K-Gr 2
In these beginning readers, a fictional story is told across the top of the page and colored text boxes with facts are placed near the bottom. In Autumn , Owen and Emma discover the effects of weather on a tree in their neighborhood park. Old Oak, who is able to communicate with the children, appears as an animate object with pleasant facial features on her trunk and two armlike branches at her sides. A solitary leaf is afraid to let go until the friends come up with a creative solution. In the spring and summer stories, the children interact with Old Oak's resident, Rachel the robin. Winter takes Emma and Owen to the park with extra scarves, mittens, and hats for Old Oak, who appreciates their kindness but explains that cold does not bother her. All four books end with a list of activities, a simple glossary, and a Web connection to Facthound. The colorful and cheery illustrations and simply written texts will appeal to students who are testing their independence as readers.-Maura Bresnahan, High Plain Elementary School, Andover, MA
