Customer Reviews

The Shrinking of Treehorn

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"The Shrinking of Treehorn" is a children's book that appeals to adult as much as children. It represents a somewhat magical story of the kindergarten set. Grown-ups see it as a story about adults so involved in getting through their days that they don't realize that Treehorn is truly shrinking.

The scene in which Treehorn is sent to the principal's office is one of the funniest views of schools that exists.

This is really a top-ranked children's book. It is very cleverly written. It shows nicely and humorously how people -even when they live close together- can be completely blind to each other. I have noticed that not only children can readily identify with the drawings and the story, but also that adults like it very much. Indeed, I have great pleasure in gifting it to my best friends, who all like it, without exception. The text and the drawings are perfect in their own right and do perfectly match each other. The drawings are most funny and to the point. Highly recommended!

This was one of my favorite books as a child, and nearly 20 years later, it's still high on my list. When I first read it, I was amazed because it was completely different from anything else I had ever been given to read. I think all kids have endured the problem of trying to get adults to listen to them and take them seriously, and Treehorn's somewhat absurd quest to get someone to notice his shrinking is easy to identify with. The book may have no "moral", but so what? Kids need books that enchant and delight them--if you only give them didactic and "proper" tales, reading becomes a boring chore. If you weren't fortunate enough to read this as a child, make up for lost time now.

This is a book I loved as a child, because it was so bizarre and interesting and mysterious! I don't think the book is really meant to have a message---it's meant more just to be a strange and memorable tale! I love all the little details about Treehorn we find out---that he has 56 different favorite TV shows, what his cereal send-away collection consists of, etc! Even my 2 year old was enchanted by the pictures---he called a page with several odd dogs on it "monsters" and said "I like those scary monster dogs!" My 5 year old loved how the bus driver thought Treehorn was Treehorn's younger brother, also called Treehorn! Read it because it's fun and great to look at!

The big point here is about adult distractability. Treehorn is shrinking and his parents and teachers are mostly concerned with what this might mean to them, after they are forced to notice his condition. The subtlety of this may not register with little kids but they'll love the fun idea of a kid shrinking and having to cope and the drawings by Gorey are funny and wonderful. (If you are familiar with the opening titles on the PBS series Mystery you know Gorey). Intelligent little kids will love this book, which is a little more complex than things aimed at them these days. Intelligent adults will love reading it them. (The speech by the smarmy principal is classic.) Get this book and keep it. If you've read this review this far you are the right audience for it.

Treehorn's parents are so wrapped up in their own problems that they don't notice Treehorn is shrinking, Neither do any of the other adults. This speaks to the sad fact that many kids feel they are invisible to grown-ups. However, the book is lighthearted and fun, with terrific illustrations. One you will remember for a long time.

We were thrilled to find this childhood book. My grown siblings and I had fond memories of reading it with my dad and bought it for him for Christmas. It is a hard to find book and we were surpised to find it in a new hardcover. Very intriguing pictures and story about poor Treehorn who myseriously begins shrinking. Our children range in age 1 to 13. The books is a lenghty picture book and seemed best suited for prek-2nd grade, although our 4th graders seemed to understand its humor best.

Very memorable story. i didn't read the book, but i remember watching a cartoon version on TV. why is it memorable? well, firstly, the name Treehorn! it was during half term (vacation) when i saw it, and when i went back to school, a friend came out with a very memorable quote, in North American drawl "Treehorn is shrinking!" and i just burst into hysterics! Cool stuff! i will have to buy this book!

Having found this book on a recomendation list by a German (!) literature professor, I ordered it not knowing it is a classic. the sense of humour, though sometimes lost on younger children, is wonderful, actually reminding me of the British sense of humour. I can only advise all adults to read this book, it's an eyeopener to our communication skills.

As a child I loved this book so did the adults who read it to me.