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Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses

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“Bob lived in the big city. The city was very crowded .”
A true story about Bob Redman, a New York City boy who built a series of intricate treehouses hidden in Central Park.
This picture book tells the true story of Bob Redman, a child growing up in New York City. Tired of the noise, the people, and the rushing around, Bob took shelter in the natural beauty of Central Park—where he covertly built a series of treehouses, starting with a simple platform and growing more and more elaborate over time. He played cat-and-mouse with the park workers, who kept tearing down his houses, until he was finally caught. But his story ends with a happy surprise . . .

34 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2018

2 people are currently reading
177 people want to read

About the author

Shira Boss

3 books5 followers
Shira Boss lives on the Upper West Side of Manhattan in New York City, three blocks from Central Park. Up In The Leaves is her second book. She earned undergraduate and graduate degrees from Columbia University, including a master’s in journalism. When her Japanese maple tree needed pruning, several people suggested she call arborist Bob Redman. He said it was the smallest tree he has ever worked on (about four feet high, in a pot). Now they have two sons, two whippets – and many more trees.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
Profile Image for Laura.
1,520 reviews253 followers
September 5, 2023

Up in the Leaves is a true story of treehouses in New York City’s Central Park. It’s a story about a boy, who wanted to climb, climb, climb up & away from the hustle and bustle of the city. So, up a tree he went!

“The bark made a path. The leaves made a hideaway.”

There’s something magical about a treehouse. Up there above the crowd, noise, and chaos. High in the sky where the moon and stars shine so bright and clear. Perhaps lots of things become clearer up in the leaves.

A lovely story with art to match. It’s a must read for tree climbers of all ages.

Check it out from your local Library.
Profile Image for Donna Borgerding.
45 reviews3 followers
April 11, 2018
This is such a delightful picture book! It is the true story of Bob Redman. He lived near Central Park and loved the trees there. He was more comfortable in the trees than anywhere else, so he built a treehouse! It was taken down by the park staff, but he built another and another and another. He built twelve treehouses in all, from age thirteen to twenty-one.

The author is married to Bob.
Profile Image for Abigail.
8,023 reviews265 followers
April 25, 2019
Based upon her husband Bob Redman's childhood experiences, author Shira Boss spins the tale of a young boy who loved to climb the trees in New York City's Central Park. Over the years, from ages thirteen to twenty-one, he built a series of treehouses in their branches, always trying again when his latest creation was taken down by park workers. Eventually caught in the act, Bob was given an unexpected offer that changed his life: he was asked to come work in the park with the trees...

An engaging story of a boy with a passion for trees, and a love for Central Park, Up in the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses highlights the fact that sometimes, when we follow our interests, we can also find a path in life. I enjoyed the story, and found the artwork, done by Jamey Christoph, quite lovely. Recommended to young tree-lovers, to treehouse-builders, and to anyone looking for children's stories featuring Central Park and its many beauties.
Profile Image for Gary Anderson.
Author 0 books102 followers
June 8, 2018
Up In the Leaves: The True Story of the Central Park Treehouses is a charming picture book biography of arborist Bob Redman. As a child, Bob longs to escape the crowds of New York City and the drudgery of his school days, so he begins building treehouses in Central Park. Bob loves seeing the city from this new perspective and especially enjoys the freedom of being surrounded by nature while still in Manhattan. As soon as Bob’s treehouses are built, however, park maintenance workers remove them. Then one day, after a particularly elaborate treehouse of Bob’s is discovered, park administrators make Bob an interesting offer.

Shira Boss’s narrative tells Bob’s story in poetic sentences that lend themselves to reading aloud. Jamey Christoph’s illustrations effectively use foregrounds and backgrounds to convey Bob’s individuality set against the masses of people in New York City, as well as Bob’s place among the Central Park foliage.

Up in the Leaves is nicely designed with attractive end papers and a brief epilogue showing a current photo of Bob Redman. Although this book has no back matter, the author’s bio on the cover flap reveals an interesting connection between the writer and her subject.

