Oak Tree - Hardcover

Morrison, Gordon

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0395956447 ISBN 13: 9780395956441

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2000

Synopsis

As the oak tree blossoms, robins and squirrels begin to build their nests, bees fly in and out of their hive, and the tree comes to life. Not only is the oak a living thing itself, it is also a habitat for other living creatures that depend on it for nesting, food, and shelter. Readers follow the tree and its inhabitants through seasons of flowering, leafing and fruiting, the return to a deep winter sleep, and the springtime reawakening -- completing a cycle which has gone unbroken for more than one hundred years.

About this title

About the Author

Gordon Morrison is a well-known naturalist whose work has been praised by Roger Tory Peterson as "Marvelous, beautiful, excellent . . . Morrison’s work is so inspiring that I wish such clear material was available when I was slowly learning ecology. . . . We owe a debt of gratitude to Gordon for his interpretive skills as an artist. He is a superb teacher who uses visual methods." Robert Bateman likened his work to that of Albrecht Durer and Andrew Wyeth. Gordon Morrison makes his home in Massachusetts.

Reviews

Grade 2-5-Another handsome book from the author/illustrator of Bald Eagle (Houghton, 1998). A simple, straightforward narrative in large print describes the white oak, its growth, and the animals that live in and feed off it. In much smaller print, detailed asides describe the tree's inhabitants and its full life cycle, which can be read along with the large text or enjoyed separately. Explanations of terms such as photosynthesis, transpiration, and dormancy and a discussion of the autumnal colors are included. These descriptions are accompanied by small, meticulously detailed pen-and-ink drawings. Larger illustrations accompany the major narrative, also done in pen and ink, with the addition of subtle shades of watercolor. Changes in color and light help readers to experience the passage of the seasons. Unfortunately, the full enjoyment of the book is somewhat marred by two visual flaws. First, the way the type for the title is composed is jarring at first glance-it seems to say "Toak Ree." Secondly, a very small gray tree frog (2 1/2 inches in length) appears larger than the robin (9-to-11 inches in length) pictured behind it. In all other respects, this is a beautiful and informative book for young naturalists.
Virginia Golodetz, Children's Literature New England, Burlington, VT
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

The seasons of an oak tree from spring to spring and the animals who live in and around it are presented with meticulously drawn pencil and watercolor paintings, which extend the text and convey additional information. Morrison (Bald Eagle, 1998) provides both full-page portraits of the tree at each season, and many smaller drawings capture details up close; for example, the male oak flower and its rain of pollen, the cocoon of the cecropia moth attached to a twig, or the spring acorn sprouting. The lyrical text describes the cycle of seasons, while captions for small drawings provide information on animals shown, additional scientific explanations, and specialized vocabulary. For example, captions explain transpiration, photosynthesis, and the sun's effect on seasons. Thumbnail portraits of tree crickets, woolly bear caterpillars, opposums, hog snakes, robins, and other animals complete the picture. Beautiful design, carefully chosen information, and fine craftsmanship by the author have produced another splendid science nature title that invites careful reading and viewing. (Nonfiction. 8-12)-- Copyright © 2000 Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

A picture-book format makes this especially appealing. After a long winter rest, an old oak tree is awakened by spring's arrival. A year in the life of an oak tree is described. Without being cute, Morrison manages to make the tree, its inhabitants, and visitors characters in a story about life and nature. Each phase of the tree's development is lovingly depicted in language and pictures that are scientific as well as colorful and accessible. Margin notes about the animals and processes are located across the bottom and along the sides of the pages. The notes are slightly more scientific than the text itself and occasionally threaten to overtake the page. Despite that, this book is equally engaging as reference or personal-interest reading for the science-minded child. Marta Segal

Edition details

• Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
• Publication date: 2000
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0395956447
• ISBN 13: 9780395956441
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 30