Synopses & Reviews
Trees have been around for nearly 400 million years, and today about 25,000 species of trees have been identified. Weve relied on trees for everything from fuel, food, and medicine to building houses and railways. Today, trees still touch our lives in countless ways. But what do we really know about them?
Branching Out takes an in-depth look at these incredible plants, introducing the basics of tree biology and profiling 11 different trees from around the world, including familiar ones such as the Red Maple and lesser-known trees like the Tall-Stilted Mangrove. Showcasing the inextricable ways in which trees are part of our society, culture, and economy, this illustrated volume also outlines how animals need trees and how, sometimes, they even help trees survive through symbiosis. Full of useful facts and with a section on conservation, Branching Out, is an essential primer that will leave young readers wanting to treat trees as well as they have treated us.
Review
"An informed and elegant introduction to trees as resources for humans and animals, objects of natural beauty, and sources of inspiration."
Publishers Weekly
"Trees matter in our world. ...An informative introduction for middle-grade readers, especially useful in schools."
- Kirkus Reviews
"Full of useful information and eye-catching images ... A solid overview."
- School Library Journal
"...this well-designed book offers solid information appropriate for both school reports and real-world investigations."
Booklist
"Young botanists will enjoy this homage to trees and casual readers will be inspired to look more carefully at these ubiquitous but essential plants."
Library Media Connection
About the Author
The author of ten books, including the best-selling and award winning Dot to Dot in the Sky series, Joan Marie Galat uses her background in biological sciences and ecology to write on topics relating to natural history. She lives in Edmonton, Alberta. Illustrator and graphic designer Wendy Ding specializes is digital illustration in Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop. She lives in Toronto.