Profile Image for Tatiana.
839 reviews61 followers
August 12, 2018
Up in the Leaves tells the true story of Bob Redman's boyhood obsession of building treehouses in Central Park. Bob is the author's husband.

I think kids would find it entertaining that Bob's treehouses are always taken down, and yet he perseveres. It would also be a good text for exploring the multiple intelligences, how some people feel more at home in nature.

The illustrations by Jamey Christoph are in a watercolor style. It reminds me of the art in Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship.
Profile Image for Juliana Lee.
2,272 reviews41 followers
April 9, 2018
True story of the boy who hated the crowded city and built his own refuge among the trees of Central Park. Each treehouse was bigger and more elaborate than the last. In the end, the boy became a man, and the man became an arborist.
Profile Image for Baby Bookworm.
1,642 reviews109 followers
March 17, 2018
https://thebabybookwormblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/15/up-in-the-leaves-the-true-story-of-the-central-park-treehouses-shira-boss/

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Hello, friends! Our book today is Up In The Leaves: The True Story Of The Central Park Treehouses, written by Shira Boss and illustrated by Jamey Christoph, a sweet story of a boy’s creativity and love of trees shaping his destiny.

Bob had never been a huge fan of the city life: the noise, the traffic, the crowds. So after school, he would head straight to Central Park and climb up into the trees, where the air was clearer and quieter, and he could be by himself in the middle of a bustling city. At 13, Bob salvaged some scrap supplies and built a small treehouse where he could go to be alone, but the park officials found it and tore it down. As the years went by, Bob continued to build treehouses, each more elaborate than the last, often inviting up friends or spending nights gazing at the stars. Finally, as a young man, he was caught in the red-handed in his latest structure, and told to come down and face the consequences. But as Bob descended his treetop palace, he found not a punishment, but a welcome surprise waiting for him.

What a delightful little true story! Bob’s understanding of trees as well as his incredible tree-climbing skills eventually earned him a job as an arborist. It’s a nice lesson in how being ourselves and following our passions can guide us to what we are meant for. There is some flouting of authority and some questionable life-planning near the end (Bob was living in the treehouses part-time and had no plans for his future – he lucks into his job path due to the impressed park workers recommending it to him), but the intention is that of inspiring dreamers to find their field. The illustrations are lovely, creating a realistic yet wondrous world of Bob’s treehouses and the feelings they inspired in him. The length is fine, and JJ enjoyed it, so this one’s Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!
Profile Image for Tonja Drecker.
Author 3 books236 followers
March 30, 2018
This warming story grabs with a gentle adventure many kids enjoy, climbing trees, and shows the wondrous paths life can take.

This true story tells of Bob Redman, a kid in New York, who never felt at home between concrete, streets and buildings. Finding comfort and joy in climbing trees, he soon takes it a step further and begins to builds tree houses in Central Park. Each time, the tree houses are ripped down, but he builds again. His love for being in the trees continues for many years and blossoms into something much more.

I was personally touched by this story, since my own brother did much the same thing when we were growing up—almost the exact same thing. So, my kids and I might have a slightly different view on this book than many readers.

That this story stems from a true event, already draws in and adds a special dust of curiosity to young listeners. Bob's desire to climb trees is something easy to relate to, and that he does it in a park, adds to the excitement. There's a natural comfort and a sense of adventure as he climbs into the branches to hide away from the world time and again. Add the construction of tree houses from whatever he could find to the mix, and this is a real life adventure kids dream of doing themselves.

The illustrations come across as natural as the story, allowing the listener to sink into the scene. The tree houses add a touch of wonder and inspire listeners to imagine what their own house might look like.

The ending lacks the normal idea of goal chasing and determination, as Bob finds himself unsure of his future and slides into his future profession, which will hit some readers/listeners different than others.

