A Kid’s Guide to Backyard Trees

Gr 2-6–An illustrated field guide to forty trees commonly found in the United States. The compact size makes this book useful for taking on tree-identifying expeditions. The table of contents is organized by leaf shape, enabling readers to more quickly find their tree. The introduction asks a series of questions, useful in guiding readers when looking for identifying characteristics. Each spread is dedicated to a tree, with a full-page illustration on the left and facts about the tree’s range, shape, leaves, bark, and flowers on the right. The descriptions of the trees often include comments about the insects and animals that use the tree for food or shelter. Closeup illustrations of the leaves, fruit, and seeds round out each tree entry. This is a good starting place for learning about and identifying trees. While some readers might prefer a field guide with photographs for more precise identification, the simple and straightforward way the information is presented in this guide sets it apart. VERDCICT A good purchase for any library looking to offer more books on exploring the outdoors.