Have you heard about The Halloween Tree?
"Suddenly the day was gone, night came out from under each tree and spread." -Ray Bradbury
A Tree Full of Jack-o-lanterns
I have always loved Ray Bradbury...but I had never heard about The Halloween Tree. The book is a 1972 fantasy novel which traces the history of Samhain and Halloween. Last year I wrote about the origin of Jack-o-lanterns, which was a lot of fun to research. I am going to download this book to my Kindle. The following plot summary is from Wikipedia:
A group of eight boys set out to go trick-or-treating on Halloween, only to discover that a ninth friend, Pipkin, has been whisked away on a journey that could determine whether he lives or dies. Through the help of a mysterious character named Carapace Clavicle Moundshroud, they pursue their friend across time and space through Ancient Egyptian, Ancient Greek, and Roman Cultures, Celtic Druidism, Notre Dame Cathedral in Medieval Paris, and The Day of the Dead in Mexico. Along the way, they learn the origins of the holiday that they celebrate, and the role that the fear of death, spooks, and the haunts has played in shaping civilization. The Halloween Tree itself, with its many branches laden with jack-o-lanterns, serves as a metaphor for the historical confluence of these traditions.
Ray Bradbury's Halloween Tree
Just a few days ago I was sitting underneath this tree. George was waiting out a bout of motion sickness...lol! I told him that I really liked this tree...I loved the simplicity of a tree full of jack-o-lanterns. I noticed a plaque at the base of the oak tree dedicated to Ray Bradbury's dream of a Halloween Tree.
A Tree Full of Jack-O-Lanterns
On October 31, 2007, Ray Bradbury attended the presentation of a Halloween Tree at Disneyland in California, to be included as part of their annual park-wide decorations every year. When I read this, I couldn't wait to go home and make a simple version for my yard.
My Halloween Tree
I tried to just keep it simple...hanging a dozen little pumpkins in the tree.
These were 97 cent pumpkins from Walmart.
I would have bought more...but I bought all there were in a "normal" orange...lol!
The faces were done "free hand" with a sharpie...easiest project ever!
I was going to wait until tomorrow to publish this...then thought...why?
Happy Tuesday!
Note: I tried to find The Halloween Tree on Amazon...but no luck. Is it out of print?
Hi Shirley,
ReplyDeleteThe Halloween Tree is in various forms, (hardcover, paperback, video) on ebay and Barnes & Noble has the paperback online.
Your Halloween tree is wonderful!
☺
Linda
How fun. I must share this book and the tree with my husband.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun idea!! I just may have to be a copy cat!!
ReplyDeleteI must find a hard copy of this book! It sounds fantastic!
ReplyDeleteYour tree looks great, and I love the wood cut-out pumpkin-ghost too!
Erica :)
Such a fun and cute tree of your own!! And great history with the book and original tree too!! Hope your week is going great!! :) xo Holly
ReplyDeleteThis story is new to me. Thank you for sharing. Your tree is adorable! Great job with the jack-o-lantern faces. :)
ReplyDeleteTresa
This story is new to me. Thank you for sharing. Your tree is adorable! Great job with the jack-o-lantern faces. :)
ReplyDeleteTresa
I love the idea of a Halloween tree, yours is fabulous!
ReplyDeleteAww, super fun!! And, such a great idea!! xo Heather
ReplyDeleteHow fun Shirley. I have never heard of the book either. Were you able to download it to your kindle? I have one and would like to do the same. If those pumpkins are just small, I bought 4 to use for favors for our upcoming Oct. club. We decided to do something else so I was going to return them. Do you want them?
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Hi Shirley!
ReplyDeleteI love the tree, you did a fabulous job!
I am catching up on some posts and so glad I didn't miss this one! I have never heard of the book! Thanks for introducing it! Wonderful Halloween tree! Hugs to you Shirley! I love your blog so much :)
ReplyDelete