I received a complimentary copy and enjoyed this so much that I wanted to leave my honest thoughts.
Profile Image for Maura.
786 reviews14 followers
June 3, 2018
My nearly-5 year old son and I *adore* this book. We love that it is based on a true story. He loves the idea of making treehouses and having a job getting to climb trees. I love the language and the idea of a nonconformist making a place for himself in the world. We both love the illustrations. We've had it out from the library for 3 weeks now and when I read it to him last night for about the 20th time, he wistfully sighed, "I just love this book." That's high praise from a kid who usually prefers books with action, trucks, or animals. Love it.
Profile Image for Earl.
4,109 reviews42 followers
April 22, 2018
The cover artwork drew me in about these secret treehouses in Central Park. Readers may enjoy where a young man's passion eventually lead him.
Profile Image for Fran.
203 reviews4 followers
December 1, 2018
There are no words for how much I adore this book AND this story!
Profile Image for Arminzerella.
3,746 reviews93 followers
December 10, 2020
Bob Redman didn't like the crowds in the city, so every day after school he would visit Central Park and lose himself in nature. He particularly liked climbing up into the trees and finding peace far above everyone else. To be more comfortable, he began scavenging building materials and making a tree house. When it was discovered and removed, he built another. Altogether he built 12 treehouses between the ages of 13 and 21. He was discovered by park workers in the last one and offered a job. Bob became an arborist and learned all about the care and keeping of trees. He now looks after the trees in Central Park (no more treehouses though!). This is a true story and kids will enjoy learning about Bob and how his passion for a quiet space up in the trees led him to a cool career.
Profile Image for Andrew.
2,343 reviews71 followers
February 11, 2023
Bob Redman lives in New York City, but he can't stand the hustle and noise of the city. He goes to Central Park and over a series of vignettes and years, Bob will make many treehouses.
They keep being torn down every time. What can he do?
Based on the real-live Bob Redman, this fun Juvenile biography is fast-paced, fiction-style writing, and includes some facts at the end about Bob's life and career.
Very nice read and very nicely illustrated;
What kind of treehouse would you want?
Profile Image for Srujan.
477 reviews62 followers
November 23, 2024
What a gorgeous book! 😍 I read it via a YT read aloud. I am amazed I could barely find one good read aloud for this. How is this book not popular yet??! I haven't been able to find a copy of it to borrow, but the next time I see a preloved book or a library copy, I am going to buy/read it. Full 5 stars with all my heart!
Profile Image for Kevin.
227 reviews2 followers
June 21, 2019
Good story and pictures. It may be worth four stars. It is a great biography for kids.
680 reviews17 followers
April 6, 2019
This book is for children who feel left out, or who have interests that don’t always match those around them, or for those who simply love nature.

A really complex story told in a brief exposition and perfect for reading to young readers outside or in a tree house of their own.
Profile Image for Tina Hoggatt.
1,441 reviews10 followers
March 26, 2019
I adored this true story of a boy overwhelmed and crowded by the city of New York who finds escape and solace in Central Park where he builds one treehouse after another for himself and, eventually, his friends. When his final treehouse was taken down by the park service a canny employee offered him a job as arborist in the park, "something lucky." Simple and lovely illustrations. I liked seeing a photograph of the boy grown to a man in the back.
Profile Image for Cindy Mitchell *Kiss the Book*.
6,033 reviews219 followers
October 4, 2018
Up in the Leaves by Shira Boss, illustrated by Jamey Christoph. PICTURE BOOK Sterling Children’s Books, 2018. $17. 9781454920717

BUYING ADVISORY: EL (K-3) – ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: AVERAGE

Bob Redman lives in busy New York City but he doesn’t like feeling closed in, so he often climbs things to get above the rush of people. His favorite place to climb is at Central Park and he eventually starts to build tree-houses in the park’s trees. The city workers take down his tree-houses whenever they see them, but throughout Ben’s childhood he continues to rebuild and often expand on his tree-house ideas. One day the park workers catch Ben and ask him if he wants a job and he starts working in Central Park.

This is a true story and I loved that Ben found solace in the trees. I also loved that he wasn’t punished for building his tree-houses but asked if he wanted a job. The illustrations are my favorite part and added that extra something that gave the story feeling. The book has an epilogue about Bob Redman and a picture of him.

