Tree House in a Storm

by Rachelle Burk, Rex Schneider (Illustrator)

Kenny climbed trees as soon as he could walk, and a few years later, with the help of his little sister Allison, builds a tree house where the two of them rule as king and queen. But their reign promises to be a short one. Located in New Orleans, Kenny and Allisons tree house stands directly in the path of Hurricane Betsy! This touching tale about the devastation from severe weather events is sure to warm your heart. Learn with Kenny and Allison that even the worst storm can end with a rainbow.

Genres: Childrens

40 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

Reviews

[Yvonne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-written book tells the story of two children, Kenny and Allison, who built a backyard tree house in which they spent much of their childhood playing and pretending.

When Hurricane Betsy hit the area, the family had to evacuate. When they returned, Kenny and Allison found that their tree house had been destroyed; but fortunately the family's home was not harmed. Kenny planted an acorn from the old tree and it eventually grew into a sturdy oak that held a new tree house for his children to enjoy when they visited their grandparents.

What fond memories this book brought to me! As I read this story, I could see myself and my cousins playing in the tree fort we had built in the woods behind our house. I remembered the fun times I had as a young mother building a playhouse for my kids to spent hours imagining and dreaming.

I was surprised to learn that Rachelle Burk, the author of this children's book, had actually survived not one, but two, storms in New Orleans: Hurricane Betsy in 1965 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The delightful illustrations by Rex Schneider make this book come alive. Highly recommended as a story that kids and adults will cherish.

Yvonne Perry
Author of The Sid Series ~ A Collection of Holistic Stories for Children

[Charlotte Bennardo · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tree house. A storm. Neither will last forever. A touching story about hope and rebuilding.

[Christina Dendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

TREE HOUSE begins as a delightful dive into the maker energy and imaginative play of treehouses and then takes a poignant turn as the family weathers a destructive hurricane. The circular structure highlights the strength to be found in family and the planting and making of new things in place of those lost.