In this picture-book-size introduction, Miller explains how trees take in nutrients, grow, and survive changes in their environment. Information is simply, succinctly, and effectively conveyed in a few sentences. Colorful, double-page-spread, gouache-and-acrylic illustrations show trees from regions around the world, which are identified in a picture glossary at the back of the book. One of the best illustrations captures the immensity of redwoods by angling the view downward from mid-trunk and showing a tiny figure standing at the base of the tree. The endpapers are decorated with a world map showing distribution of the trees. The map is somewhat misleading, however, as a tree such as the paper birch, which actually occupies a wide range, is shown only in one small area.

Joey is a fine farm horse sold for cavalry use in World War I. Through Joey's Black Beauty-esque narration, readers learn of the futility of cavalry against machine guns; the loss of Joey's companion, Topthorn; and Joey's reunion with the farm boy who loves him. At times deeply affecting, the story balances the horror with moments of respite and care.

Responding to her daughter's question about how trees breathe without noses, the author celebrates the common features of trees and humans in this multicultural picture book more successful for its art than its science. She compares tree roots to human feet: "Roots anchor a tree, like your feet help you stand." And: "A crown is the top of a tree, like your head is at the top of your body. The branches and leaves of a large crown give you lots of shade on a hot summer day." While the extended metaphor is rather muddled, she succeeds in conveying a warm feeling for trees and the environment. In an afterword, she invites readers to send her a digital picture of a tree to post on her Web site, and concludes with thumbprint pictures and facts about trees and animals seen in the illustrations. The artist uses acrylic paint and gouache to great effect, presenting double-page layouts showing trees and children around the world. Especially appealing are a tropical layout with bananas, cocoa pods, butterfly, bat, boa constrictor, and a smiling face; and an island scene with a sandy beach, seabirds, sprouting coconut, and a young family. End papers show where in the world trees from different pages are found. A feel-good story from the tree-hugging illustration on the front cover to the cozy family picnic at the end. (Picture book. 5-7)

PreS-Gr 2 Using comparisons to the human body, Miller describes the characteristics of trees. In simple but poetic terms, she compares the veins of a leaf to those in a person's hand. She tells readers that the tree trunk supports the tree as our legs support us, and that "Bark is dark or light, rough or smooth, thick or thin, just like people's skin." Children can travel the globe, examining common and unusual treesa weeping willow in China, a baobab in Africa, Australia's ribbon gum, the paper birch of North America, India's banyan tree, etc. The vibrant acrylic-and-gouache illustrations are scientifically accurate and inviting, and the people depicted reflect the cultures of the trees' locations. Illustrated notes at the back of the book explain where they grow and their relative sizes and ages. The trees are also displayed on a map on the colorful endpapers. Team this unique title with such picture books as Cristina Kessler's My Great-Grandmother's Gourd (Orchard, 2000), Lynne Cherry's Great Kapok Tree (Harcourt, 1990), and Scott Sanders's Meeting Trees (National Geographic, 1997) for an informative unit or display about these plants. Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA