Be a Friend to Trees Book and Tape

From School Library Journal
Grade 1-3-The opening of this book is a little misleading in its simplicity- "Trees are nice. They're nice to look at, nice to have around." Lauber goes on to explain increasingly complex topics, such as products made from trees (wood items, paper, maple syrup) and foods from them that animals and people rely on (fruit, nuts, chocolate, leaves, and flowers). They are described as homes for a variety of animals. Finally, an effective description of photosynthesis is provided. Readers will agree with the author's conclusion that "...trees are more than nice-they're something we can't live without!" The remaining three pages offer suggestions for young environmentalists, such as recycling and finding alternatives to paper products. The full-color labeled illustrations complement the text, as do the diagrams that demonstrate manufacturing and scientific processes. Multiethnic children appear throughout. A good introduction to the subject.Pearl Herscovitch, University of Calgary, Alberta, CanadaCopyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Gr. 2-4. Part of the Let's-Read-And-Find-Out Science series, this conveys a lot of information in a simple text with clear line-and-watercolor illustrations. The opening is banal ("Trees are nice"), but Lauber goes on to show that trees are also something we can't live without. She talks about trees as home and food for various animals, as providers of fruits and nuts for humans, as sources of wood and paper, and as conservers of soil. Then words and pictures demonstrate the process of photosynthesis, step-by-step: how trees make food in their leaves and how they release the oxygen we need to breathe. A final section gives hands-on examples for recycling paper and shows two youngsters planting a tree. This easy reader will be welcome in any ecology project, in the classroom or the community. Hazel Rochman

From Kirkus Reviews
``Trees are nice [and] also useful,'' begins the noted science writer, summing up the concepts introduced here. Pointing out the many ordinary objects made from wood or, less obviously, tree products (rubber, turpentine, fruit, paper), she goes on to trees' role in animal habitats and the larger environment, including photosynthesis as an important part of a cycle on which we all depend. The simple yet precise text ends with ways to ``Be a Friend to Trees''. Unfortunately, Keller's illustrations, while bright and attractive, are less precise; especially where tree species are labeled, it's a shame to misrepresent them visually. Misshapen birch trunks or vaguely depicted leaves are fine in the picture book stories at which Keller excels, but they're inappropriate in a science book, no matter how young the audience. Still, the lucid text will make this useful; and creative teachers could make a project of comparing real trees with the art. (Nonfiction/Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Book Description

ANNOTATION

Discusses the importance of trees as sources of food, oxygen, and other essential things.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Why should you be a friend to trees?

Trees are a valuable natural resource. People depend on trees for food, and animals depend on trees for food and shelter. But most important, we depend on trees because they add oxygen, a gas we all need, to the air. While trees give us many wonderful products, we must also protect them because we can't live without them.

Author Biography:

Patricia Lauber is the author of more than sixty-five books for young readers. Many of them are in the field of science, and their range reflects the diversity of her own interests-bats, dolphins, dogs, volcanoes, earthquakes, the ice ages, the Everglades, the planets, earthworms. Two of her books, SEEDS: POP STICK GLIDE and JOURNEY TO THE PLANETS, were nonfiction nominees for The American Book Awards. She was the 1983 winner of The Washington Post/Children's Book Guild Award for her overall contribution to children's nonfiction literature.

As well as writing books, Ms. Lauber has been editor of Junior Scholastic, editor-in-chief of Science World, and chief editor, science and mathematics, of The New Book of Knowledge A graduate of Wellesley College, she is married and lives in Connecticut. When not writing, she enjoys hiking, sailing, traveling, cooking, reading, and listening to music.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

Children who are learning to read can learn about their world with the "Lets-Read-And-Find-Out Science" series. The series is well conceived such that the developmental reading and interest level are matched. Many outstanding nonfiction writers and illustrators are contributing to the series. Stage 2 for ages five to nine handles meatier issues with more complicated ideas and vocabulary than books for the first level. Lauber's Be a Friend to Trees details how trees provide homes for animals and food for human and animals. Trees also provide paper and wood for many products and help to prevent soil erosion. This title is also available in audio format.

Children's Literature - Beverly Kobrin