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The Boat in the Tree

by Tim Wynne-Jones; John Shelley, illus.

The Boat in the Tree, like most picture books, functions on at least two levels. The overt story, told by a young boy, is seemingly straightforward: “The day Mom and Dad went to pick up my new brother, I built a raft,” he begins. The story he tells evokes his growing fascination with boats, but that interest is clearly his way of escaping from and reacting to his newly adopted brother. He builds models, fantasizes about dramatic sea adventures, and yearns for a boat all his own. Interspersed with this overt story are short, cartoonlike interactions between the narrator and his brother, with speech bubbles animating simply and dramatically the elder brother’s unwillingness to accept his new sibling.

There’s a subtle psychological accuracy here that’s thoughtful and honest, but somehow the dynamic between the narrator’s imaginings, the new brother’s intrusion into those fantasies, and the more disruptive engagements between brothers doesn’t satisfy me. For me, the problem lies in the illustrations, which, although clearly influenced by a range of fine work (Japanese art, Maurice Sendak, Phoebe Gilman), don’t bring the text the unity and coherence it needs; they are too cartoonish, and the varying styles and influences don’t blend as they might.

Still, Shelley’s illustrations have their moments — I love the energy and emotion of his angry waters, and their symbolic psychological upheaval is quite eloquent.

Wynne-Jones’ text, of course, is simple and subtle and very winning. It’s no surprise when quietly, very quietly, the brothers begin to work together to help the older one realize his dream of having a boat.

 

Reviewer: Marnie Parsons

Publisher: Boyds Mills Press/Stewart House Publishing

DETAILS

Price: $17.95

Page Count: 32 pp

Format: Cloth

ISBN: 978-1-932425-49-9

Released: Feb.

Issue Date: 2007-4

Categories: Picture Books

Age Range: 3-7

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