Author: Shira Boss
Illustrator: Jamey Christoph
Hardcover: 40 pages
Age Range: 5 – 8 years
Publisher: Sterling (7 April 2018)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1454920718
ISBN-13: 978-1454920717
Product Dimensions: 28.4 x 1.3 x 21.8 cm
Distrubuted by GMC Publications
The Blurb
As a shy boy growing up in New York City. Bob Redman loved nothing more than dashing to Central Park after school and climbing up into the trees. High in the leaves, he felt calm; he had a secret place where he could slip away from the city’s rushing crowds.
He began building his treehouses using scavenged materials, careful never to harm the trees themselves The first treehouse was just a platform, and when it was mysteriously taken down. Bob simply started a second one. For eight years, each time one of his houses was removed, he’d build another, more elaborate than the last. This is the fascinating true story of Bob’s Central Park treehouses – his cleverly designed hideaways in the middle off the bustling city.
First Impressions
This is a sturdy hardback book with a dust cover. The lovely illustrations cover every page. The illustrator, Jamey Christoph draws his inspiration from vintage advertising and travel posters. Each page has just a few lines of text which is complimented by the art.
The Story
We all loved the story of the quirky little boy who preferred to view life from a tree branch. It was so much better than the bustling busy streets of New York, or the small crowded classrooms at school.
As he spent more time in the trees he began building treehouses, starting simply and becoming more elaborate. Each one was eventually dismantled, but it never discouraged him from building more.
The story draws you in, making you feel how much simpler life is in a tree, amongst the squirrels and birds and watching the world go by.
As the little boy grows up his Mother becomes concerned with his tree addiction and tells him he needs to get a job. It’s time for the treehouse making boy to become a man and join the grown up world of work.
The story has a lovely little twist at the end which I won’t reveal.
True Story
The book is based on a true story and the author is now married to the treehouse builder of Central park. They met when she needed someone to prune her tree.
You can buy Up in the Leaves on Amazon for £8.51, current RRP £12.99
Disclosure: This post contains an Amazon affiliate link, should you choose to use it and purchase it will cost you no extra but may earn me a little cash. If you prefer not to use it you can find the book to purchase here.
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