Thea's Tree - Hardcover

Jackson, Alison

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0525474439 ISBN 13: 9780525474432

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers, 2008

Synopsis

Thea?s science project grows unusually tall in this funny twist on the classic Jack fairy tale.

Thea decides to plant some old bean seeds and watch them grow as her science project. And grow they do?into a giant beanstalk. Savvy young readers will recognize elements from the classic ?Jack? fairy tale, such as a harp and golden egg, but the haughty grown-ups that Thea writes to for help do not. Thea receives letters and comical advice from a plethora of dim ?experts,? ranging from botanist to symphony conductor to zoologist. Thea?s Tree playfully combines curriculum areas, including science, language arts, and storytelling into a clever tale kids will love.

About this title

About the Author:

Alison Jackson is the award-winning artist who created the BBC TV series Double Take and the internationally acclaimed Schweppes advertising campaign. After studying sculpture and then Fine Art Photography at the Royal College of Art in London, Alison's work, has for the last five years, astonished and sometimes shocked audiences on both sides of the Atlantic.

From Booklist:

When her teacher assigns a “Future Scientist Project,” Thea gets right to work, planting a seed in her front yard and observing what happens next. Puzzled by unexpected developements such as bubbling dirt, phenomenal vertical growth of a tree-like plant, and the sudden appearance of an egg, a harp, and coins apparently made of gold, Thea writes to local experts, from a botanist to a banker to a tree removal firm. The story is told through her letters, which put forth theories about what’s happening, as well as the experts’ replies. Adding greatly to the deadpan humor are Pedersen’s ink-and-watercolor illustrations, which feature distinctive, craggy lines and pleasing hues. As the story progresses, the scenes at Thea’s home grow increasingly frantic, contrasting nicely with the formal tone of her letters. Children who know their folktales will figure out the plant’s identity before the end, but anyone can enjoy the chaos created in this amusing picture book. Grades 1-3. --Carolyn Phelan

About this edition

• Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0525474439
• ISBN 13: 9780525474432
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Pedersen Janet