The Heart Shaped Tree
By Max Tell (A.K.A. Robert Stelmach)
Music By Doug Banner
CD – Audio Book with Bonus music tracks
MP3 of the Story Reviewed
Ages 4+
The people of the House of Argu hated the people of the House of Argy so much that they clucked their tongues at them when ever they saw they. Same thing for the people of the House of Argy, they hissed at the people of the House of Argu. Neither House EVER stepped foot on the land of the other. One day a boy from the house of Argu made friends with a girl from the house of Argy and they found a safe place to play near a heart shaped tree. The roots of the heart shaped tree joined the land of the House of Argu with the land of the House of Argy. The children didn’t see any difference between them and realized that their people had no right to be fighting. When the children’s parents find out they are playing with each other, their punishment does not turn out as the parents expected.
This is the first time I have reviewed an audio story. I think that Max Tell is a great story-teller. I liked how he mixed music, sound effects and story-telling in the recording. It is cool how the different voices come out of different speakers so it sounds like you are in the middle of the story. We have some other audio stories that we listen to in our car when we go on trips. It is nice when my family listens together to the stories. “The Heart Shaped Tree” is a great story too. I like how it shows that people really aren’t that different from each other. It has a really good message for kids.
I don’t feel right giving the story a bookworm rating because I only heard this story and the story is on a CD with some music too so I didn’t hear everything (so I can’t tell you what I think of the whole thing). I can tell you I liked the story enough that I asked my parents to get me the whole CD!
To learn more about Mr. Tell and his other CDs and work, please visit his website HERE. You can also see video clips and hear sample music from My. Tell on his website.
I am a big audio book fan, Erik. In fact the majority of the adult and YA books I “read”, I actually listen too. Picture books and Middle Grade, I like to have the print copy! The Heart Shaped Tree sounds like a sweet story of acceptance/difference and what that really is.
It is a really sweet and great story about accepting and differences and what they are. This is my first time I have “read” and reviewed an audio book. I’ll have to “read” & review (R&R) more audio books!
I also love audio books – for long drives especially – and have heard some great ones. We had a whole bunch we listened to over and over when my kids were little. Thanks for sharing this one – it sounds interesting.
I’m glad you liked it Ms. Hill! I think I should “read” more of these books! 🙂
Erik, I love audio books, especially when I’m traveling. The Heart Shaped Tree reminds me a little of a modern day Romeo and Juliet, except they are children. I hoped the parents learned from the kids. This is really a universal theme — kids don’t see difference, but parents do. Sounds like a good story.
My Mom said it reminded her of Romeo and Juliet, too (although this one had a better ending)! I think the parents learned their lesson. I have to get more audio books.
Erik
nice review E.! I was drawn by the cover of this book and now that I know it’s an audio book, I’ll be sure to check it out. I don’t listen to these often, but they are a nice option in the car and for young children who are learning to read.
Lisa Ard
Author of ‘Fright Flight, Dream Seekers Book One’
Thank you Ms. Ard! The cover is really nice! I like the thought of a “Y” tree that the to parts of the “Y” turned inwards to become a heart. I REALLY have to get some audio books…
Erik 😉
Max Tell is a very talented individual. Thanks for reviewing his book. It is nice that people have a variety of ways to experience books. And how ownderful for the visually impaired people to have audio books available.
The audio book idea is a marvelous one! I agree, Mr. Tell is a marvelous man/storyteller! Do you know him?!? This is the first time I have listened to his stories! 🙂
I’ve never listened to an audio book before. This one sounds great.
It is great! We really like to listento them in the car on long rides 🙂
I’ve only listened to a book once and my attention kept drifting off. But I really like the storyline of The Heart Shaped Tree. Thanks for sharing, Erik!
I think kids story books are different than adult audio books because there are lots of sound effects and Mr. Tell does all these different voices. It’s really great!
Good morning Eric, Thank you ever so much for your review of “The Heart Shaped Tree” and to all those who have made comments. It warms my heart that a young person like yourself is taking so much time to promote reading and in my case, storytelling. Congratulations!!! Good luck in all your adventures. A little about my story: I had wanted to write a Romeo and Juliet story for children for close to seven years, but could not come up with a solid through line. Then about three years ago, I was driving to meet my daughter for lunch when I remembered the names of the to feuding families in Shakespeare’s original, the Capulets and the Montagues, which led to my House of Argu and the House of Argy. Those two ideas started the ball rolling. Next came the clincher, the heart-shaped tree. By this time, I had to pull over to the side of the road to scribble down my thoughts – “The Heart Shaped Tree” was born. For those of you who are interested, my favourite storyteller is Jay O’Callahan. http://www.ocallahan.com/. Try his story Raspberries – a masterpiece. Other storytellers who have CDs may be found at http://www.storytellers-conteurs.ca/ and http://www.storynet.org/. Happy listening.
Thank you Mr. Tell! I am sure everyone will find how you created the story really interesting! I appreciate you taking the time to comment! I will check out the links you posted!