Customer Reviews

Tree House in a Storm

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Who can't relate to a child's need to create a special place of his or her own? Kenny, the boy in this story, is lucky enough to have a generous tree in his back yard, a sister to join him in his treetop kingdom, and a mother who sends lunch up on a pulley. Rachelle Burk has a special gift for understanding children's fears - the monsters - without giving into them. And when disaster does strike in the form of a hurricane, Kenny copes with a supportive family and a long-term plan. This book comforts with its vision of generational stability and resilience of spirit.

Rachelle Burk takes us into the treetops without ever going over the top. This lyrical book evokes the magic of secret forts and lazy summer days while at the same time taking on childhood fear and natural disaster in a non-threatening way. This transgenerational tale beautifully depicts the tenuous balance between dreams and disaster -- and the tenacious human spirit that dwells in both. The illustrations perfectly capture the spirit of a very specific time and place -- New Orleans in the 1960's. But the resiliency depicted in the story is timeless, as any Hurrican Katrina survivor can attest.

Tree House in a Storm, written by first time author Rachelle Burk and illustrated by Rex Schneider, is a masterful blend of classic story telling and compelling artwork. The story of Kenny and Allison's tree house will remind you of the joys of being young, of being filled with imagination and wonderment...and unfortunately the feeling of loss for something you love. Rachelle Burk's words beautifully lead you through this heartwarming tale, complimented by Rex Schneider's wonderfully dramatic and slyly whimsical illustrations (Hidden frogs anyone?). All in all, this is not just a story of childhood loss, but a story of the universal promise of hope.

My daughter enjoyed this book and I often find her reading it or searching the illustrations for hidden things. Great book, great illustrations and has a message for all.
I highly recommend this book.

This well-written book tells the story of two children, Kenny and Allison, who built a backyard tree house in which they spent much of their childhood playing and pretending.

When Hurricane Betsy hit the area, the family had to evacuate. When they returned, Kenny and Allison found that their tree house had been destroyed; but fortunately the family's home was not harmed. Kenny planted an acorn from the old tree and it eventually grew into a sturdy oak that held a new tree house for his children to enjoy when they visited their grandparents.

What fond memories this book brought to me! As I read this story, I could see myself and my cousins playing in the tree fort we had built in the woods behind our house. I remembered the fun times I had as a young mother building a playhouse for my kids to spent hours imagining and dreaming.

I was surprised to learn that Rachelle Burk, the author of this children's book, had actually survived not one, but two, storms in New Orleans: Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The delightful illustrations by Rex Schneider make this book come alive. Highly recommended as a story that kids and adults will cherish.

As a school counselor, I am always on the lookout for new books to read in the classrooms. This book is perfect for starting discussions in classrooms and small groups or when counseling a student individually. It covers the concepts of "not your fault" and "it will get better". There are inspiring messages of recovery, renewal and tradition. I highly recommend "Tree House in a Storm" for any situations where a child's security has been shaken.

"Tree House in a Storm" is a nonfiction children's book that tells the actual story of 9-year old Kenny and his sister Allison's tree house built in a huge oak tree that did not survive the path of Hurricane Betsy in September, 1965. Kenny and Allison loved their tree house and had many happy memories of playing in it. Though Kenny especially is devastated when Hurricane Betsy destroys his beloved tree house, he is grateful that their home was spared, and he plants an acorn to grow into another oak that will one day hold a tree house for his children. The experience of preparing for and surviving a hurricane is accurately pictured in the sensitive illustrations of Rex Schneider. Author Rachelle Burk also lived to experience the loss of her childhood home to Hurricane Katrina, in recent times. "Tree House in a Storm" is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and will be a helpful tool for children to explain how natural disasters can be endured and survived. "Tree House in a Storm" can be read to children age 6 and up.

This is a wonderful story about two children who build a tree house and play in it. But this is no ordinary tree house, it is a place where the imagination flows and dreams come true. Then one day, a hurricane hits and takes out the tree house. With hope, the children plant a new tree and what evolves years later is a new tree and an opportunity for the now grown children to build another tree house to share with their children. This story was warm and yet heart wrenching. The story is based off of experiences the author had in hurricanes Betsy and Katrina. Rachelle did a fantastic job creating a story that can appeal to many people in different ways and can touch their hearts. It is a wonderful tale filled with hope, resiliency and courage. When people pull together it is amazing what can be done. I think children can learn a lot from this story. When a catastrophe happens it is easy to fall apart, but with the help of neighbors, family and friends, it is easier to put the pieces of life back together again and move on to a better future. And though we can never forget the past, because it is so much a part of us and who we are, it does make us stronger. With hope there is nothing that can't be created or rebuilt, and love strengthens the bonds of friendship and family, pulling us together in a show of unity.