Review: My Magnificent Jelly Bean Tree

What a glorious feast for the senses this book is! Some people say jelly beans don't grow on trees, but the little boy in this story knows better. All that's needed is for him to nurture a little jelly bean until it sprouts, then carefully watch over it as it grows and grows … Until, voilà! A jelly bean tree!

There are many wonderful things about jelly bean trees. Fresh jelly beans are much better than any you can buy in the shops. Jelly bean trees are so big and strong that you can build jelly bean houses in them — with slippery dips to get down. All kinds of weird and wonderful animals are attracted to them. And, of course, if you have a jelly bean tree then you can crown yourself Jelly Bean King!

Every page of this book is a visual delight. Aura Parker's illustrations are a magical combination of whimsical detail and mouthwatering colour. I particularly loved the jelly bean shaped backgrounds for some of the pages. Delicious!

Maura Finn's text rhymes perfectly but never feels forced. It's a fun, rhythmical story that's great to read aloud and that will happily engage kids as they go on this adventure of the imagination.

My Magnificent Jelly Bean Tree is the debut picture book for both author and illustrator. I look forward to many more!

Title: My Magnificent Jelly Bean Tree
Author: Maura Finn
Illustrator: Aura Parker
Publisher: New Frontier Publishing, $24.99
Publication Date: May 2016
Format: Hardcover
ISBN: 9781925059588
For ages: 4+
Type: Picture Book