Red Leaf, Yellow LeafSummary: "A child describes the growth of a maple tree from seed to sapling."
Strengths: This book is beautifully illustrated with very unique depictions of nature. The pictures are very well coordinated with the words and show unique perspectives of the tree as it grows and moves. This book offers a unique perspective of how the tree grows from seedling and then is moved to the nursery. I think that children would be able to relate to the child narrator and the word choice is great for children learning to read. Many of the pictures are labeled with words describing parts of the picture, such as maple tree roots, garden glove, and Black-capped Chicadee, which promotes science vocabulary development. I also liked the bright background colors used on each double page spread. I also like how the illustrations involve different mediums, such as string, foil, twigs, and cut outs, which allow the pictures to stand out.
Concerns: The book does not have a very moving plot, but does have a story described by a child to whom the student can relate.
Classroom Use/Other Comments: This book would be great for children aged 4 to 8, depending on the use of the book. Younger children could use this book as they are learning to read, as they develop their vocabulary, and as they learn about plants and seasons. A recipe and directions for making a bird treat is located at the back of the book, which would be a fun activity for children. Older children can use this book to learn about the process of tree growth and observation, as a lesson integrating literature with science. The end of the book also has a lot of information about different elements of maple trees, which can be useful for older students.
No comments:
Post a Comment