A TREE IS GROWING

A verdant testimony to the noble plants that shade our lawns and line our streets. Dorros (Isla, 1995, etc.) goes back to the basic botany of mostly temperate-zone trees, presenting leaves, roots, bark, flowers, and fruit in simple language. He also explains processes such as photosynthesis, the movement of xylem and phloem, and the tree's ``ring system'' of charting its own age. Using sidebars to his advantage, Dorros sets forth interesting details—e.g., how a baobab stores water—without interrupting the flow of the main text. The science isn't new, but Schindler's illustrations portray it so vigorously that readers will almost hear leaves rustling overhead. Textures abound, from scratchy-looking bark to the smooth round bottoms of acorns. Readers will be exploring woods, sidewalks, and yards- -anyplace there are trees—with new eyes. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-8)