Just Like Me, Climbing a Tree: Exploring Trees Around the World

K-Gr 2—This title celebrates the wonder and thrill of a childhood pastime and sheds light on trees from all over the world. Rhythmic, poetic lines suggest reasons why children would enjoy climbing a tree, as well as the ways one might do so: for instance, like a monkey, a chameleon, or a leopard. Rendered in watercolor and gouache, each spread depicts a child in a tree indigenous to a particular country and lists the species name and nation of origin; examples include a mango tree in West Africa or a Montezuma cypress in Mexico. A close-up inset on each page examines the seed or fruit of the tree in question and provides its scientific name. Appended is more in-depth information about each species, such as its physical characteristics, the specific benefits it provides, and the significance it holds for the people of its country. The end pages feature a world map indicating where each tree can be found. A note on the final page include a web address that connects readers to a catchy musical rendition of the text.