(4) K-3 Illustrated by Lisa Falkenstern. "These are my branches, leafy and high, / a sidewalk for squirrels that soar through the sky." From its roots to its uppermost boughs, an oak tree describes its different parts and tells of the many animals (ants, chipmunks, a woodpecker, children) that benefit from them. Here and there, a couplet's rhythm is bumpy, but the crisp, almost hyper-realistic illustrations are nicely detailed.

Reviewer: Tanya D. Auger

(4) 4-6 Illustrated by Lisa Falkenstern. Although he's been told he's special, Treewing, an unsold Christmas tree, doesn't believe it. On Christmas Eve some homeless people decorate him, and his destiny shines through. As a result, a boy becomes more compassionate and gives his prized baseball to the grouchy tree-lot owner whose son died. Soft black-and-white chapter openers decorate this sentimental holiday tale.

Reviewer: Patricia Riley