Another Review at MyShelf.Com

The Talking Tree
A Selfish Parody
Shrill Travesty
Illustrated by Lucy Ruth Cummins

Simon & Schuster
October 19, 2010 / ISBN 9781442407633
Children’s / Ages 4-8 / Humor
Amazon

Reviewed by Bob Walch

At first glance, this picture book is seemingly aimed at children, but it doesn’t take long to realize this story is far more appropriate for an older audience.

We all know the story of the selfless tree that gives and gives and gives just to make sure one little boy is happy. Flip that idea and you have this story. The child pictured in this cautionary tale is a real loser. He uses the tree’s twigs to poke his sister and takes the acorns that lie on the ground and throws them at senior citizens. As the text points out, the kid is a “loser” and a “real jerk”.

As the child grows into adulthood, his behavior doesn’t change. He sets fires with the tree’s leaves and does a number of incorrigible things that eventually land him in prison.

One day the miscreant returns as an old man and, using a chain saw, he cuts down the tree. But, the tree does have the last laugh, in a manner of speaking. Commenting on the weird ending, the author writes, “I have no idea if the tree is happy about this or not.”

I have to think that the author’s name is as much a “put on” as the story itself but, no matter, it does capture the story’s essence. Although I would not make this bedtime reading for a young child, I would purchase this parody for an older youngster or an adult. Why? Because bizarre as it is, this is a funny book and the illustrations reinforce the author’s offbeat sense of humor!

Reviewer's Note:

Reviewed 2011
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