Cool Green

January 1, 2023
This globe-trotting, poetic homage pays tribute to some of nature's most unusual trees. More than 73,000 species of trees exist on Earth, and, as Delacre explains at the end of the book, this volume focuses on some of the rarer 9,000 that most humans will never encounter. As told through a grandfather's recounting to a granddaughter (brown-skinned and cued as Latine), with some unitalicized Spanish included, this work looks at trees such as General Sherman, a giant Sequoia in Tulare County, California; the African baobab; and the rainbow gum, found in Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. Remarkably, Delacre has incorporated leaves from the actual trees into the book's vivid illustrations. Unfortunately, a sense of place is lost amid the verse ("its white hanging bells, / laden with sweet-sour scent, / lure bats from beyond"). It's not until the backmatter, which includes a note from Delacre and a section on the importance of trees, that the locations and names of the trees covered are made explicit. There's so much good information here that it's a shame so much of it isn't more effectively woven into the narrative. Still, the material as a whole is a deep dive into a fascinating aspect of the natural world.(This book was reviewed digitally.) A thought-provoking arboreal exploration. (websites, bibliography) (Nature picture book. 4-8)

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February 17, 2023
Grades K-3 Loosely framed as a conversation between una ni�a and her abuelo, this poetic picture book introduces young readers to ""some of the reasons why trees are astounding."" A series of double-page spreads highlights just a remarkable few of Earth's 73,000 species, each entry containing one or two rhythmic free-verse stanzas that describe a tree and its defining traits. There are some common subjects, like redwoods and baobabs, but most are less known, such as the ahuehuete, Wollemi pine, and moringa. Illustrations done in acrylic paint, stamped leaf prints, and ""collaged specimens"" are able to provide interesting details and dynamic angles of the fascinating flora. A smattering of Spanish is mostly what reminds readers of the dialogue conceit, which ends by touching briefly on the importance of conservation. Happily, back matter expands on and helpfully adds to this as well as the facts within the text. All in all, a solid entr�e.

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March 27, 2023
Coconut palms, monkey puzzles, baobabs, and many others appear in this stylized visual celebration of trees’ many magnificent features. An opening exchange between a Latinx-cued child and their abuelo (“Why am I in awe of trees?/ Trees are astounding!”) frames affectionate verse that highlights the surprising characteristics of coniferous and deciduous varieties alike. A vibrant rainbow gum is “Mother Nature’s/ ever-changing masterpiece,” while “The Wollemi pine/ is a dinosaur tree.” English text that intersperses Spanish phrases further lauds “old and wise” mother trees and an “intricate network/ of fungal filaments.” Employing acrylic paint, stamped leaf prints, and texture-providing collaged specimens, perspective-oriented illustrations alternately look upward, zoom in on bark, and offer distant silhouettes, fittingly hinting at the many ways in which trees are “cool green.” An author’s note and tree facts conclude. Ages 4–8.

April 1, 2023

Gr 2-5-There is so much life in trees, and trees bring so much life into our world. Delacre shares her love for trees by selecting 14 different ones from around the globe. Readers learn about each tree by following the path of a young girl and her abuelo as they work together checking on and caring for trees. Across the spreads, readers see them planting seeds that will grow into mighty trees. Delacre also provides historical information about the trees featured in the book, sharing research and how she arrived at her work. Finally, she challenges readers to be good stewards of trees. VERDICT Delacre's declaration of the essential role of trees is admirable and should be heeded by all; in text and pictures she makes clear their beauty and uniqueness.-Laura Ellis

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