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

Bill Gates.

Harbo, Christopher L.   Bill Gates.  Capstone Publishers    2014  24p  $21.32  ISBN 978-1-4765-9641-9  pre K-elem  series: Business Leaders  Biography  E-BNes

This brief introductory biography of Bill gates is designed for the early elementary grades.  It includes the bare-bones facts of his life and work.  Starting with his childhood, it covers the start of Microsoft, its growth, and his work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

The format for each double-page spread is a photograph and facing text.  The photographs are captioned.  A developing timeline is at the bottom of each two-page spread.  The glossary is brief, and three print titles are provided for further information, along with the publisher-sponsored FactHound web site.  The index is adequate.  Two questions are provided for a parent or teacher to extend critical thinking skills using Common Core Standards.
 

This is an excellent resource for the primary grades.

Summary: A biography of Bill Gates for the youngest readers.  Includes the basic facts with a running timeline at the bottom of each two-page spread. Grades K-2.           

The Business Leaders series includes four titles.  Each is a brief early reader biography of a business leader and the company he started.  The titles include Bill Gates, Milton Hershey, Sam Walton and Wallace “Famous” Amos.  

Bill Gates-Biography                                  --Joan Theal