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Release date: March 1, 2011 | Age Range: 5 - 8 years | Lexile Measure: 1020L (What's this?)
Some trees have lived many lifetimes, standing as silent witnesses to history. Some are remarkable for their age and stature; others for their usefulness. A bristlecone pine tree in California has outlived man by almost 4,000 years; a baobab tree in Australia served as a prison for Aboriginal prisoners at the turn of the twentieth century; and a major oak in England was used as a hiding place for Robin Hood and his men (or so the story goes…).
The fourteen trees in this book have earned the title “Celebritrees” for their global fame and significance. Both in fact and in legend, these fascinating trees remind us not only how much pleasure trees bring, but what they can tell us about history.
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Gr 2-4-Preus introduces 14 trees famous in history or legend. Some are renowned for their age, height, girth, or other physical characteristics. For example, Methuselah, a bristlecone pine in California, is more than 4000 years old, while the Tule Tree in Mexico measures 177 feet around. Others are associated with historic events such as the Tree of One Hundred Horses, which sheltered the Queen of Aragon and her soldiers during a rainstorm. The Bodhi tree under which the Buddha gained enlightenment and the Major Oak, where Robin Hood and his men met in Sherwood Forest, also appear. The newest trees are those grown from seeds and taken to the moon on Apollo 14 in 1971. Each featured specimen receives a spread with several paragraphs of text plus Gibbon's charming colored pencil and watercolor illustrations. Readers who want to learn more about one or more of the tree varieties can find additional information at the book's end. Preus also suggests ways to help nurture and preserve trees. The book might be paired with titles such as Jason Chin's Redwoods (Roaring Brook, 2009) or Barbara Bash's Tree of Life (Sierra Club, 1989). It can also introduce the importance of the topic, perhaps in connection with observances such as Arbor Day or Earth Day.-Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review
“It’s a fun spin on a dull topic: old trees. ‘I loved seeing the Coast Redwood next to the Statue of Liberty,’ says a 9-year-old tester.” --Parents magazine
“A kid-friendly ‘Who’s Who’ of the arboreal world. Adding to Celebritrees’ appeal are Rebecca Gibbon’s charming, colorful illustrations.” —Audubon magazine’s blog, “The Perch”
“This beautiful picture book will inspire young naturalists to realize their environment in a new way and treat earth’s silent wooden structures with respect.”—UrbanBaby.com
“A joyful and respectful homage to trees that have stood the test of time.” —Publishers Weekly
“This picture book gallery of impressive trees, illustrated in friendly folk-art style, offers substantive information on what makes each specimen unique.” —Horn Book Magazine
“Engaging.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Each featured specimen receives a spread with several paragraphs of text plus Gibbon’s charming colored pencil and watercolor illustrations.” —School Library Journal
“Gibbon’s acrylic-ink, colored-pencil,and watercolor artwork creates an inviting look throughout the book.” —Booklist
Margi Preus' first novel for young people, Heart of a Samurai, is a 2011 Newbery Honor Book, an ALSC Notable Book and a recipient of the Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature, among other honors. Her newest picture book, Celebritrees; Historic and Famous Trees of the World, is a NYPL 100 Books for Reading and Sharing selection and picked by Parents Magazine as one of the top 20 children's books of 2011. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota where she likes to ski, hike, paddle a kayak, or sit quietly with a book in her lap.
This is a nonfiction picture book celebrating 14 famous trees found in various places around the world (including one in Athens, GA). Each of the trees is given a two page spread. On those pages you will find the type of tree, name of tree, age, location, and a few paragraphs of interesting information about the tree. In the back of the book you can find more information about the tress featured as well as tips about caring for trees, a bibliography, and websites to explore.
I love the feel of the pages when I'm turning them, and turn them is what you want to do when you're in the midst of this fascinating book! The Introduction pays homage to these delightful beings: "Trees are the oldest, biggest, and tallest living organisms on earth." If you've never been a tree hugger before, you will aquire new reverence for them. Aside from the enticing information of these fourteen trees are the enthralling illustrations. This is a book you can read and look at over and over again, and discover something new on each page. I had never heard of Moon Trees, and I thought The Major Oak in Sherwood Forest was just part of the Robin Hood myth--but it's a real tree! You may want to own this book instead of checking it out from the library, and certainly want to visit to some of them!
A delightful book - it grows on me. Too good to give to the grandchildren. It has a dreamlike quality about it from the primitive style of Rebecca Gibbon's artwork. The text is correct - at least for the Major Oak I have a website about. Wish I'd had this book when I was a boy, it lures me to go and find out more about the fascinating trees it introduces.
