Some Questions About Trees

K-Gr 2–The title and cover tells readers almost everything they can expect of this book and the questions it considers. Yuly invites readers in simple but not simplistic ways to think about trees, nature, and themselves. “Where do trees live? On the earth…or in the sky? Are some trees shy? Who do fruit trees make fruit for?” The 14 questions are asked by a child and drawn in the style of Ed Emberley’s “Thumbprint” characters. The child’s blue-green sweater acts as the thumbprint which really pops in the pictures. The wonderful illustrations seamlessly use a variety of media including pastels, torn tissue paper, cut paper, pen-and-ink and digital collage. They reflect the questions and are well-suited to them. White space abounds and color is skillfully used to draw attention within the images.