The Better Tree Fort

February 15, 2018
Grades K-2 For Russell, his new house's huge backyard maple tree looks just right for a tree fort, and he sketches plans for it, including a balcony, slide, and skylight. Though his father admits he knows little about buildingor tree fortsafter abundant lumber-store trips and some earnest effort, Russell's fort is finished. While not quite as envisioned, to Russell, it's perfect, and that evening, they enjoy dinner and sleeping there. But the next morning, from his fort, Russell spies a bigger, more elaborate tree fort being built nearby by an entire crew, complete with a slide, turrets, and even electricity. Though Russell is initially in awe, an offhand question helps him realize that, though there will always be a better tree fort somewhere, his is still something special, because of who he built it with. Leng's playful artwork, in loose ink lines casually filled with naturalistic color washes, is a warm complement to this sweet, supportive father-and-son story. Its message of what matters mostincluding love and spending time togetheris one many readers will welcome.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2018, American Library Association.)

February 1, 2018

PreS-Gr 1-When Russell and his father move into a new house with a giant maple tree, a tree fort is on the top of Russell's to-do list, despite protestations from his father who knows nothing about building projects. Russell crafts a truly excellent list of must-haves, including a balcony, slide, and skylight. After several trips to the lumber store, a tree fort emerges. Though it looks nothing like the one the boy envisioned, he thinks it is perfect, and Russell and Dad bond over a sleepover. Then, three houses down, a boy Russell's size oversees construction of a bigger more beautiful fort with turrets and working lights, "so large, it blocked the sun." Russell is not perturbed by the more impressive tree fort and muses to his new friend that there is probably an even better fort somewhere else. This tale of father-son bonding is a fun Father's Day read, cute with a capital "c," but also monotonous and uneventful. The watercolor illustrations are nice but add little to the text because they do not demonstrate the most exciting parts of the story or take advantage of moments that might have been humorous. It is heartwarming when Russell declares Dad's tree fort perfect even though it doesn't meet his original requirements, but this newfound sagacity and respect for his dad is not substantiated by the story's content. Leng's watercolors are beautifully delicate but so muted that their child-appeal is low and sometimes somber, though the ink sketches have whimsy and delightful details. VERDICT This simple read-aloud with a sugar-sweet, feel-good ending is an additional purchase for most collections.-Lauren Younger, New York Public Library

Copyright 2018 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 15, 2018
Do-it-yourself dads rock, especially in the backyard.When Russell sees the enormous maple tree in his new backyard, he immediately thinks tree fort and draws up the plans for the structure and all its important attachments. His dad is a very willing accomplice to the project, although he's not at all sure of what to do and how to do it. After a good deal of work, the tree fort is completed. It is not anywhere near what Russell had planned, but in his eyes "It's perfect" (even without the escape slide). Father and son (both white) spend a wonderful night together in it. The next morning brings consternation to Russell when he sees a tree fort being erected in a neighbor's backyard--a very big and very fancy endeavor. It has turrets. And electricity. And an escape slide. Russell joins the boy of color to whom it belongs for a snack and learns that his father hired a construction crew. But does it have everything a better tree fort should have? Russell goes home to be with his father, who may not be the best builder but is clearly the "better dad." Kerrin's story of father-son love is endearing and warm-spirited. Leng's ink, watercolor, and pencil-crayon illustrations are softly hued, fluid, and filled with enough details to engage readers. Time together is truly wonderful for one father and son. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2018) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

July 1, 2018
Russell and his father build a simple tree fort in their new house's maple tree. While their neighbor's newly erected fort, fancy and customized, is objectively "better," the time Russell and his father spent together makes theirs more valuable. Leng captures the loving father-son relationship in a warm palette balanced with generous white space; Kerrin includes subtle moments of humor throughout the story.

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

May 1, 2018
A new house with a giant maple tree in the backyard can only mean one thing for young Russell: time to build a tree fort. Russell's father admits, I don't know much about building, but that doesn't stop the pair. And although the final design is rather simple compared to the boy's initial plans (gone are the balcony, slide, and skylight), Russell insists that it is perfect. Later, when a neighbor brings in a construction crew to erect a customized tree fort complete with turrets and slides (this dad ordered the plans, but he is nowhere to be seen), it's impossible not to compare the two. But while the neighbor's fort is objectively better, it's clear that the time Russell and his father spent together is their fort's greatest feature. Leng captures their loving relationship in a warm palette of watercolors and inks that is balanced with a generous use of white space, allowing the illustrations to feel full but uncluttered. Kerrin includes subtle moments of humor throughout the story line, as when Russell's overwhelmed father wanders through the hardware store or scratches his head in bewilderment at the piles of tools and building materials. minh l�

(Copyright 2018 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)