“Oh moan! Oh groan!
There’s no telephone!
We’ve run out of pancakes,
We’ve run out of tea,
We’ll have to eat LEAVES
Up here in our tree!”
From Up In the Tree
Written and Illustrated by Margaret Atwood
First published in 1978
Leola climbed to the highest branch and found herself surrounded by butterflies.
Today we are reading… Up In the Tree, by acclaimed Canadian writer Margaret Atwood. Written for her daughter Jess, this charming story of two children who make their home in the leafy branches of a tree is another vintage treasure. If you have time, listen to this interview with Margaret Atwood and hear a playful reading of this beautifully simple book.
Why Leola loves it…
Leola’s favourite part is when “OH MY! OH ME!” two porcupines (which according to Leola are actually beavers) take the ladder away from the tree and nibble it to pieces, leaving the children stranded. She finds this very funny!
Why I love it…
The book looks charmingly primitive with its two colour design. The illustrations in blue, red and brown (the combination of the blue and red inks), have a kind of innocent simplicity that is perfect for this whimsical story. Margaret Atwood hand lettered the entire book to save on costs. The lettering itself is beautiful and expresses much more character than a digital font ever could.
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About Claire
My name is Claire and for as long as I can remember I have loved writing. A deluge of inspiration hit me at the beginning of the New Year and I have decided to go with it. I have a good feeling about 2013, the year I have dedicated to balancing motherhood and creativity.
Besides writing, some things that make me happy are dancing; taking my children (Oscar aged 4 and Elsa aged 1) to the library and afterwards sitting in a comfy booth in our favourite cafe with a big stack of picture books; starting crochet projects even if I never get around to finishing them; watching my children spontaneously dancing when they hear music; and sharing my life with the father of those dancing children (especially when we’re packing our little family into a campervan and setting off on a big adventure).
I have worked as an editor, a criminal defence lawyer and a family violence lawyer in a community legal centre. Now I am following my dream of being a writer. I am working on the second draft of my novel "Make me a bird." Some days I think it might be okay and some days I'm not sure if it’s any good at all, but with the encouragement of my lovely friends and family I am sticking with it.
2013 is also my year for tackling other works in progress including writing and illustrating a children’s picture book "Leola Loves Books"; and completing a chapter book for bigger kids which has evolved from the crazy bedtime stories my little boy tells me and developed a life of its own (working title The Adventures of "Charlie and Bonnie"). I had enough on my plate already but Charlie and Bonnie are two cheeky characters who seem very determined to be written about and as always I am spurred on by the enthusiastic support of my family. I also keep busy maintaining two fresh new blogs, attempting to derive some income from writing articles,and most importantly, being a mum.
My creative energy is high but I don’t like my chances of sticking to my early-to-bed resolution. Wish me luck!
I love the sound of this book and will definitely hunt out a copy. Thank you for sharing!