The rich, detailed illustrations and the lyrical text carry an important, empowering message for children and adults alike: No matter where you live or what your circumstances are, where there is imagination, there is hope.

The note on the book jacket says, of Anderson, “His art studio is packed from floor to ceiling with broken clocks, cracked microscopes, and other odd bits and pieces. This is a very magical picture book about an old man who dreams of planting a forest in a very desolate place. The book could be used as a trigger for some fantastic artwork, exploring contrasts in tone and texture, exploring mixed media or responding emotionally to the story. The story has fantastic pictures which increase in colour and animation as the story continues and as hope grows.

Beautiful story, sweetly told with engrossing illustrations that are magical and yet almost ugly at times in perfect keeping with the garbage-metal world the man lives in at first. Lots of lovely opportunities for children to look at abandoned homes, towns or cities that have given way to nature. That being said, I am completely drawn to this old man, who lived in “a wide, windswept place, near nowhere and close to forgotten,” who every day “tried to clear away the garbage,” and who dreamed tropical dreams. Really enjoyed this book because there is some really interesting vocabulary used and many hidden meanings within the text.

The primary color is yellow, and it stands in stark contrast to the metallic gray of the tin forest. In time, real birds arrive, bearing seeds, and soon the artificial forest is taken over by living vines and animals until it looks just like the forest of the old man's dreams.With faith, ingenuity and hard work, he transforms it into a wonderland in this poetic modern fable. It can be viewed as a story about the importance of looking after the Earth, a story about the power of resilience and perseverance or the idea that hope can spring in the darkest of places. The larger theme of the episode was picture books for dark days: “If you’re ever going through a rough time, the students at PS 234 would like to help you out by suggesting some books that will make you feel better,” Burton says, then adds, as he does in every episode, “But you don’t have to take my word for it. Although we are focusing on English, it would be remiss not to mention the artistic potential of The Tin Forest.