Chuck and Stuart are best friends. They have so much in common – they like nuts, and they like to collect leaves. They love climbing trees, especially the oak in the center of town. A lot of people think it’s weird that they are friends – did I mention that Chuck is a squirrel and Stuart is a boy? I didn’t? Well, maybe you think it’s strange too.
Well, back to that old oak tree. Chuck lives there and has all his life. It’s the perfect home for him. But as the town has grown, the trees all around the oak have been chopped down. Chuck has no intention of ever leaving his oak. It’s the only home he’s ever known.
Stuart loves to climb in the tree and visit Chuck. Stuart’s father, Mr. Ivey, has been the one responsible for all the new buildings in town. (Oh, I sense a plot complication coming on.) Mr. Ivey wants Stuart to follow him into the family business, but Stuart doesn’t want to. He promises Chuck that he’ll protect the tree, no matter what.
One morning, Mr. Ivey decided to compromise with Stuart. The land where the oak stands will be made into a park, but Stuart is to design it. The design will be presented to the city council for approval, and if they like it, the park will be built exactly according to design.
Stuart is so excited. He wants to plant more trees, and have a playground, and make it the most wonderful place ever. The next morning, Stuart and Chuck got down to work and drew out the plans. Mr. Ivey comes in and hands Stuart a gift – a carpenter square and triangle. He thinks the park should be full of squares, but Stuart and Chuck think it ought to have curvy paths.
Back and forth they argue until Mr. Ivey takes the project back. Stuart realizes that every plan his father draws excludes the tree, so late at night, he sneaks out and gets the final plans. Sure enough, the tree is gone. How to keep Mr. Ivey from just drawing up new plans?
Chuck nibbles the tools until they are nice and curvy, just like the paths Stuart wants for the park. When time comes for the town meeting, Mr. Ivey is frustrated to see that his plans have been ruined, but Stuart comes to the rescue, demonstrating the “new” tools and creating a marvelous plan before everyone’s eyes. Mr. Ivey is impressed, and he and his son are able to find some middle ground.
I liked this book for the way it showed the importance of compromise and of being true to your beliefs even when they are challenged.
(This book was published in 1993 by Bradbury Press.)
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