Thea's Tree [Hardcover]

Alison Jackson (Author), Janet Pedersen (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 6 and up | Grade Level: 1 and up

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.

Editorial Reviews

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

Review

Save a spot on the shelves for this one...or maybe not--it will always be checked out. -- Kirkus

This is a funny story that kids will love, and teachers may find useful to include in fairy-tale or letter-writing units. -- School Library Journal

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 6 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Juvenile; 1st edition (May 15, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525474439
• ISBN-13: 978-0525474432
• Product Dimensions: 12.1 x 9.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #995,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Book!, March 17, 2009

By 

Cheryl L. Dishon (Baltimore, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Thea's Tree (Hardcover)

Thea's Tree is a vibrant sendup of a well-known fairy tale (and don't worry, I won't spoil your fun by revealing which one). The illustrations are fun and lively, and the book is presented in a series of letters which progress to reveal a myriad of interesting career choices. A few of the occupations mentioned are botanist, curator, and orchestra director. Thea enthusiastically moves through the story and leaves the reader looking forward to another, so I hope Ms. Jackson writes more books featuring this spunky character.