The Chairs: A Story About the Power of Community

By Author / Illustrator

Britta Teckentrup

Genre

Personal Growth

Age range(s)

Publisher

Prestel

ISBN

9783791376851

Format

Hardcover

Published

08-09-2026

Synopsis

In her most timely story to date, Britta Teckentrup tells a warm and deeply felt tale of belonging, exclusion, and the power of community.

One day, a yellow chair appears in a sunlit forest clearing - and nobody knows how it got there. Then another arrives, and another. As the clearing fills with creatures of every kind, a tender and joyful home takes shape, built on the simple pleasure of sharing a space with others.

But when exclusionary signs begin to appear overnight, that spirit is put to the test - and the animals must find the strength to reclaim what they have built together.

With her characteristic layered textures, glowing forest light, and richly populated scenes that reward slow looking, Teckentrup transforms a deceptively simple setting into a fully realized world. Funny, touching, and genuinely wise, with one particularly unforgettable scene involving a very large bear and a pair of woolly socks, The Chairs speaks directly to experiences children know from their own lives: the sting of being left out, the resolve it takes to stand up for others, and the joy of a community that welcomes all.

A beautiful new picture book from acclaimed author and illustrator Britta Teckentrup. The Chairs serves as a complementary pairing with the author's bestselling title The Swing. Thoughtful, moving and wise, this picture book is perfect for readers young and old.

A wonderfully produced hardback book using premium grade paper and ink. An evocative picture book that conjures an imaginary forest clearing for children to learn about acceptance, cooperation and resilience in the face of adversity.

Spread from The Chairs by Britta Teckentrup

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