The Sugar-gum Tree [Hardcover]

Patricia Wrightson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1, 1992 | Age Level: 7 and up

Best friends Sarah Bell and Penny Max learn about the nature of friendship when what they thought had been a small misunderstanding turns into a battle involving two sets of parents and the fire brigade.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Wrightson offers a whimsical addition to the canon of female friendship stories. Like most best friends their age, Sarah Bell and Penny May spend as much time at each other's houses as at their own, and nearly as much time fighting as getting along. One particular spat over the creation of a playhouse results in Sarah calling Penny a "gloop," sending the latter up a sugar-gum tree to pout. No amount of parental cajoling or forced apologies from Sarah can convince Penny to descend; even the fire department retreats in failure. In the end of course Sarah retrieves Penny and harmony is blissfully restored--until the next morning. Wrightson's jaunty text pokes good-natured fun at all of the characters: youngsters will delight in recognizing not only the fickleness of their own age group, but also the helpless frustration of parents and other grownups. Cox's sketchlike, black-and-white illustrations enliven the proceedings and impart a jocosity reminiscent of Quentin Blake. The balance between text and art makes this a suitable choice for readers not quite ready to tackle a full-length novel. Ages 7-10.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 2-4-- Sarah Bell and Penny May are best friends, and although they sometimes fight, they always make up again. One day, while building a playhouse, the girls' quarreling gets out of control, and Penny climbs up the sugar-gum tree to sulk. Unfortunately, once she is up, her pride and fear prevent her from get- ting down, even after the fire department has been summoned to the rescue. When all else fails, friendship prevails, and Sarah helps save the day. Although the scenario is a bit contrived, readers will relate to the shifting emotions so common in human relations. Quirky black-and-white illustrations break up the text of this somewhat long Australian picture book, but overall, it's drawn-out and tedious. --Anna DeWind, Milwaukee Public Library
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 7 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile; 1St Edition edition (April 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670839108
• ISBN-13: 978-0670839100
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.3 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,919,089 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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