Sky Tree: Seeing Science Through Art [Hardcover]

Thomas Locker (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: July 20, 1995 | Age Range: 5 and up | Lexile Measure: 490L (What's this?)

A tree stands on a hill by a river. As the sky changes, so does the tree, its branches filling with clouds, stars, snow, birds, mists, and the golden spring sun. One tree can mean many things.

Thomas Locker's lyrical text records the changes in the tree's world just as simply as a child might observe them, and his magnificent paintings crystallize the natural phenomena that embellish the tree on each page. Questions at the bottom of each page lead to a unique discussion in the back of the book, where art and science are intertwined, and further depth is added to the wonder of Sky Tree.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Science and art appreciation join forces in this unusual variation on the theme of changing seasons. Accomplished oil paintings in a high romantic style show a single tree and its surroundings in transition-in deep winter or at the peak of autumn, for example. Quasi-surrealistic scenes of clouds, birds and stars filling bare winter branches challenge the reader to imagine the tree interacting with the sky and its inhabitants, and to ponder the liberties representational artists may take. Accompanying text lightly points out incremental changes in atmosphere and their effects, and each image is paired also with a question or two directly addressing the reader ("Why does this painting make you feel sad? Is the tree dying?"; "How does this painting capture the stillness of a snowy day?"). Written by Candace Christiansen, a chemistry teacher as well as a children's author, the questions and their answers (included in an illustrated epilogue) give a mildly scientific cast to basic lessons in understanding art. A modest introduction, but neither art nor science really blooms. Ages 5-9.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3?In his familiar lyrical style, Locker depicts the same tree throughout the seasons, but with a startling visual effect that will make readers sit up and take notice. After its leaves have dropped, the tree's bare branches are "clothed" in the same shape by being limned against clouds, holes in clouds, different skies, and even a flock of birds. The effect is as lovely as anything the artist has ever done. Each painting faces a brief appreciative caption printed in slightly enlarged type, plus a question designed to elicit responses to what viewers see (and further discussion in an appendix). However, some of the questions are leading ("Why does this painting make you feel sad?"), and the prose is less than careful: "By the end of the day many leaves began to fall, first one and then another." Text and pictures do not always correlate either; despite reference to "the weight of the heavy snow," the tree opposite "Snows [sic] fell" shows only a dusting. Though appealing in several ways?Locker adds analytical comments about color and composition that are particularly illuminating?the writing here is not up to the standard set by the art.?John Peters, New York Public Library
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 40 pages
• Publisher: HarperCollins; 1st edition (July 20, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060248831
• ISBN-13: 978-0060248833
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.3 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,942,557 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful illustrations of trees. Articulate descriptions. October 1, 1999

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I used this book for a language arts lesson for 3rd grade. Students were able to illustrate the tree based on the description alone! The illustrations are spectacular and students were in awe. Excellent book to have in your library in school or at home!

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Science Through Art November 6, 2004

By Happy Reader

Format:Hardcover

Sky Tree shows how a tree growing on a hill by a river changes through all four seasons. Locker's oil paintings are beautiful and accurate. The text records the changes the tree experiences in simple language. There are questions at the bottom of each page where text appears that provoke discussion. At the end of the book, Locker gives a scientific explanation of each of the paintings: the summer tree, the change tree, the autumn tree, etc. This is a great book to use for teaching about the world of nature.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Sky Tree is a beautiful book May 19, 2002

By Harriet Emerson

Format:Hardcover

I absolutely love Thomas Locker's art and share his love of trees. Each page of this book presents the same tree in a different light or season. Candance Christiansen's scientific and teaching background add good information to Locker's books. However, for me, it's still Locker's beautiful oil paintings that are the primary draw.
His painting of the tree with a night sky transports me to Georgia O'Keeffe's tree at night or Van Gogh's Starry Night. I'd have been just as thrilled with it at 3 as I am at 53.