Readers will identify with her desire to have everything perfect in her new play house and her courage for independence but also will relate to her need for an ultimate place where she belongs. Bentley’s watercolor-and-pencil illustrations portray Audrey with curly red hair and lots of spunk. Luckily Dad, as always, responds with the perfect answer of where she can stay always, regardless of how big she is. When all seems complete, Dad makes his way toward his house-and Audrey begins to have second thoughts about staying alone in her new treehouse. Her industrious father supplies each of Audrey’s seemingly endless requests for a bed, a stove, and chairs. Next a bathtub for snorkeling is hoisted up into the treetop. An elaborate twisting staircase with a rail for sliding down is built. Then Audrey points to a tall tree in their yard, and good-natured Dad gets to work. Hughes uses dialogue between daughter and dad to move the plot forward, Dad suggesting the chicken coop, the garage, and even a shed, and Audrey turning them all down. A little girl who declares that her dad’s house is too small for her spurs an epic building project.
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