The Tree Almanac: A Year-Round Activity Guide

An introduction to trees throughout the seasons. Suggests activities.

Grade 4-6-This is not so much an almanac as an introduction to trees, arranged by season. However, the organization is flawed. On each page, the text, inserts of odd facts, and photos are poorly integrated, which tends to derail any particular train of thought. The use of bold type to indicate words listed in the glossary or simply for emphasis is disconcerting. Most of the photos are in black and white, but there is an eight-page full-color insert. The layout is spacious, with many drawings and attractive adornments, but the overall effect is gray and pedestrian. Two photos and their captions are almost identical. Teachers looking for projects will be disappointed at how few are offered here. What could have been either an excellent introduction to trees or a seasonal activity book turns out to be neither, alas.
Sharon Levin, University of Vermont, Burlington
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Gr. 4-7. Russo begins with an explanation of what trees are and how they are grouped into families and species. Subsequent chapters describe the condition of trees in each of the four seasons, beginning with spring. Many drawings and photographs illustrate the text, which gives a broad overview rather than detailed information. Diseases and insects that harm trees are discussed as are harmless lichens, but no mention is made of mosses or burls. The text is accessible to a young reader, but the close-up views of leaves and bark and the list of tree families with the common and botanical names of the species will make it useful for older readers, too. A good introduction to the topic for middle-grade or junior-high students. Sheilamae O'Hara