Book: Secrets of the Apple Tree: A Shine-A-Light Book
Authors: Carron Brown & Alyssa Nassner
Pages: 36
Age Range: 4-8
I think that the gimmick of shining a light to see through the page will please preschoolers. My daughter was charmed by this, certainly, though she got a bit bored as the facts continued to mount from page to page. The text is designed for interactive reading with kids. Like this:
"Many animals live
around the tree.
Can you see who
the bird is about
to grab?"
(on the next page)
"Slithering, wriggling worms push
through the soil around the roots.
A tree's roots grow long and deep.
The roots soak up water from rain,
which helps to keep the tree alive."
Every page has a question for kids to answer by shining a light on the page. At the end there's a little glossary of sorts, with more information about the creatures found in and around the tree. The authors encourage further exploration with:
"There's more...
When you find a tree, look all around it and see who you can find.
Remember to look up as well as down."
The see-through illustrations (on the right-hand side of each page spread) are in color, using a palette of woodsy greens, browns, and grays. The left-facing pages are silhouettes, white images against black backgrounds. While neither style is incredibly detailed, the overall impression is pleasing, and the whimsy of the see-through illustrations works well.
Secrets of the Apple Tree does a nice job of encouraging kids to pay attention to nature, to look closely, and see what hidden life they can find. And it's fun, too. I think it would make a nice addition to a classroom library for first or second graders, particularly in apple tree country. Recommended!
Publisher: Kane Miller Book Publishers
Publication Date: January 1, 2014 (first American edition)
Source of Book: Review copy from the publisher
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