C. Peterson
https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/2018...
Profile Image for Todd.
10 reviews
October 15, 2018
This is the true story of a young man who lived in a crowded New York City and sought out wild places where he could find some peace.

At first, he just climbed the trees. Then he started building rudimentary tree houses. Every fall, after the leaves were down, the tree houses would disappear. As he grew in age, so did the complexity of his constructions. Still, they disappeared.

As he ages, his family wishes he would go out and get a job in the 'real world.' One day that all changes when he gets caught by the park maintenance staff. What could have ended very badly, ends with him being given a 'real job' working to care for the park.

He ends up climbing all of the trees, trimming and nurturing them. The book ends with a photograph of the real young man and a few more details about the true story.

The illustrations were what had me transfixed. Jamey Christoph's dry bush watercolor accentuates each and every leaf and texture are magnificent. I immediately put all of his illustrated books on my 'to be purchased' list.

http://www.jameychristoph.com/childre...
Profile Image for Becky B.
9,355 reviews184 followers
October 18, 2018
A boy longing for freedom and space in the midst of New York City, found solace in the branches of the trees of Central Park and built a number of tree houses. When the park workers took down one of his tree houses, he just built another. Until one day the park workers had another proposition for Bob.

This is a fascinating picture book biography of a man/boy who practically became an urban legend. It seems a little too wild to be true. And I love how the park's solution for their problem. They put him to work doing something he was obviously good at, climbing trees. Now that's a smart way to find a win win. I love the illustrations that fit the theme and heart of this book so well. This book may even give a future occupation idea to those kids who feel most at home in trees. If you're tired of the same old picture book biography, give this one a try. It is definitely unique and sure to grab attention.
Profile Image for Martha.
1,348 reviews10 followers
January 8, 2019
A resident of NYC, young Bob seeks solace from the hustle and bustle of his crowded busy life, up in the trees of Central Park. Starting simple, he builds just a platform for his first treehouse, each one becomes more complex, yet they're each mysteriously dismantled. Bob spends so much time up in his tree houses reading and enjoying the peace of the trees, his mother worries about him alone in the trees. Yet he prefers being outside to eventually having a job inside an office. This delightful story has the perfect ending, the men in charge of the park invite him to work there, become an arborist, and take care of the trees. Today Bob Redman still takes care of trees all over NYC, and spends time admiring the stars from the trees, one of his favorite pleasures. A fun read for young treehouse architects and future arborists.
Profile Image for Relyn.
4,086 reviews71 followers
July 21, 2021
Oh, I do wish I could give this more than a five star rating. This book is AMAZING! I read it to 15 classes this week - all my second, third, and fourth graders. Every single student loved it. I had parents come to talk to me about it because their kids were going home and telling them about it. By the way, I am the librarian, not the classroom teacher. That's an amazing book.

Teaching Tie-In Topics
- New York City & maps
- Central Park
- Tree houses, building , stem
- passions when you are young can become a living as an adult
- non-fiction
- storybook memoirs
Profile Image for Lynn.
2,882 reviews15 followers
February 23, 2019
“Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life.” Not sure youngsters would get this theme, but still a great story to show them how to follow their dreams and interests, regardless of how silly it may seem to others.
Simple but clear text occasionally gets lost in the background.
Soft illustrations show how Central Park is surrounded by buildings. Extra points for including the epilogue with a photo of Redman sitting in a tree.
Profile Image for Heydi Smith.
3,198 reviews8 followers
November 9, 2018
A fantastic addition to a tree storytime or a job storytime.

