Trees (Nature All Around)

Gr 3-5—In this nonfiction installment, Hickman and Gavin present a scenic picture book about trees in the United States and Canada. This picture book is similar to a guidebook, breaking down scientific facts about each tree and allowing readers to see each piece that makes a tree grow with realistic watercolor and goauche diagrams. From the sprouting of a seed to a tree's life throughout the seasons, children are shown every aspect of trees in great, colorful detail. The book offers a table of contents, activities throughout, a glossary, and an index. Although the amount of information can be overwhelming, the facts are broken down into paragraphs and bullet points for older readers, while the beauty of the illustrated diagrams and activities will engage younger readers too. VERDICT Classroom teachers, school librarians, and fans of Hickman's previous books will enjoy this lovely, informative volume.—Hilary Tufo, Columbus Metropolitan Library-Reynoldsburg

Watercolor and gouache illustrations with a light-handed contemporary sensibility enliven a straightforward and comprehensive introduction to U.S. and Canadian trees. Essentials such as tree structure, the difference between deciduous and evergreen trees, leaf morphology, and how trees breathe, eat, and pollinate are all explained in direct, accessible text. Seasonally themed spreads cover why leaves fall and how maple syrup is made, while others illuminate interesting tree behaviors, such as the fact that cold nights might actually cause trees to crack with a bang. Varied text formats--sidebars, lists, and asides--make it easy to absorb all this information, and sections on beginner tree watching, forest regions, and strange trees (among them the manchineel and its "death apples") offer alternate pathways to engage attention. A glossary and index conclude this thoughtfully presented resource. Ages 7-10. (Apr.)