'The best books, reviewed with insight and charm, but without compromise.'
- author Jackie French

Tuesday 24 July 2012

Review: The 13-Storey Treehouse

Ever wanted to know exactly how and where Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton create their riotously funny books? It's a little-known fact that Andy and Terry actually live together - yes, that's right. They cohabit for creativity and you simply won't believe what they live in . . .

Welcome to the treehouse! 13-storeys of madcap fun, complete with bowling alley, see-through swimming pool (just make sure you wear your trunks!), observation deck, secret underground laboratory, man-eating shark tank, a room full of pillows and more.

Taking a tour through this treehouse is a mind-boggle of a journey - enthralling anyone under 18, but also sending grownups hurtling back to doodling-on-the-back-of-your-maths-book during class, creating entire worlds of fantastic fun that can not normally be found in a maths book.

This is some treehouse and I so want to live there. Being someone who is totally addicted to marshmallows, of course you can imagine my feelings of despair over not owning my very own marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots marshmallows into your mouth. You can also imagine my despair, as a writer myself, that I can't wangle my way into the dream team that is Andy and Terry, for The 13-Storey Treehouse is indeed a dream.

Who, I ask you - WHO - would not want to live in a 13-storey treehouse? And more to the point - can Andy and Terry move past the crazy shenanigans of life in this whacky house (think mermaids, sea monsters, monkeys and flying cats) and finally get on with the task of finishing their latest book?

Funny, kooky, silly and resplendent with both that dry wit and off-the-wall illustration pairing this talented duo is renowned for, fans will not be disappointed with this peek into the creative processes of Andy and Terry. They will not be disappointed with the action, with the far-flung plot, with the consistent humour and childlike voice that works so very well. And they will NOT be disappointed with the sprinkling of a little bit of gross.

If I'm being a tad picky, I should point out the glaring absence of a helipad. And a chocolate factory. Oh - and a graphic design studio and carnival. And can I just say that no treehouse would be complete without a fully-functioning haute couture studio.

But never fear - The 26-Storey Treehouse is due for release this September. I'm gunning for a helipad!

Title: The 13-Storey Treehouse
Author: Andy Griffiths
Illustrator: Terry Denton
Publisher: Pan Macmillan, $9.99 RRP
Publication Date: 1 September 2011
Format: Paperback
ISBN: 9780330404365
For ages: 7+
Type: Junior Fiction, Humour