In the Tree House by Andrew Larsen illustrated by Dušan Petričić

"It's hot. Really hot. I crunch on an ice cube to cool off. There's more ice melting in the bowl beside me. I can see the whole neighborhood from up here. It's pretty nice. There are lots of big, old trees. But there's only one tree house."

The family have moved to a new house and the best thing for the two brothers is the discovery of a huge tree just perfect for the building of a treehouse. The boys talk to their father and because he once wanted a treehouse too the three of them draw up some terrific plans and begin construction. As night falls the younger boy notices that here in the city there are no stars showing the sky. Why?

"My brother and I spent most of that summer in the tree house. It was the best summer ever. We had comics. We had cards."

But as time passes the older brother becomes less interested in the tree house and doesn't spend time playing with his younger brother any more until one night all the city lights go out. It is a blackout and suddenly all the stars in the sky can shine. The street turns into a party with torches and games and ice cream and best of all his brother climbs back up into the tree house - just like old times. 

Awards for In the Tree House:

• Jean Throop Book Award, Municipal Chapter of Toronto IODE Winner 2014
• TD Canadian Children's Literature Award, CBC Fan Choice Award, CBC Centre Awards Winner 2014
• Bank Street Children's Book Committee Winner 2014
• Shining Willow Award, The Saskatchewan Young Readers' Choice Award Short-listed 2014
• Book of the Year 2013: Books for Young People, Quill & Quire Winner 2013
• Blue Spruce Award, Ontario Library Association Short-listed 2014

There are a few good ideas/life experiences in this book. Brothers who outgrow one another; seeing the night sky or actually not seeing the night sky because our city lights do not allow them to shine; and the wonder of changes that can happen in a community after a shared event such as a blackout.

Oddly the Kirkus reviewer did not really like this book but I think it could be a good addition to your school library. I have put a few other treehouse books in this post. My friend from Kinderbookwitheverything has a splendid Pinterest collection of picture books about Treehouses.

In the Tree House was published in 2018 BUT for once I have good news. The paperback edition is still available (check here).

A House for wombats

Happy Mouse Day

I previously talked about these books illustrated by Dušan Petričić:

Mud Puddle

The Man with the Violin

You can see books by Andrew Larsen here.

You might also try to find this book: