Oliver's Tree

December 9, 2013
Illustrator Chase debuts with a sweet yet tightly constructed story of friendship and ingenuity. Lulu (a bird), Charlie (a rabbit), and Oliver (an elephant) are playing hide and seek in the forest. But Oliver’s girth puts him at a competitive disadvantage: his friends can hide in trees and he can’t. “It’s hopeless!” says the elephant, walking away in frustration and embarrassment. “Elephants just don’t belong in trees!” Oliver’s friends are determined to include him, however, and with some clever planning and sweat equity, they build a brilliant and fully accessible tree house out of a stump that’s “Perfect for all of us!” Chase’s crisp, chipper narration never attempts to manipulate readers’ feelings, and her restraint, combined with her subtly expressive characters and the elegant prettiness of her watercolor and ink drawings, lends the book a distinctly British lilt that inoculates it against treacliness. The “Awww” that will all but inevitably accompany the final scene—a rousing game of pirate pretend play—is thoroughly deserved. Ages 3–5. Agent: Teresa Kietlinski, Prospect Agency.

January 1, 2014
It's no fun for anyone when someone is left out! Baby elephant Oliver has two very good friends: Lulu, an owlet, and Charlie, a bunny. Playing outside is something they love to do, but the happy trio runs into trouble while trying to climb trees, because Oliver just can't manage due to his bulk. Warm, appealing watercolors defined with pen and ink and containing just the right amount of detail show the three friends as they patiently search for a tree that is perfect for all of them. Simple text describes their trial and error, as they find trees that are too small, too weak or too tall. "It's hopeless!" wails Oliver. "Elephants just don't belong in trees!" When Oliver, exhausted by their efforts, succumbs to sleep, Lulu and Charlie hatch a plan to solve the problem by using their own unique talents. Will they succeed and provide Oliver with a happy surprise? No doubt! Suffused with warmth and gentle humor, this deceptively simple story demonstrates the power of friendship, the importance of working together and problem-solving, while simultaneously introducing basic concepts (high/low, tall/short) in a pleasing, organic way. Young children will root for the three friends, enjoy the mild suspense and delight in the very satisfying ending. As gentle and unassuming as Oliver, this story thoroughly charms. (Picture book. 2-5)

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February 1, 2014

PreS-Gr 1-An adorable elephant, a sweet-faced rabbit, and a pudgy little owl play hide-and-seek in the forest. A problem arises when Lulu declares that trees are the best hiding places to hide, but Oliver, an elephant, is too big to join in the play. Saddened, he walks away from his friends, finds a large tree stump, and takes a nap. While he is asleep, his friends decorate the stump around Oliver, using branches, flowers, leaves, and grass to make a tree house that is big enough to accommodate them all. The pen-and-ink and watercolor illustrations are muted and soft, and the text is spare and sweet. A quiet testament to friendship and creative problem solving.-Jennifer Miskec, Longwood University, Farmville, VA

Copyright 2014 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2014
Preschool-K In her debut offering, Chase effectively captures how friendship warms the heart. Three cuddly animal friendsLulu, Oliver, and Charlielove to play hide-and-seek outside. But what fun is playing if they can't all play together? Oliver (an elephant) cannot reach his friends' hiding spots up in the trees, and the trio grows determined to find a tree he can play in, too. They quickly learn that most trees aren't quite right for elephants, and Oliver leaves the search feeling very sad, and naps on a tree stump alone. When he awakens, he discovers a surprise that's just right for all of them. Lulu and Charlie's displays of creativity, collaboration, and compromise as they help their friend clearly model what it means to be a good pal, and the artwork, which utilizes gentle brushstrokes and stenciling, further highlights friendship's simple pleasures. An excellent story for little ones at bedtime and for sharing anytime with beginning readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2014, American Library Association.)