Tanglewood

by Margaret Wild, Vivienne Goodman (Illustrator)

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

About the author

Margaret Wild is one of Australia's most highly respected picture-book creators whose award-winning children's books are loved by children all over the world. Margaret has published over seventy picture books for young children and she has been the recipient of the Nan Chauncy Award and the Lady Cutler Award for her contributions to Australian children's literature.

Reviews

[Deb Omnivorous Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a lovely 'children's book' shortlisted for an award. The artwork is so beautiful and so moving it is as suited for any adult who loves art -especially seashore or marine art - as for any child.

As a children's book, it is not so much an adventure as an anthropomorphic personification: A tree, Tanglewood, sits all alone on a tiny atoll surrounded by empty sea, the only living thing. Alone and lonely it calls to passing wildlife until finally a seagull is blown by a storm into the shelter of Tanglewood.

The moving, delightful artwork perfectly complement the charming short story with it's perfect conclusion.

I read it, I loved it so much and found the artwork so amazing that I bought it as a coffee table book.

[Jocelyn Hee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found this story topic sad and the art just made it even more depressing. Also not sure if the multiple cropped paintings on some spreads was a good idea. Seemed small in scale to appreciate the art fully.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

I cried when I first read this to one of my 4 year olds

[Sally · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully illustrated simple story of friendship

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of those books that have the parent wiping away tears by the end. A fine and precious tale.

[Shane · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thoughtful and unexpected reflection on friendship, family and the impact of loneliness. This is a simple book, beautifully illustrated. I am not yet sure how students will respond to it.

[Adrian J. · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't put my finger on why I'm not overly-enthused by this. Everything seems fine, it just doesn't work.

[Sachi HK · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unarguably one of the best picture books I’ve ever read. I highly recommend it to people of all ages.

[Stef Rozitis · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story of the importance of emotional connections (family) and of the way friends leave a lasting legacy in each other's lives. This is shown through the story of "Tanglewood", a tree who is ungendered (rare to have an ungendered protagonist.

Tanglewood is lonely but noone responds to it until a fleeting encounter that ends up having transformative consequences. There is a lot to talk about in the pictures as well as the story itself having emotional depth. Children seem to take a few reads to "get" this one, but if you don't let them dismiss it immediately can slowly come into its slower pace and less obvious movement.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some of my colleagues found this story boring, but I liked it. The illustrations are realistic enough to stare at for a while (particularly the page with the seagull in different poses). The story is really stark and gets pretty dark (the tree wants to stop living at one point), but I liked how calm and thoughtful it was. I read it to some classes that came to the library for book week. They liked being read to, but only a few said they really liked the book. Definitely not everyone's cup of tea, but it did appeal to some of the quiet types.

[Michael Earp · Rating 5 out of 5]

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Margaret Wild does it again! A beautifully illustrated and compassionately told story about family and loneliness. This book will be on the CBC shortlist next year, for sure. Fall in love with Tanglewood.

[Dimity Powell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very clever and evocative. The illustrations are spellbinding.

[Chele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Wild is never less than wonderful!

[Kara · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful picture book. I love this story.

[Chantal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and a touching story about loniless, friendship and family.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful, quiet, profound book about loneliness and friendship.