The Tallest Tree House

Running Press

Written and Illustrated by Elly MacKay

2019

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FEATURE in The Washington Post - On Making Picture Books

From esteemed author-illustrator Elly MacKay comes a magical fantasy tale about the importance of working as a team and being a good friend.

Mip and Pip are two fairies who live in a beautiful forest near a waterfall. One day, Mip has a brilliant idea to build a tree house and decides to make it into a contest: whoever can build the tallest tree house the fastest wins! Pip, who is much more thoughtful and a planner, reads about architecture and sketches out blueprints while Mip, the speedster, is already halfway done constructing her house. But when a powerful gust of wind threatens Mip's tree house and Pip's safety, the two friends must learn to appreciate each other's talents to save the day-and to build the tallest tree house in the forest.

Loanstar Junior Top 10 Pick

“Young readers glean that antithetical personalities can work beautifully together and that contrapuntal viewpoints can produce an amazing synthesis.... Sweetly offers essential, timely lessons about aligning with those different from oneself.” - Kirkus Reviews

“This sweet story is ideally illustrated in MacKay’s signature, light-filled diorama style, set in an enchanted forest of gentle greens, yellows, pinks, and blues. A little drama, a trusty moral, and a happy ending make for a satisfying tale.” - Booklist

“Couple [MacKay’s] art with fairies and a competition that transforms into cooperation and partnership and The Tallest Tree House becomes a winner for all readers.” - Canlit for Little Canadians

[T]he explicit lessons about friendship will be appreciated by parents and teachers. A possible addition for early makers and fans of tree and/or fairy houses. - School Library Journal