Little Trouble in Tall Tree

by Michael Fertik

Beneath the peaceful exterior of the leafy town of Tall Tree, the brutal baby gangster underworld is simmering to a hard boil. Squeezy the Cheeks, undisputed leader of the long ruling North Wood crew, is facing the toughest challenge of his career: his archnemesis Harry the Rash, who rules the Poopypants Gang with an iron rattle, is making a play for Squeezy's territory. Mama's Boy, the freshest recruit into Squeezy's mob of infant thugs, is unwittingly thrust into the middle of the massive heist Squeezy must pull off to keep himself and his crew in their seat of power. Everything is at stake for the North Wood Gang. But can Mama's Boy keep it together to make the score, or will the mysterious redhead he encounters at Story Time distract him at his most important hour? Join Mama's Boy as he journeys into the dark underbelly of the baby hoodlum wars and is forced to change his worldview forever.

Genres: Fiction

Kindle Edition

First published November 9, 2012

About the author

Michael Fertik is a published fiction author, poet, produced film writer, and playwright. His poetry, short fiction, and novellas have recently appeared in Minor Lits; december; The Write Launch; Eclectica; Litro; Cease, Cows; Feminine Collective; etc.. His writing has won fiction, poetry, and film prizes and includes a New York Times Bestseller. He lives in Palo Alto, California, where he is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur and investor.

Reviews

[Donald Armfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you take the movie Look Who's Talking, name some babies Dick Tracy styled names and thrown in heist. You will get an idea of what this book is all about. A laughing fit that have us crapping in our diapers if we were babies again.

The Poopypants Gang is trying to score the white (colostrum) from the day care and sell it on the streets. The new baby in town Mama's Boy becomes the head honcho along side; Squeezy, Daisy the redhead, Ninja Spit and few others. Plan the heist to dump all the white before the Poopypants Gang get to it.

I had some laughs and will love to read a sequel to these characters, the ending giving off that there should be one in the making. Change your diapers, folks because shit is about to get messy with laughter.

[Julia Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Little Trouble In Tall Tree, Michael Fertik has invented a new genre: Baby Noir Mystery. A wicked blend of Disney meets The Godfather in Go the F**k to Sleep, Little Trouble In Tall Tree is a children’s book for adults that lures parents into a secret baby gangster underworld that exists right under their unknowing eyes. Set in beautiful Tall Tree (Palo Alto), and ripe with cynical wit, hard-boiled humor, babies and boobs, this page-turner novella is a must-read for every seasoned as well as aspiring, ready to laugh, celebrate, and wince at the pleasures, pains, and perils of parenthood. Watch out for these cute little monsters.

The illustrations are all original and hand-drawn, reflecting a tribute to true noir chiaroscuro style.

[Victoria Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not the novel I thought it would be. Based on the cover alone, it simply looked like an interesting children's book. This is definitely not the case. However, it was still a fun read. I also enjoyed the fact that it was based off this whole fantasy world that Fertik built around his son, and all the things he thought his son could possibly be doing and imagining himself. I think the only thing that I would have liked more would have been more illustrations. They were simple yet very telling of the story and the events that were discussed .



There isn't really much to say about this story other than if you want a quick laugh then it's something that you should be reading. It is a very odd genre, but one that I would like to see develop more.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disclaimer: I received this book in a First Reads giveaway

I wasn't sure what to expect when I received this book, though I was intrigued by the concept of "Baby Noir".

The story has its funny moments, and I absolutely adore the humourous illustrations... but it's too filled with drool, bottles, and poopy diapers for my taste. I couldn't help but think back to our preschooler's babyhood and compare her to these infant troublemakers. Aside from the "deviousness" bit, she wasn't anything like these droolers so it was hard for me to relate.

Anyway, this book is like a cartoon with baby characters creating havoc (with adult voiceovers, of course). If you enjoy that sort of entertainment, this story will be right up your alley.

[Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a pretty funny story but I couldn't place it in an age group.
It had some bad words in it and the vocabulary was a little old for elementary
and yet its too young for older youth.
It was well written and if it was modified would be a great book for elementary. It would also be a good chapter book for some of the early readers.
I believe that babies have their own way of communicating and they are more intelligent than adults can possibly realize. I don't think they are quite that advanced in thinking nor that
negative. But it was still quite humorous if it was cleaned up.
I won this n a Goodread drawing and appreciate it.

[Jomin Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah!!! So this is what babies do...I knew it...lol I enjoyed the book. It was funny, a one sit read, really short(but it's good that it's that way). This book is an amusing thought on what we all wonder, what do babies say and do. We hear the gurgles and all that but does it mean anything lol. It's one of those books that are silly but put a smile on your face anyway.

[Tania · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different

Two rival baby gangs vie for breast milk at a local mother's class. And by baby gangs I literally mean gangs made up of babies. Squeeze the Cheeks recruits newcomer Mama's Boy for the showdown. He thinks he's ready, but then there's this dame...

Baby noir is not for me. The writing was great and the author was fully committed to his characters being babies. I admire how accurately he built up the baby underworld complete with dirty diapers and a penchant for colostrum, even as the entire bad baby shtick soured my stomach. The humor wasn't for me, but it is a well-crafted story.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Real fast read. Book about baby gangsters

[Mihaela Day · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little Trouble in Tall Tree by Michael Fertik is a beautifully written fun short story with beautiful illustrations for adults. Michael Fertick created a baby hoodlum world with characters that will have you rolling on the floor laughing: Squeezy the Cheeks – the leader of the North Wood crew, Harry the Rash – the leader of the Poopypants Gang, Mama’s Boy, etc…

The plot is really good with surprising twists and the humor is great…I would love to read a few sequels to this book…

[LeeAnn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Don't let the cover fool you, this is not a children's book. Not was that the author's intent. Babies truly are experts at getting what they want. Fertik's "baby noir" twist is meant to have some fun with that. I can see this as an eye-opening gift for new or expecting parents who might otherwise never suspect what's truly behind these distracting chubby cheeks.

If you want a book suitable for children but along similar lines, I suggest BOSS BABY by Marla Frazee.

[Annie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny and cute! This is a book that parents -- and even adults without kids -- will get a kick out of. It's the first in Michael Fertik's baby noir series -- a children's book for grownups that takes you inside a secret infant hoodlum world, where baby gangsters are on the loose. Reading the Kindle edition was delightful!

[Angie Stout · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this ebook. It is entertaining and puts into action what we think toddlers might really be doing behind all of those smiles, cries, and gurgles. Cleverly written and inspired by the author's own son. Looking forward to the next book in the series!

[ZeN · Rating 2 out of 5]

Great concept executed poorly. Disappointing.