Robin Anderson Author Reviews

The Adventures of Tumble
The Clumsy Tree

★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"Happiness does grow on trees."
Grady Harp

Robin Anderson takes a million and one chances in his stingingly funny novels and his writing style is so
adept that he knows exactly how to balance camp with storyline. A little background: Anderson was born in
Scotland and educated in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, and South Africa and while his novels have a decidedly
bent twist, his day job is that of an internationally respected interior designer. In this new book Robin once
again steps outside the world of misbehaving and naughty and sexy people and focuses instead on stories
for children. But make no mistake, his glib humor is still present and just because his story is about non-humans does not mean that animals and trees don't have all-too-similar qualities - a fact he of course uses to weave these marvelously entertaining tales. This Robin's take on anthropomorphism with a twist.

While THE ADVENTURES OF TUMBLE THE CLUMSY TREE is meant to (and will) delight youngsters, Robin weaves his tale so well that the ‘human references’ he so generously bestows on his nature characters will have adult readers enchanted. The central character, Tumble, is a young oak tree who suffers the insults of his tree sisters and by Oscar the ash and Elvis the elm about his stature. Though not yet fully grown, Tumble feels he will mature – eventually. And here Robin inserts one of his many thoughtful insights: ’Here again, it should be remembered that instead of having birthday parties like humans do to celebrate each growing year, trees celebrate by adding an extra ring inside their trunks. However, again like humans do, trees also show their age form the outside!’ Ahem…

At any rate, to be brief, the adventure is one in which Tumble’s friend Moley Mole tunnels under Tumbles roots, freeing him to walk through the glade at night (pausing now and then to tie his roots to prevent clumsiness), allowing him to achieve stature, respect, and adoration from new friends like Melanie Mushroom who is fearful of Caravan Carl, a gypsy who plans to gather all the mushrooms from Fungusamungus to sell in the market until Tumble successfully blocks his caravan door and thwarts that corporate deed. And Tumble (with Moley’s support) also manages to outwit Wally the Woodsman, who plans to cut trees for the Christmas market, by inciting Willy the wormwood (and his fraternity) to ‘alter’ the axe handles preventing that cruel harvest. And of course there are other aspects of the adventure, added characters, and further insights that make the story so successful.

In the end the story is about friendship being triumphant – and of course, Robin adds a little touch of love at the end. Robin Anderson polishes his credentials as a literary titan with this delightful new book. His talent just expands! Highly recommended for both children and thoughtful adults.

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★ ★ ★ ★ ★

"What a lovely surprise! Tree-hee! Tree-hee!"

Liz Brewer

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"The Adventures of Tumble the Clumsy Tree is very imaginative and, like Robin Anderson's other children's tales, it is also fun and a great adventure story, for children and for adults like me. I'm a sucker for children's stories and this book will be a favourite for years to come. Robin Anderson's children's stories never fail to amuse and entertain."

Kathy Kozakewich