Tate, Nikki. Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet.

Tate, Nikki.  Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet.     Orca  2016  48p  $19.95  ISBN 978-1-4598-0582-8  pre K-elem   Nonfiction  VG-BNe     

This is a very well-organized book about how trees keep “our world healthy from the ground up,” written from a very personal perspective and addressing the importance of trees on the quality of the global environment. The text is easily understood, with a glossary at the back of the book. Throughout the book, full-color photos and graphics are placed adjacent to related text. There is a nice variety of sidebars throughout the book. In sidebars entitled “I Love (heart icon) Trees,” the author relates specific tree stories from her life; for example, there is one on page 22 where she talks about her garden and a eucalyptus tree. Another sidebar titled “Wood Works” discusses uses for wood and ways it can be recycled; for example, on page 27 there is one that mentions up-cycling wood cabinets. “Forest Facts” and “Try This!” are two other interesting types of sidebars found throughout the book.

This is a delightful book that makes trees and their importance in the life cycle of our planet very accessible and enjoyable for young readers. 

Trees                                                             --Lynn Fisher