The Caretaker of Tree Palace

By C. Dawn Mccallum

Book Overview

Where do you go when everything in your life is changing? For 13-year old Doodles, it's to his notebook where he can draw his own world. After his mother's death, Doodles stops speaking and seeks to see what she called "Tree Palace" in the scraggly woods by his grandma's house. Will he see Tree Palace before the woods are torn down to be sold for lumber? What will happen to the animals? Can he save Tree Palace? Also includes two short stories "The Princess Who Had Everything She Needed" about contentment and "The Canyon Flier" about two migrant workers who's lives are changed by a song.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1536858889
• ISBN13: 9781536858884
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: Createspace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 148 Pages
• Weight: 0.34 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 5.0" x 8.0"
• Age Range: 8 to 12 years
• Grade Range: Grades 3 to 7

Customer Reviews

Melancholic poetry

C. Dawn McCallum's poetic language in The Caretaker of Tree Palace fits her melancholic yet hopeful tale of mourning. Her beautiful prose has a way of creating striking images and provoking deep thoughts without being indulgent. As young Jon grieves over the death of his mother, he finds himself drawn to the nesting place of two mourning doves. Jon struggles to see the magic his mother knew of the Tree Palace, but finds comfort in drawing the birds. The way the story flits back and forth between Jon's point of view and the doves' point of view demonstrates how the two stories of survival are really one story. While the author does this convincingly, the parallel story lines and philosophical content may be a bit sophisticated for a younger reader to fully understand. This book reminded me how fragile life is; yet it left me with a feeling of hope for the future. Certainly a worthwhile read, especially for a young reader who has lost a loved one.

A Powerful and Sensitive Tale

The Caretaker of Tree Palace is a powerful story. Author C. Dawn McCallum has gracefully intertwined two captivating tales. Jon, also known as Doodles, is a gifted young artist. He finds escape from his grief-stricken life by sketching the birds and trees outside his home. Meanwhile, two mourning doves called Gentle and Winsome are terrified that the shrinking forest will threaten their precious new fledglings. Their hope lies in their caretaker, Jon, to protect them and their wonderful home. Some called it Tree Palace - but only those that had the eyes to see it's magic.

A Tale for All Ages!

I was totally caught up in this beautiful tale of loss and loneliness as young Jon is forced to cope with the loss first of his mother and then his grandmother. After his mother dies, he stops talking, "for what words were there to say?" and becomes the victim of the school bully after he and his dad move to Texas to live with Jon's grandmother. He finds solace in his drawings and in the quiet of the woods at his grandmother's house--what his mother called "Tree Palace"-- and very slowly the healing process begins. The elegant intertwining of the two stories: the story of the young boy and the story of the birds--is done with great artistry and sensitivity and leaves the reader feeling content that "all is well."

Heartbreakingly Beautiful Writing

Few books can make me set it down on my lap, mid-way through a page, and stare off into space in contemplation. "The Caretaker of Tree Palace" is one of these books. In different ways, it calls forth the allegorical tone of "The Man Who Planted Trees" and at the same time the quiet, precious, yet realistic hope for joy in works such as "The Giver." There's a magic to it all, half in shadows, half in sunlight, not quite concrete, but nevertheless real. There is beauty here and it will touch anyone willing to hold out a hand and let a leaf fall into it.

Creative, imaginative and beautifully written

"The Caretaker of Tree Palace" is a creative and imaginative tale that grasps the reader immediately with its vivid descriptions and honesty. It poetically handles the complex topics of pain, loss and death while relating the joy, growth and love of life.' - "There is a time... to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot." ~ Bear Cahill, creator of the children's animation series Booples (booples.com).