Beyond the Pawpaw Trees (Anna Lavinia)

I had never heard of this book before, perhaps because it was out of print for many years. Then I heard what a wonderful book it was on a book blog. I'd been looking for a "first" chapter book to read aloud to my five year old daughter. It is back in print now, so I ordered a copy.It is such a charming story. It was written in the 1950's. It is the story of a girl named Anna Lavinia who lives with her mom in a distant house far away from neighbors and the village. When she finally ventures out beyond the grove of paw paw trees to visit her aunt by train, Anna Lavinia begins what is to become a magical journey to distant lands full of secrets and surprises.I had so much fun reading this book for the first time as an adult. I can only imagine how much better it must be for a child to read this. My five year old LOVED it. Every night we read one or two chapters and she would race through her bedtime routine, just because she was so excited to hear more of the story. There are very cute pencil sketch drawings on almost every page (sometimes every other page.)I think there is a second book and it is coming back to print in April 2012. I definitely will read that to my daughter as well and I look so forward to continue Anna Lavinia's adventures. This was the best chapter book ever to read to your young children and a great book for anyone of all ages to enjoy. I count myself lucky to have discovered this book.

I've read this to my five year olds twice now and they really like it. It as their first long book. I, however, think it gets a slow start and is just odd in places, but that's probably what they like. The ending is the strongest part. Spoiler alert! The mother had dismissed the father as "chasing rainbows", the little girl inadvertently tracks down the father through a mystical/fantastical journey only to find out she was right. He was chasing rainbows, and collecting up pots of gold from the end of each one. Sweet ending and reunited family at the finish.

This book is very dreamy and written in a mystical magical way. That being said it was almost an eerie book which gave me a weird feeling. The story was very surreal...to the point where I didn't like it. And yet I am glad I read it because of that eerie little feeling it gave me. A very unique book and a feeling I won't soon forget, even though I thought it was unnerving. I might even read the sequel even though I'm not looking forward to it.

My children and I first discovered Palmer Brown when we checked "Cheerful" out from our neighborhood library. We were hooked instantly, and immediately read all of his wonderful, imaginative, charming books for kids. My kids are 6 and 8, a bit too young to read these books easily, so instead we parents read them out loud to them each night. All the books are great, and I have truly loved each one, but this one is not my favorite. It is my son's favorite though, probably because it incorporates an element of fantasy beyond Brown's other books. This one almost feels like Sci Fi in some of the chapters, and just a little too out there for me. If you are new to Palmer Brown, I recommend trying Cheerful or Hickory before this one.

This book has just been reissued for the first time in decades. I read its sequel, The Silver Nutmeg, when I was in third grade and never forgot it; in fact, I credit that book as stimulating my lifelong love of fantasy. I was never able to find Beyond the Paw-Paw Trees at a price that I could afford. Now, I have my OWN copy! It was worth the wait--a gentle, amusing, little tale that reflect how children look at the world, answering the question of what happens when the end of the line comes and the railroad tracks merge into one. This rates with CS Lewis' Narnia and any other "children's" book that adults also love.

I enjoyed the book but there is something about it that doesn't make me out and out love it. I think the first book was better, perhaps the interactions are better. I found this had a lack of relationships and this meant the fun wasn't the same. I also missed the sense of anticipation that the father's absence (and imminent homecoming) brought to the first Palmer Brown book.This is still a pretty, charming book but not such a classic for me.

Great story i read in my childhood. So glad to find it! I must have checked this book and The Silver Nutmeg out of our school library 10 times or more. The Silver Nutmeg is part 2 to Beyond The Paw Paw Trees. I really hope my daughter likes it. I was sad there were only 2 books about Anna Lavinia. I wouldve loved a whole series!

We loved this book so so much. My only real issue is the train where she meets the "fat woman" and that is literally the only identification this person gets. Several pages of dialogue with fat woman over and over again. Why. Not necessary. Otherwise really great.

I have looking for this book quite literally for decades. I first read it when I was about 9 years old and I am just about to celebrate my 65th birthday. Now and again I would try to find it on line with no luck. The fact that I couldn't quite remember the title could have contributed to this problem but I knew "paw paw trees" were involved. Imagine my excitement when I tried again and there it was on Amazon, my go-to place for most things. It is sweet and enchanting although not quite as adventurous in the Alice in Wonderland vein that I remember but it would still be an excellent gift for an imaginative bookish child.

Excellent reprint.