Review by Booklist Review
Gr. 4^-6. 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
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 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 (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
With accurate, detailed artwork in subdued tones, Morrison tells about the life of a large oak tree throughout the seasons, as well as the lives of the animals in or around the tree, such as hawks, squirrels, bees, and skunks. Abundant footnotes, accompanied by small black-and-white drawings, provide concise information on photosynthesis, tree structure, and the animals mentioned in the text. From HORN BOOK Fall 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
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 (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
