A new work by Bologna Ragazzi Award-winning author Kim Ji-an!
French rights sold!
Following Rose Mansion and My Way Choux Cream Bread, a lovely story blending gentle nature with fragrant confections.
A sweetness that can only be enjoyed in autumn.
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"When a sweet scent wafts in the autumn breeze, that means the Cinnamon Tree Confectionery is open."

A child and their dog, Bongbong, who have gone on an autumn camping trip, are drawn into the forest by a sweet smell, reminiscent of cotton candy and caramel. They spot a squirrel hurrying somewhere and follow it, arriving at the base of a cinnamon tree. A snake, a hedgehog, and a bear have already arrived early. Shortly after, with a creaking sound, a door opens, and the Cinnamon Tree Confectionery appears from within the tree. Open only during the season when the autumn leaves are at their deepest, this place is filled with sweets made from special recipes, such as 'Milky Way Cream Donuts', 'Yawn Cheesecake', and 'Nap Candies'. The Cinnamon Tree Pâtissier has baked them with care for the guests facing the long winter nights ahead. The animal friends warmly welcome the child and Bongbong, and together they joyfully eat the sweet and fragrant treats. Then, the animals ask what they paid for their sweets. The bear brought a jar full of honey, and the squirrel gathered a large collection of acorns and tree nuts. It seems you can eat as much as you like, but if you don't pay, something terrible will happen. Can the child and Bongbong, who came empty-handed, safely pay their dues and return home?

A small universe full of stories is here.
Discover the nature around you.

Have you ever passed by a cinnamon tree in autumn? When its round leaves begin to turn yellow, it emits a very sweet fragrance. This is due to a component called maltol, which is why it's sometimes called the 'Caramel Tree' in English. Cinnamon Tree Confectionery is said to be a story that started from this scent. Looking at a cinnamon tree on a walking path, the author wondered, 'Where does this scent come from?', and this thought led to the imagination of little fairies making caramel.
Cinnamon Tree Confectionery is a picture book that helps us discover the nature around us, which is easy to overlook, and draws out the stories within it through imagination. Taking a closer look at a single cinnamon tree encountered on a familiar path reveals a child's adventure in the forest and a fantasy tale of fairies baking sweets using hibernation recipes. Through this book, I hope children will pay attention to the nature surrounding them and learn to discover it for themselves. I hope they become curious about the names of a single blade of grass by the roadside, a flower blooming in a garden bed, a tree rooted in a park—taking a step closer to observe, and often encountering and imagining their own small universes filled with stories.

A lovely world where sweet feelings sprout.
The picture book garden of author Kim Ji-an.

Looking at Kim Ji-an's picture books leaves one feeling refreshed in body and mind. Watching her protagonists navigate challenges with cheerful optimism—like the seven squirrels singing "Acorns! Acorns!" trying to fill an empty basket with gigantic acorns (Acorn Picnic), the 'Choux Breads' who, despite lacking cream at the moment, each find their own 'cream' and fulfill their dream of becoming cream puffs (My Way Bread Bread Bread Bread), or the field mice who revive the desolate garden in place of the weary owner of Rose Mansion (Rose Mansion)—inspires a sense of endearing courage and strength.
In Kim Ji-an's picture book garden, where things both small and large bloom together vibrantly, readers can enjoy a pleasant rest. I hope we can continue to meet fragrantly, for a long time, in this world where sweet feelings take root.

Kim Ji-an

She has written and illustrated the Four Seasons Picnic series, starting with Acorn Picnic, as well as Tulip Hotel, Rose Mansion, If You Keep Running, My Way Bread Bread Bread Bread, and Tiger Noodles.

Author's Note：
Have you ever walked past a cinnamon tree in autumn? It gives off a very sweet scent.
That's why, I hear, it's called a "Caramel Tree" in English.
There's a cinnamon tree on my usual walking path, and I've always been curious.
I wondered, who makes this scent? The secret is hidden in this book.