The Worry Tree [With Earbuds] (2009) - Plot & Excerpts
I don't read a great deal of books aimed at younger readers and spend a lot more time on those aimed at A YA audience but in this case it was worth making the exception. I loved the worry tree and thought it was a beautifully written and poignant novel which has a lovely message to get across to youngsters.The Worry Tree revolves arounf Juilet. Juilet is a worrier. She worries about her sister bothering her all the time, about her grandmother falling and hurting herself, about the school bully, about her parents and more and deals with her worries by sorting and collecting things obssessively (which is why I reckon Non, who is Catnip's editor, sent it to me. It was like reading about my younger self).Juilet is offered her own bedroom and when she moves in and stsrts to decorate she finds the worry tree behind the old wallpaper. Her grandmother explains the purpose of the tree and the animals that surround it is to serve as a place to hang all your worries on before going to bed so that you don't have to worry about them anymore and can sleep soundly. Over time this allows Juilet to manage her worries meaning she doesn't have to carry the burden of them around with her day to day. I loved the moral of this and the message it had for youngsters especially in an day and day when children are tested and put upon from an early age if nothing else but government sponsered testing in school.This side is balanced out with a host of comical character and funny scenes which would engage most youngesters quite happily in the storyline. The family itself were both loving both totally bonkers in themselves with the mad scientist dad, the crazy younger sister and the clever but frustrated grandmother.Certainly a book I recommend and one I think wuld be an invaluable resource for primary school teachers covering PHSE lessons in class espcially as the back of the book has sections for children to write down their own worries. A fab and highly recommended read. Being a former teacher, I always get excited when I find a book that can be used in the classroom and actually be the basis of a topic to work throughout a term. Well The Worry Tree is one of those books. This is a book that could be used as a PSHE ( Personal, Social, Health and Economic) resource with ease allowing children to produce their own worry trees.The book introduces us to Juliet, a worrier. She worries about a lot of different things - she worries about her annoying little sister who always interferes with her stuff, her parents constantly arguing, her Nana getting old and her two friends constantly fighting over her.She finds relief when her parents finally give her her own bedroom which upon decorating, she discovers a painting of a worry tree that had been on the wall since her grandmother was little. Juliet wonders if this tree will be able to help her with all her worries.This book is a delightful read which is rather humorous in places, as well as poignant in others. The characters within the book are adorable and keep you entertained throughout the book. Oaf is definitely an annoying little sister, but a funny one at that. Any parent reading this book alongside a child, will want to comfort Juliet and help her to deal with her worries. I have seen so many children pass through my classroom who would have benefited from a book like this; it is the type of book you want a good supply of in each school to hand out to the parents of the children who worry about everything.The book holds a moral within the story. It shows that all the worries Juliet has are not really her worries and she needs to let others deal with them so that they don't play on her mind. It deals with a sensitive issue that plagues many (both adults and children alike) and helps the reader to let the worries disburse like bubbles.At the back of the book, there is a section where a child can write their worries down allowing the animals from the worry tree to take care of them for a while whilst the child gets on with being just a child and enjoying the moment.I would have loved this book as a child, as it really puts things into perspective. I actually came away thinking about all the things I tend to worry about and realised I also had a lot I could discard. If a book can have that affect on a adult, imagine how it would help a child.An ideal, quick and easy read to help the worriers you know lighten their worry load.
What do You think about The Worry Tree [With Earbuds] (2009)?
Apalagi yang cocok untuk pengalaman membaca kali ini selain "numpang baca"? :D
—oviya
