THE GIRL IN THE TREE

Cordelia’s home is a treehouse in a large elm tree in New York City’s Central Park.

No one knows where Cordelia came from, but the squirrel Shakespeare finds her as a tiny baby under a shrub and adopts her. By the time she is 8 years old, she is more squirrel than human, moving easily through the branches, leaping from tree to tree, and speaking Chittering. Shakespeare, her beloved father figure, mentor, and teacher, exposes her to the human Shakespeare’s plays at the theater in the park. Groundskeeper Viola Berry is her one human friend, supplying her with necessities. Cordelia often forgets she is human and is curious about people but uncertain around them. When her squirrel-like leaps attract the attention of a gymnastics coach, a series of hilarious events brings her into close contact with human children and adults, sometimes with disastrous results. But the adventure leads to a new appreciation of her unusual life and to Isaac, a new human friend. Cristofori’s detailed black-and-white cartoon illustrations match and enhance the fast-paced tale. Most of the action is set in real locations in Central Park, each with its own special aura, making the park an important character in the tale. Cordelia is inquisitive, confused, lovable, and utterly unique. The fantasy elements of her world are imaginative and charming, if a bit implausible. In the illustrations, Cordelia is light-skinned, Viola presents Black, and Isaac is brown-skinned.

Suspend all disbelief and enjoy being a part of this world.