Author: Carole Gerber
Illustrator: Leslie Evans
Format: Paperback
Published: Charlesbridge, 2008

A sort of poetic field guide, Winter Trees uses beautiful illustrations and brief rhyming text to help kids identify trees in winter. Readers will be interested to learn that bare-branched trees have distinct, recognizable shapes. "They stand distinct as skeletons. We clearly see the form of each: the egg shape of the maple tree; the taller oval of the beech..." Gerber then describes the ways bark, branches, buds, or leaves can provide more clues for tree identification. She reveals the ways trees provide nourishment and shelter for animals - even in the winter. Finally, she writes about evergreens, the traditional winter trees. Illustrations created from block prints, watercolor, and collage (though that does nothing to convey how truly lovely they are) depict a boy and his dog walking through the woods observing the trees. An excellent choice for a nature lover, and a must for any science classroom. Ages 5-8.