The Gumdrop Tree [Library Binding]

Elizabeth Spurr (Author), Julia Gorton (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1994 | Age Level: 5 and up

When her father gives her a bag of colorful, sugary gumdrops to eat, a little girl decides to plant them instead.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Pictures of candies so perfectly smooth that they might tumble off the page add flavor to this otherwise slight tale. Expressing herself in mildly affected, Hemingway-esque declaratives, the narrator refuses to eat the bag of gumdrops her father has brought her ("They looked so sweet and good.... They would taste so sweet and good. But then they would be all gone"). She plants them instead, hoping that a tree bearing the chewy treats will sprout. A sapling does grow, its boughs laden with candy-however, the book's final illustration shows a tree hung with white strings, from which gumdrops dangle. (Children will wonder how and why any tree grew at all, if not from the buried treats.) The real interest here lies in debut illustrator Gorton's stylized art, an eccentrix mix of geometric shapes and almost Botero-like distortions, all airbrushed to a mechanical polish. Delicate shading takes the edge off the palette, which is dominated by strong aquas, mint-greens, yellows and reds. Ages 3-6.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

Kindergarten-Grade 1?With its bright, angular, airbrushed acrylic illustrations, this bouncy first-person narrative will make a great story-time read-aloud. A little girl plays with a bag of gumdrops given to her by her father. She can't bear the thought of eating them, because if she does, they'll be all gone. Then she has an idea?she will plant the candies and grow a gumdrop tree. She then waters and cultivates them patiently. Finally one seedling sprouts. After a while, she gives up?the tree is doing well, but it bears no sweets. She still checks on it now and then and, one wonderful day, it is literally covered with sugary drops. Of course, she eats them. In the final illustration, readers see that a couple of gumdrops remain painstakingly tied to the branches with white thread (presumably by two loving parents). The book is attractively designed; the large, bold print will appeal to beginning readers. A fun fantasy to satisfy every sweet tooth.?Jan Shepherd Ross, Dixie Elementary Magnet School, Lexington, KY
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Library Binding: 1 pages
• Publisher: Hyperion (Juv) (October 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786820047
• ISBN-13: 978-0786820047
• Product Dimensions: 9.9 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,959,352 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Born in Glendale, California, Elizabeth graduated in Journalism at the University of Southern California. She was a newspaper editor, then an advertising copywriter before retiring to raise five children. Her first picture book, Mrs. Minetta's Carpool, was published in 1985. Since then she has produced many notable books for children.

Elizabeth has taught a number of classes in picture book writing, has spoken at a number of conferences, and often visits schools. She is married to Jim McCoy and lives in Cayucos, CA.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Gumdrop Tree, September 16, 2005

A Kid's Review

This review is from: The Gumdrop Tree (Hardcover)

This book is so adorable for kids age 3-6. It is about a young girl and her adventures with gumdrops. I reccomend this book for any parents looking for easy reading for their children.

5.0 out of 5 stars What a sweet book!, January 7, 2007

By 

Lucy (North Carolina) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Gumdrop Tree (Hardcover)

Not only do my children absolutely adore this book, but it teaches so much. It teaches basic skills such as color and shape and pattern. It more importantly teaches patience and perseverence. What a captivating little book. I just happened to have gumdrops left over from our gingerbread house project. I drew the same shapes as the little girl and we began to explore. My children are absolutely ready to plant some of their gumdrops and water, watch and wait.