One summer, my parents hung a tire swing from the tree in our front yard. There’s something special about swinging from a tire swing versus a swing on your swing set or the swings at the playground. The smoky, rubbery smell of the tire mixed with the furry feel of a good, strong rope gives it a raw, homemade quality. And to swing on it takes a certain amount of control to avoid hitting into the tree that it swings from, making for a more adventurous type of play.
Charlie and the Tire Swing by Diann Floyd Boehm explores the origin of a particular tire swing, more specifically, the tree from which it hangs. It’s about family, patience, and how growing living things can be a long, suspenseful, and ultimately rewarding process, much like the way a family grows and evolves. Below is my review of Charlie and the Tire Swing followed by an interview with the author.
Charlie and the Tire Swing plot summary
While visiting his grandparents one day, Charlie asks his Grandpa Jack how the oak tree outside their kitchen window got to be so big. Grandpa proceeds to tell him the story of how, as a young boy, he planted the tree from an acorn and how he took care of it until it grew into the tree that Charlie sees outside. Grandpa then hangs a tire swing from one of the branches, and Charlie uses it to swing high into the sky.
The story
Charlie and the Tire Swing is a gentle story that reminded me of a more grounded, feel-good version of The Giving Tree. It starts with one little boy’s idea to grow a tree a long time ago and how that decision allows for another young boy in the present to use and appreciate it.
The story teaches kids about patience, and Grandpa Jack is a patient and persistent kid. However, with patience comes worry, doubt, and discouragement as he waits for the tree to sprout. It takes months and months of watering and tending to the spot he has staked in the yard with no way of knowing if the tree is even growing.
But as the months pass, so to the holidays, and the mixture of hot and cold, wet and dry, and the passing of time boils down to the triumph of a tiny tree that sprouts from the ground and becomes one big enough to hold Charlie’s tire swing. And because of this past decision, Charlie gets a great toy with a very personal history behind it.
The illustrations
The story’s illustrations by Judy Gaudet are warm and simple drawings. I love how Charlie is drawn with big, blue, innocent eyes that paint him as an engaged listener of his grandpa’s story. The illustrations fill at least one side of a page spread with additional story text sometimes inserted into a blank space.
The colors are warm and help to set the mood for various seasons and holidays. I particularly loved the Halloween page with its stormy, rainy sky mixed with its brightly colored leaves.
I also like how the planted acorn is marked with a long stick reading “oak” to draw the reader’s eye to that area of the page so that they, along with Grandpa Jack, can wait for the tree to sprout. I also like the little acorn and leaf accents that fill the white space in the corners of the pages of text.
My recommendation
Charlie and the Tire Swing is a great picture book for bedtime or early readers who are ready for a longer picture book before they graduate to chapter books. There are several sentences on each spread and even bits of easy-to-read-dialogue. Though it’s about two boys, it has a universal theme and tone that both boys and girls can enjoy.
The only audiences it may not work for are toddlers or for readers who want more action or conflict in their stories. But those who have a close relationship with their grandparents or those looking for a gentle and comfy read before bed will really gravitate to this book. It may also even inspire them to plant a tree of their own.
My rating
An interview with Diann Floyd Boehm
This book is dedicated to your son. Did the tree that housed his tire swing have a similar backstory?
My son’s tire actual swing was on a huge oak tree in our backyard. The oak tree in the story is a tree that grew in my son’s grandparents’ home.
Did you do any research, particularly on oak trees, before writing this book?
No, I grew up around oak trees, so I am familiar with them. However, my husband and I still like to find acorns, plant them, and watch the trees grow.
Were you inspired by any other picture books?
No. I love trees. Whenever I am walking and find a tree that has an opening, I usually try and have a picture made in it. Trees are beautiful; we can learn much from trees and nature in general. Our home at the time had huge trees all over the backyard; it was like a park. This particular tree was perfect for a tire swing, and my son loved to swing and have wonderful adventures on his tire swing. It was a joy to listen to his storytelling as he had a very active imagination.
What advice do you have for kids who may want to plant their own tree?
Once you find a tree, you might enjoy planting at your home; find out what type of sunlight it needs to grow, the amount of water and if it could use some nutrients in the soil. Keep the weeds away from the tree and enjoy watching it grow. It would be best if you had lots of patience when managing tree growth. Some trees grow faster than others, so don’t be disappointed if your tree takes longer.
What was the process of working with illustrator Judy Gaudet? Did you give her any direction on how you wanted the illustrations to look?
Ms. Judy Gaudet is a joy to work with because she welcomes the author’s input. I appreciate this very much. She gives samples of her possible illustrations, characters, possible setting designs, and style of art.
Once we are on the same page, she has the freedom to move forward, and she is wonderful about checking in and sharing pages to be sure she is capturing the magic of the story. I appreciate her collaborative effort and think she did an excellent job with Charlie and the Tire Swing.
Do you have a favorite page?
How do I select a favorite page? They all seem so magical, but if I had to choose one, it is when Charlie swings for the first time.
Who do you most want to read this book?
Readers of all ages. Imagination is for everyone and taking a moment out of one’s day to enjoy swinging and going on an adventure can only bring pleasure to a reader’s day. I also like to think about who might be reading the story to a loved one, and that it will promote family story time and sharing the adventures they had as a child swinging too.
The subtitle and final page indicate that sequels are ahead. What can you tell us about what’s next for Charlie?
You are correct! Charlie is about to have many fun-filled adventures. I am working on some easy reader stories for adventurous minds to enjoy.
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This sounds like a great gift book, and I loved learning more about its creation! <3
Great review and interview.
This story sounds like one we would read in our house.
Thank you! I loved how the book showcased the patience that’s involved in growing a plant from seeds and how it pays off in the end.
I like this review! It was in depth and thoughtful without telling the story. The author interview was a great touch. I love reading about the inner working how stories come to take place.
Thanks for reading! I too love to hear about where authors’ stories come from.
What a lovely review! This would make a great present for my various nieces and nephews. It’s on the Christmas list! xxx
Thanks for reading, and if you enter the giveaway, you can win a copy for them to read!
What an excellent review and interview. I loved to read how the story came about. Great job!
Thank you! It’s nice when a personal story can relate to a larger audience.
This book sounds really cute!
It is!
We love the Halloween illustration.
Yes! It feels like a classic Halloween storybook on that page.
The Halloween illustration is my favourite too! I’m so happy to see so many comments and that people are enjoying Charlie’s story.