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.
內容簡介:
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.
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.
關於作者:
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
PostChildren''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.