Treetures: The Search for Autumn

Judith Hope Blau and Ellie O’Ryan
Illustrated by Paul E. Nunn

Treetures are creatures of an enchanted forest called Nutley Grove. These creatures, described in the beginning of the book, all work together to prepare the forest for the coming season changes from summer to autumn, and then to winter. In this story, the Treetures are known as Mudsters, and they live in a big oak tree performing each of their duties as they prepare for the coming Winter Feast. The Young Sproutlings, Chip, Petals and Pod, are the first to notice the change in the leaves around the Great Oak and their questions can only be answered by the Sunbeam Team, Chlorophyll and Chlorophyllis. The Sunbeam Team are on their way to a sunnier vacation spot, and taking the color from the leaves with them. Spring, a Treedom Fighter encouraged the Sproutlings to find Autumn, the Leaf Turner. Wanting to help with the responsibilities, the young Sproutlings made their way to Mama Greenleaf who was busy making a blanket of fallen leaves to cover the forest floor. As the Sproutlings proceeded, they found Rootie and Roothie, the Rooters, who were preparing the roots for the coming temperature changes by covering the roots with leaves and twigs. Stomper, the Compost Master, was busy making mulch to feed the trees in the spring. As the Sproutlings continued their journey, they met with the Sap Tappers, Woody and Phloemina, hard at work protecting the vessels within the Great Oak. The Sap Tappers explained to the Sproutlings the vessels in the tree provided the food and water in the spring. When Autumn the Leaf Turner arrived, a fun time was had by all at a Fall Fair. Rides such as a Leaf-Go-Round, Canopy Coaster, Bark Climbing, Root Scooter, and a March Mulch.

The easy science of the Treeture’s helps early readers understand the changing of the leaves from green to other colors and why the leaves fall. At the end of the book, a non-inclusive series of facts are provided to explain what trees provide. Additionally, a link to americanforests.org is provided, the book is printed on recycled paper, and by purchasing this book it suggests a tree is planted. The illustrations are colorful and endearing to children.

My only concern is while the easy science is explained in terms using inaccurate facts, once a child begins a science class on photosynthesis there might be some confusion between the science facts explained by the characters from the book and the textbook facts.

BIBLIO: 2008, Penguin Young Readers, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: Picture Book
ISBN: 978-0-448-45057-5
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 7/11/09

Mia, Matt and the Turkey Chase

Annie Langlois
Illustrated by Jimmy Beaulieu

Matt and Mia live a double life with their Uncle Orlando, who is an animal trainer. During the school year the family lives in the city, and during the summer months, they live in a cottage on the shores of Blackfly Lake. This particular summer, Uncle Orlando is training poultry: ducks, a rooster, hens and their chicks, and one huge turkey!

“Flooooblooobloobloo, flooooblooobloobloo!” Alfred greets Matt and Mia. Matt thinks Alfred is a mutant.

Uncle Orlando says the turkey, Alfred, is going to star in a science-fiction film, and Matt and Mia’s job is to keep the chicken coop clean. Before too long, Alfred disappears and strange things start to happen. While looking for Alfred Matt and Mia meet a neighbor named, Maria. Uncle Orlando and Maria become friends and Matt and Mia think they start to see signs of Alfred around Maria’s house.

Flowers from Maria’s garden are picked, left on her porch, and no one seems to know how, the chickens in Uncle Orlando’s coop start acting very funny, Uncle Orlando’s pedal boat disappears, Alfred is seen wearing Uncle Orlando’s blue checkered shirt, and soon Alfred is seen escaping to the nearby island in the pedal boat.

This story is one big adventure, and it is all about love. How Alfred the turkey, Uncle Orlando the animal trainer, Matt and Mia, and Maria, work out the details of unrequited love. Written as a first novel, this publication meets the reading level of a first chapter book. It is an entertaining story and the black ink sketches are comical and supportive to the story.

BIBLIO: 2004, Formac Publishing Company Limited, Ages 5 to 7, $5.95
REVIEWER: Debby Willett
FORMAT: First Novels
ISBN: 978-0-88780-763-3
REVIEWED FOR: Children’s Literature, Online Version, 5/09