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In this updated and revised edition of Tree, readers can follow a seed grow into a sapling, the changing colors of fall leaves, and the tiny insects that live in rotting leaves on the forest floor, plus learn why deciduous trees lose their leaves in the fall, how a tree breathes, how bark defends trees from attack by animals, and more.
Each revised Eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: Vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.
Each revised Eyewitness book retains the stunning artwork and photography from the groundbreaking original series, but the text has been reduced and reworked to speak more clearly to younger readers. Still on every colorful page: Vibrant annotated photographs and the integrated text-and-pictures approach that makes Eyewitness a perennial favorite of parents, teachers, and school-age kids.
72 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1988
About the author
David Burnie
193 books24 followersDavid Andrew Burnie is an accomplished zoologist who was a nature reserve ranger before becoming a natural history author and editor. A prolific writer of many books, including several on dinosaurs, he has seen many of his titles win educational awards and science prizes. His titles for Kingfisher include Kingfisher Knowledge: Endangered Planet and The Kingfisher Illustrated Dinosaur Encyclopedia, which was nominated for the Aventis Prize for Science Books in 2002.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 16, 2024
How can you NOT love trees?
This book does the usual first-rate DK job of briefly but thoroughly covering every aspect of forestdom - not just the whole seeds/bark/cones/leaves/fruit/needles bit, but peripheral topics like the timber industry, acid rain, good and bad insects and animals, etc. - its pretty much all in there somewhere, including this interesting illustration of how (and how NOT) to cut timber in order to maximize the "good" (i.e., won't warp with the grain) amount of lumber:
Meanwhile, in the "everything I learned in primary school is BS" category, it turns out my childhood understanding that trees are either "coniferous" or "deciduous" is totally wrong. Trees are either "coniferous" (cone-bearing) or "broadleaf" (having, y'know, broad leaves), and can be either "deciduous" or "evergreen." "Deciduous" simply means "loses its leaves in winter;" and while most deciduous trees are indeed braodleafs, there are in fact a few conifers that do shed their leaves (some larches and redwoods). Conversely, "evergreens" - which in general are your coniferous guys - actually include some broadleafs that DON'T lose their leaves at all (some oaks and magnolias). And don't even get me stared on palm trees...
Also interesting: the "dawn redwood" is apparently the "coelacanth" of the tree world, in that it was known only from fossils and so thought to be extinct up until the 1940's, when living trees discovered in China. The things you learn!
This book does the usual first-rate DK job of briefly but thoroughly covering every aspect of forestdom - not just the whole seeds/bark/cones/leaves/fruit/needles bit, but peripheral topics like the timber industry, acid rain, good and bad insects and animals, etc. - its pretty much all in there somewhere, including this interesting illustration of how (and how NOT) to cut timber in order to maximize the "good" (i.e., won't warp with the grain) amount of lumber:
Meanwhile, in the "everything I learned in primary school is BS" category, it turns out my childhood understanding that trees are either "coniferous" or "deciduous" is totally wrong. Trees are either "coniferous" (cone-bearing) or "broadleaf" (having, y'know, broad leaves), and can be either "deciduous" or "evergreen." "Deciduous" simply means "loses its leaves in winter;" and while most deciduous trees are indeed braodleafs, there are in fact a few conifers that do shed their leaves (some larches and redwoods). Conversely, "evergreens" - which in general are your coniferous guys - actually include some broadleafs that DON'T lose their leaves at all (some oaks and magnolias). And don't even get me stared on palm trees...
Also interesting: the "dawn redwood" is apparently the "coelacanth" of the tree world, in that it was known only from fossils and so thought to be extinct up until the 1940's, when living trees discovered in China. The things you learn!
September 16, 2020
Reading this Brings Me Back to When I Used to Watch the Eyewitness Series on Home Video in the 90s.
September 29, 2017
I enjoyed learning all kinds of things about trees. I have always loved trees, literally being a tree-hugger. That's right, I'd wrap my arms right around a tree. Anyway, I found this edition to be a bit less clearly explained than some of the others in the series.
February 16, 2022
Copy I picked up is a bit dated (1988) and talks about acid rain but not climate change. Still, amazing photographs of leaves, flowers, pine cones, bark, and all the other various parts of trees. Interesting to page through and would be useful in a tree unit or nature study at school.
October 9, 2023
I picked this up at a library book sale, because I love trees. Sometimes a book written for children is the perfect light non-fiction because it teaches you things without making assumptions of what you already know.
September 2, 2020
Very informative and arranged in a way that kept it easy to read.
May 20, 2021
Great reference for learning tree identification.
August 27, 2022
Good, solid, informative book. Great for curious Young minds.
October 23, 2022
The boys love these books for our "science" reading
September 6, 2024
This illustrated nonfiction book gives a nice concise overview of the three great divisions of trees--broadleaves, conifers and palms.
February 24, 2017
As a tree lover I found Trees a fascinating read. The pictures and illustrations were eye-catching and I enjoyed learning everything taught about trees. I was overwhelmed with information and believe Trees to be a book geared towards those who might have an interest in Dendrology or Agronomist.
February 8, 2016
OK I know these are supposed to be kid books but they are awesome! Great pictures and just enough text to make you want to learn more. Great choices for a beginning history reader or to start an older reader out in a new area. Every time I pick one of these up and read it I learn new things. Highly Recommended
February 26, 2010
I found this book at "The Bookstore" (used bookstore) and love eyewitness books. I especially like all the pictures of different kinds of trees.
October 24, 2014
a child's resource that teaches about the function, format and the diversity of trees
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December 27, 2013AR Quiz No. 17248 EN Nonfiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 7.4 - AR Pts: 1.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: MG - BL: 7.4 - AR Pts: 1.0
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews