This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.
This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.
Reviewed by Liz Konkel for Readers' Favorite
The Great Green Tree and the Magical Ladders by Stephen Kozan is a magical journey that weaves enchantment with life lessons. Shea is what is considered a problem child with a series of trouble-causing actions from acting out in school to finding humor in killing bugs. She's given a new perspective on her behavior when a mysterious voice draws her close and she discovers it comes from a spider with glasses who offers her a unique opportunity. The spider, named Webster, is a tour guide and Grass Kingdom Ambassador who has been sent by the Governing Council regarding her actions over the unnecessary death of Roland, the beetle she squished. She soon learns the Great Green Tree is a teaching center that educates children and creatures on their wrongdoings and gives them second chances after their bad decisions. One bite later and she's on a journey inside the tree that provides her with a series of life lessons. Each new lesson opens her eyes to the mistakes of her actions and shows the wrong of her actions toward others.
Stephen Kozan creates a world within The Great Green Tree rooted in magic with ladders that lead to other levels -- each contains a lesson that Shea needs to learn. The moment where she kills a beetle at the base of a tree is a catalyst for her whole journey by sparking Shea on her path of self-discovery. Kozan creates a unique story that takes Shea into this world governed by a Council that keeps tabs on the human world and draws her in where she befriends personified animals. The tree functions as a rehabilitation center with each new level accessed by Shea focusing on a different element of her behavior which was seen in the beginning. Each branch coincides with a character that is going through or helping with similar behaviors with Foster, Luna, Sydney, Enzo, Marina, and others that have been bullies. The illustrations are bright and vivid with stunning images that give visuals to the various bugs within the tree and a look at the magical ladders. The Great Green Tree and the Magical Ladders is an enchanting and charming story about a magical world within a tree that is run by a variety of bugs whose goal is to teach Shea and other children about lying, bullying, stealing, taking responsibility, and being kind.