This book is about a kid who loves trees; so much so he builds tree houses in the park. He ends up getting a job with the parks department and becoming an arborist. This is a great book because it is an unusual occupation but one that is very important.
5 reviews
October 7, 2019
Up in The Leaves is based on a true story about Bob Redmond’s journey of building treehouses in New York City’s, Central Park. He built these treehouses all around Central Park from the time he was thirteen all the way up until he was twenty-one. This picture book follows a young boy named Bob who is in search of a more relaxing, calm getaway from the hustle and bustle of his life in New York City. In search of some serenity, he goes to Central Park and starts to build his treehouses. The book followed Bobs evolution into adulthood of building treehouses and the authorities always finding his houses and tearing them down. Eventually he was caught and ended up being offered a job in the park where he could climb and take care of trees every day.

The overall theme of Up in the Leaves is to always follow your dreams and pursue your passions. It can also serve as a reminder to make sure you get out and experience the wonders of nature and to never let go of your imagination.

When I read Up in The Leaves, it made me realize the importance of unplugging and reducing screen time to enjoy nature more often. I think this picture book sends a good message about making sure we take that time to find that serenity, or safe place just like Bob found his in treehouses. I also loved how the book ended with Bob getting a job helping the trees in Central Park. It was a very full circle moment and goes to show how the pursuit of your passions can pay off.

I would recommend this book because of the emphasis on imagination and following your dreams. I think since this book demonstrates that well it is a good picture book for young children to reflect on. They can realize they can be just like Bob in the way he never stopped building his treehouses and how he wasn’t ashamed of his large imaginative thinking. I think a lot of students can view Bob as an example or potential role model.

Profile Image for Jackie Law.
446 reviews23 followers
August 15, 2021
So good I decided to learn more about the story's central ;) character and sent him this email: THAT'S how much I liked this book "I love it! I work part time at Public Library of New London and this book by Shira Boss (in truth, the cover illustration by Jamey Christoph was what first caught my attention) I certainly could have read it while on a break during my 4 hours shift yesterday, but somehow I knew I needed to check it out so I could really check it out 😊 I love it! What a great story of inspiration – not only for children, but their parents – and then there is me – 60 years old with a 25 year old, and still, I am in awe. My brothers and I used to climb trees all over our little corner of SE Connecticut. I moved to VA in 1991 and NC in 1996, back to CT in 2018. Like most everyone else, I don’t really know where I’ll “end up” but this helped.

Thank you for being so determined to LIVE your true calling (not only seek, find, knock, and answer, but live!) I’m guess this is the much simplified version, but I’m quite certain that’s what the world needs more of right now. That, and love, of course. Blessed be, and much gratitude, Jackie
Profile Image for Cheryl.
13k reviews484 followers
August 8, 2025
Chosen for the 'treehouses, forts, and playhouses' theme in the Children's Books group. The title led me to believe it was about a movement, not just one stubborn boy (I didn't read the blurb). Now, I really don't like to judge a book based on false expectations, but I do have to say I would have liked the book more if it were about a larger event or issue. Surely Redman isn't the only resident of the city who dislikes the crowds enough to escape up the trees.

And, also, what is the 'true story' of why the treehouses kept getting taken down? Includes brief epilogue and no back matter. Author is Bob's wife. Google reveals nothing about "the Central Park treehouses" except this book... so the implication that it was somehow even a little bit of a big deal is misleading.

Otoh, if a reader goes in with minimal expectations and the understanding that it's one person's story, it's an appealing book.
Profile Image for Lydia.
1,123 reviews49 followers
January 2, 2026
Bob lives in New York city, but isn't comfortable with all the noise and the hustle and bustle, but one day in Central Park, he climbs a tree and finds a world above all the fuss. He wants to spend more and more time in this quieter world, so he starts scrounging building materials and building himself little treehouses in the Park, that the city takes down. Bob does this for years, the Treehouses becoming more elaborate, but the city keeps removing them, until one day the city workers find Bob in his treehouse!

This was fun! Because who hasn't wanted their own awesome treehouse? It's even better because it's based on a true story and has a quick note about the "real" Bob at the end with more details on the offer he got from the city. Really enjoyed this, and hadn't heard about this story at all, so was a nice surprise!

No content issues; though it does skirt around the fact that what Bob is doing, I'm pretty sure, is technically illegal.

Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews

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