Rosy's Giant Avocado Tree

In the yard of the home I grew up in, there was a huge avocado tree. I did two things more than anything as a kid: read books, and sit in that tree (usually both at the same time). I spent more time up in those branches than in my house.
I read James and the Giant Peach in that tree, and I loved the story. I wished I could have those magic crocodile tongues to spread over the roots, in the hopes that the whole plant would grow so tall no person or problem could reach me, and I could enjoy the view and my books as long as I wanted, in the company of only my favorite critters that would grow big like the ones in the story.
Our landlord sold the house and evicted my family, and I was made to leave the home and yard I'd loved for all my sixteen years. When I finally moved back to my hometown after graduating high school, I drove by my good old house only to find the entire back yard had been uprooted and paved over to become the parking lot of some cheap dollar-store hair salon, the house painted in hideous colors and the avocado tree I thought could withstand anything (and its surrounding mini-forest of smaller trees) gone without a trace.
My tree may be gone, but I still use it as my personal retreat from the world, if only in my head these days, or substituted by other trees that never seem quite as good. I still read all the time, too, even in trees when I can. Whenever I really need a dose of day-dreaming, I imagine that my tree was still around and it had grown large enough to live in.
This piece is a tribute to a fantastic children's author, my favorite film producer, all the critters and stories that kept me company as a child, and the tree that always seemed to keep me safe. I only wish I could have returned the favor.

<sub>When I saw the contest, I immediately started working on this. I loved my tree, James' story, the film, even Lane Smith, one of the illustrators of the book. I tried to go for his whimsical feel and kept to the same theme of J&TGP as much as I could. Details like the cluster of strung-up birds, the wooden plank stairs, and the critters in clothes :] The background could be better, but I hope you enjoy this anyway!

Bits of the process here: [link]
Art © Me, *RosyKunoichi</sub>