From School Library Journal
Kindergarten-Grade 2-Some of Bernhard's examples are basic such as "light/dark" and "big/small." Others are more advanced, e.g., "hunter/prey" and "growing/dormant." All of the word pairs serve as catalysts for further discussion. The pairs of antonyms are presented singularly on opposing pages of each spread. The text has a pleasing cadence: "winter/summer/earth/sky/growing/ dormant/wet/dry." Older children will enjoy flipping back and forth to read the descriptions of particular animals or plants that are depicted in the pictures in the illustrated glossary. While the text is simple, the art is complex. The vibrant paintings pay close attention to detail. Best suited for independent reading, this title is a welcome addition to nature-study collections.
Jill O'Farrell, Tatum Primary School, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Jill O'Farrell, Tatum Primary School, TX
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Kirkus Reviews
PLB 0-531-33213-6 Bernhard offers an opportunity for studying opposites with the examination of a single pear tree throughout the seasons. Simpler pairs, such as ``light/dark,'' ``spring/fall,'' and ``inside/outside,'' give way to more difficult concepts such as ``growing/dormant'' and ``hunter/prey.'' Each delicate yet fertile gouache spread depicts the pear tree in contrastsset against a rainy gray sky for ``wet'' or, for ``dry,'' a sunny sky with a child hanging from its branches over green grass. There is also the snow-covered, bare branches of ``winter'' and the fruit-filled, caterpillar-strewn tree of ``summer.'' Among the pairs of opposites are animals, birds, plant life, and insects that comprise the world of a single tree. A few spreads are a bit confusing; ``growing'' refers to a caterpillar boring into a leaf as it eats but nothing can be found on the ``dormant'' page opposite that obviously connects with it. In addition, a curled-up chipmunk and snake are shown in circles, hybernating, but it's hard to tell, for example, that the chipmunk's burrow is actually underground. For those who relish the hide-and-seek approach, an illustrated glossary at the back sheds some light on each creature and assists readers in identifying plants and animals throughout. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©2000, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
