ARE TREES ALIVE

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)