Through the Looking Glass Children's Book Reviews
The Man who lived in a hollow Tree
Illustrator: Cor Hazelaar
Picture Book
For ages 4 to 7
Simon and Schuster, 1996 ISBN: 978-0689861697
There once was an old carpenter called Harlan Burch who made all kinds of things out of wood including tables, chairs, toys, and coffins. He would go out into the woods to cut down trees. For every tree that he cut down Harlan would plant two young trees.
One day Harlan was out in the woods when he noticed a huge old sycamore tree that was big enough ""for a bear to live in."" It was also big enough to serve as a wonderful home for an old carpenter and that was how Harlan came to live in the tree.
Then something very strange started to happen and Harlan's life took a dramatic turn.
This is a wonderful retelling of an old Kentucky folk tale. The story is not only entertaining, but it also explores the idea that a forest is a place that should be nurtured and loved. If you take care of a forest, you never know what it might give you in return.
Cor Hazelaar's delightful acrylic paintings perfectly compliment the lyrical text in this unique picture book.
