Andy Griffiths | BOOKS | The 13-Storey Treehouse

The 13-Storey Treehouse

ABIA Book of the Year for Older Children 2012

Who wouldn't want to live in a treehouse? Especially a 13-storey treehouse that has a bowling alley, a see-through swimming pool, a tank full of sharks, a library full of comics, a secret underground laboratory, a games room, self-making beds, vines you can swing on, a vegetable vaporiser and a marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots your favourite flavoured marshmallows into your mouth whenever it discerns you're hungry.

Two new characters – Andy and Terry – live here, make books together, and have a series of completely nutty adventures. Because: ANYTHING can happen in a 13-storey treehouse.

This is a major new series from Andy and Terry- and it's the logical evolution of all their previous books. There are echoes of the Just stories in the Andy and Terry friendship, the breakaway stories in the Bad Book (the Adventures of Super Finger), there's the easy readability of the Cat on the Mat and the Big Fat Cow, and like all these books, the illustrations are as much a part of the story as the story itself.

Reviews

"Longtime collaborators Griffiths and Denton (Killer Koalas from Outer Space) get metafictional in their latest book (first published in Australia), and the result is anarchic absurdity at its best. Young buddies Andy and Terry live together in the sort of tree house that kids dream about, complete with bowling alley, shark tank, vines to swing from, and underground laboratory. With so many distractions, is it any wonder that they’re late with the book due to their publisher, Mr. Big Nose? “We were a little behind schedule,” confides Andy. “Well, when I say ‘a little behind schedule,’ I mean a lot behind schedule. And when I say ‘a lot behind schedule,’ I mean a LOT LOT LOT behind schedule.” It’s due tomorrow, but before they can get to work, they have to handle an escaped catnary (a cat turned canary), “burp-gas-filled bubblegum bubbles,” and a horde of destructive monkeys. Denton’s manic cartooning captures every twist and turn in hilarious detail, as babies are pelted with garbage, yapping dogs squashed, and monkeys catapulted into the distance. A sequel was published last year in Australia and can’t arrive soon enough. Ages 8–12."
Starred review, Publishers Weekly

"Andy and Terry may live in a totally cool treehouse with the kind of features that kids would go nuts over, but they do have a few problems. Such as a missing neighbour’s cat they have helped to disappear and a book they should have finished which hasn’t been started, not to mention a demonic mermaid that threatens their friendship. Finally they start writing and drawing – but you’re not going to believe this! A whole lot of monkeys invade, a giant banana nearly kills Terry then saves them from the monkeys, then lures a giant gorilla, everything goes horribly wrong but … no hang on a minute, I can’t give the crazy, amazing ending away. You’ll have to read this very fine literary (and graphically superior) masterpiece yourself. You won’t be disappointed; you’ll be dazzled by Andy’s and Terry’s brilliance. And of course, you’ll want more: maybe a 26-Storey Treehouse!!! Ridiculous fun for ages eight and up."
Alexa Dretzke is from Readings Hawthorn

"Full of imagination and quirky drawings this book is pure fun and enjoyment. A perfect formula for young readers, My Book Corner highly recommends this one.
This is a light hearted, fast paced, funny story centred around one day in the life of Andy and Terry on the day of the deadline for their new book. Love the portrayal of the publisher as Mr Big Red Nose - are we getting an insight in to the world of publishing here?!
Living in a 13-storey tree house with a lemonade fountain, vegetable vaporiser, swimming pool and my favourite ... the marshmallow machine .. it's not surprising that Andy is having problems convincing Terry to get down to work. Cue a day filled with sea-monkeys, flying cats, mermaids, a gorilla and a big banana. Yes, really!
The illustrations don't just add to the story, they are an essential part of it. Perfect for those who like lots going on and enjoy delving in to the details. The 13-storey Treehouse will easily cope with several readings due to the jokes and details in the illustrations themselves.
My Book Corner thinks this also has the additional benefit of being ideal for those who feel intimidated by large, text dense books ... and for those who just fancy a chuckle! Enjoy."
http://www.mybookcorner.com.au/listings/398-the-13-storey-treehouse.html

"Ever wanted to know exactly how and where Andy Griffiths and Terry Denton create their riotously funny books? It's a little-known fact that Andy and Terry actually live together - yes, that's right. They cohabit for creativity and you simply won't believe what they live in...
Welcome to the treehouse! 13-storeys of madcap fun, complete with bowling alley, see-through swimming pool (just make sure you wear your trunks!), observation deck, secret underground laboratory, man-eating shark tank, a room full of pillows and more.
Taking a tour through this treehouse is a mind-boggle of a journey - enthralling anyone under 18, but also sending grownups hurtling back to doodling-on-the-back-of-your-maths-book during class, creating entire worlds of fantastic fun that can not normally be found in a maths book.
This is some treehouse and I so want to live there. Being someone who is totally addicted to marshmallows, of course you can imagine my feelings of despair over not owning my very own marshmallow machine that follows you around and automatically shoots marshmallows into your mouth. You can also imagine my despair, as a writer myself, that I can't wangle my way into the dream team that is Andy and Terry, for The 13-Storey Treehouse is indeed a dream.
Who, I ask you - WHO - would not want to live in a 13-storey treehouse? And more to the point - can Andy and Terry move past the crazy shenanigans of life in this whacky house (think mermaids, sea monsters, monkeys and flying cats) and finally get on with the task of finishing their latest book?
Funny, kooky, silly and resplendent with both that dry wit and off-the-wall illustration pairing this talented duo is renowned for, fans will not be disappointed with this peek into the creative processes of Andy and Terry. They will not be disappointed with the action, with the far-flung plot, with the consistent humour and childlike voice that works so very well. And they will NOT be disappointed with the sprinkling of a little bit of gross.
If I'm being a tad picky, I should point out the glaring absence of a helipad. And a chocolate factory. Oh - and a graphic design studio and carnival. And can I just say that no treehouse would be complete without a fully-functioning haute couture studio.
But never fear - The 26-Storey Treehouse is due for release this September. I'm gunning for a helipad!"
Kids Book Review