The Tree at Number 43 (Jess McGeachin, Puffin)
Jess McGeachin has fast established himself as an exciting and skilled creator of picture books, drawing on his work at Melbourne Museum to celebrate the beauty of the natural world in both his stories and nonfiction work. The Tree at Number 43 is no exception. Centering on the relationship between Sam and his Grandpa, we hear about all the adventures Grandpa has been on. His favourite stories are the ones about the jungle, but now there’s very little jungle left to be seen. Sam finds one of Grandpa’s seeds he’d brought back from his adventures and plants it. A tree grows right up through the heart of the house. It takes some getting used to, but life is better, until an official letter arrives saying it’s got to go. Gentle messages of celebrating and preserving the environment run through this story of whimsy and the ‘but of course’ brand of magic that makes picture books so delightful. The illustrations are as warm as McGeachin’s words, and it was lovely to have the reminder that with a little bit of nurturing, community also grows. Perfect for readers aged three through eight, The Tree at Number 43 is a wonderful addition to McGeachin’s catalogue, as well as to any shop, library or home.
Michael Earp has 20 years of children’s specialist bookselling experience and manages The Little Bookroom.
