Bartholomew and the Bright Lichen is a heartfelt, beautifully illustrated picture book about finding hope, friendship, and purpose in the unlikeliest of places.In a quiet medieval village, young Bartholomew feels invisible. Bullied by the other children and weighed down by the sadness at home, he escapes into the forest-the one place where he feels safe. Among old stones, whispering trees, and tiny forest creatures, Bartholomew discovers a sense of belonging he has never known.One day, a curious mixture of mushrooms and algae he collected transforms into something extraordinary: a glowing orange lichen unlike anything in the world. This small miracle sets in motion a chain of events that changes his life forever. A traveling merchant-a painter with an eye for the unusual-recognizes the magic in Bartholomew's discovery and teaches him how to turn the luminous lichen into brilliant pigment.With new skills, newfound confidence, and the first true kindness he has ever received, Bartholomew begins to build a life beyond the village that shunned him. Yet he never forgets the forest that healed him-or the tiny friends who helped him without ever speaking a word.Bartholomew and the Bright Lichen celebrates: ✨ The beauty of nature✨ Friendship and small acts of wonder✨ Creativity and perseverance✨ Finding light in dark times✨ Hope growing in unexpected places