Review of The Plastic Tree and His Friends

[Rishaunda Lynnette Britton]

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "The Plastic Tree and His Friends" by Nick Rozak.]

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5 out of 5 stars

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A particular tree in a park is different from every other tree there, and although he doesn't have what it takes to attract the bees and the birds, he somehow happens to capture the attention of children, who often come around to play with him. His worries climax as a recent presence in his branch means he could also lose his human companions. But then, a beekeeper shows up, gives insightful lessons about bees and wasps, and carries out an operation that not only fixes the issue with his branch but also helps him gain a deeper understanding of his purpose as a plastic tree.

Nick Rozak has done remarkably well with this story, crafting a piece that not only leads readers through a tree's inner struggles and enlightenment but also to a deeper awareness of some of the most important species of nature: bees and wasps. The plastic tree's predicament is something children can relate to, as there are certainly aspects of their lives where they are different from others, be it in the areas of intelligence, interpersonal relationships, skin color, social status, or worldview. And then, they should be able to draw strength from the plastic tree's increased level of awareness to explore the advantages inherent in their uniqueness.

I was most impressed by the information shared about bees and wasps. The timing of the introduction of the beekeeper was strategic, and the following in-depth discussion of the various kinds of bees and wasps and their unique yet collective roles for plants and trees was impactful. Efforts were also made to help children understand the changes trees and plants undergo across the seasons and to gain a correct understanding of the existence and presence of bees, thereby removing age-old fears and misconceptions about these priceless parts of nature. The illustrations were bright and reflected the soul of the storyline.

There are two suggestions I would like to make. First, I think giving the plastic tree a personal name might facilitate identification and a deeper connection with him. Second, the branches of the plastic tree should have been visible and spread out like the other trees; this omission made the round nest on location 7 look odd. That's all about my observation. I think I am impressed by the effort put into proofreading this book. I found just two grammatical errors in it.

The issues I noted above didn't in any way affect my reading or enjoyment of this story, so I won't be removing any stars because of them. The Plastic Tree and His Friends, written by Nick Rozak, earns five out of five stars for the in-depth exploration of the themes of personal inner struggles and enlightenment and for the educational notes about bees and wasps. The story is recommended for readers between the ages of four and ten.

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The Plastic Tree and His Friends
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[Amira M 1]

Your review is not only entertaining and well-written but honest and concise.