Are Trees Alive? by Debbie S. Miller

by Debbie S. Miller

“Are trees alive? How do they breathe? They don't have noses.” And so begins a conversation between the author and her daughter that leads to a remarkable Trees are like children in so many ways! They may look very different from people, but trees have roots that hold them to the ground like feet and leaves that blow in the wind like hair. Their bark even comes in different colors, just like our skin. From this poetic comparison of plants and humans, readers will learn how trees live and grow, and how they get their food. They will learn about the baobab trees of Africa, the banyan trees of India, and the bristlecone pines of California. They will see, through Stacey Schuett's exquisite art, that trees come in all shapes and sizes—just like people—and provide a home to many different animals. But most of all, they will look at trees with greater respect and a bit of awe, after realizing that trees are alive too.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Science, Childrens, Nonfiction

Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Debbie S Miller has lived in Alaska for 40 years, and has developed a passion for writing nature books about the extraordinary wilderness and wildlife that surround our home near Fairbanks. When she looks out my office window, she may see a moose walking by, chickadees or gray jays at the bird feeder, or a fox on the prowl.

During the early years, Debbie taught school in Arctic Village, a small village in the Brooks Range. She learned about the fascinating culture of the Athabaskan Indians, the natural history of the region, and the wonders of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, or ANWR. For many years Debbie's family explored this incredible place, studied the great caribou herds, and observed wolves, grizzly and polar bears, migratory birds, and other Alaska animals. Their many outdoor adventures and encounters with wildlife inspired her to write nature books for children and adults.

Debbie works closely with Jon Van Zyle, an outstanding Alaska wildlife artist who has illustrated ten of her children's picture books. Jon has lived in Alaska for 40 years and he has a deep love for the wilderness and wildlife of our state. He turns simple words into captivating paintings that authentically reflect the beauty of Alaska's environment.

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 3 out of 5]

So yes, many of us adults would more than likely consider the question of whether trees are alive as a bit silly in and of itself and end up with the rather predictable and obvious answer that of course they are. But well and in my humble opinion, if we are indeed going to be totally honest here, the actual question of whether trees are alive is more than likely a query which many of us probably asked or at least had wanted to ask as children and that our rather assured answer nowadays that trees are living entities is also probably something we just consider as a matter of fact, but that in reality we simply seem to just accept that trees are forms of life but that we also do not really for the most part consider and understand the specific, the precise reasons as to why trees are alive (and how they for example compare to us, compare to human beings).

And with her 2003 non fiction picture book Are Trees Alive? author Debbie S. Miller not only shows that trees are indeed (and like all plants) alive, but Miller then ingeniously and delightfully textually uses the many similarities that can be found between trees and us, between trees and human beings to clearly demonstrate this both verbally and also with Stacy Schuett's accompanying illustrations (which are bright, cheery and do a wonderful job mirroring and sometimes also expanding on Debbie S. Miller's printed words for Are Trees Alive?, clearly showing and demonstrating that trees and humans are like all living beings totally linked and that they have very many rather obvious similarities worthy of consideration (that the roots of trees act like our human feet do, that the trunks of trees are very much like human legs, that tree bark is akin to our skin and tree sap to human blood).

Highly recommended is Are Trees Alive?, but as much I have appreciated (as well as enjoyed) both Debbie S. Miller's text and Stacy Schuett's artwork, I really do not at all understand why with all the interesting factual information about trees and ecology that is present in Are Trees Alive? Debbie S. Miller has not included a bibliography.

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My children and I really enjoyed this and I'm glad I took the time to request it from ILL as it was well worth the effort. I love the variety of trees shown, across different countries and climates (every continent is represented except, of course, Antarctica) and the diversity in the people and animals that surround the trees, also. The story proper is simple enough for pre-K and back matter provides a more in-depth look at each tree depicted and interested even my nine-year-old. The title annoys me a bit -- of course trees are alive! But the author explains in her introduction that her four-year-old wondered about this because trees don't have noses, so how can they breathe? Take in this child's eye view, the story shows us all the ways that trees are similar to humans and I think this helps makes them relatable to children (for example, roots are like our feet, anchoring to the earth -- sap runs through a tree's tubes like blood runs through our veins). I've always felt a very strong connection to trees but I imagine this would help some children who perhaps don't think of trees as being vibrantly alive to feel a bit more appreciation for them. Docking a point because there is no list of sources. But, still highly recommend!

[Mary Ledom · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so amazing to me. Learning about trees in a fun and exciting method is the best way to go about learning the outdoors and what is around us outside. I will definitely remember the name of this book and read it to my class if I am in the younger grades. The illustrations were incredible to look at because they filled the entire page with bright creative pictures of trees and wildlife. I would easily suggest this book to any teacher that is teaching a lesson on trees or the outdoors or anything of that sort.
The facts that are displayed in this book will interest the students’ minds easily. Not only are the facts interesting but also I enjoyed how the facts were relatable to young learners. For instance, ‘A trunk supports the body of a tree, like your legs support your body.’ With that fact, it is extremely easy for students to stick facts in their minds because they can relate it to themselves. Along with relating it to them, it also introduces them to figurative language like metaphors and similes. The children will love this book just as much as the teacher enjoys reading it to their class!

[Shyana Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Type of book: nonfiction with fictional characters
Awards: Society of School Librarians International Book award
Summary: The book starts out with the narrator talking to her daughter. The daughter asks if trees are alive. The narrator says yes and explains why. Through out the book it talks about how no trees do not have noses or toes but they do have roots, trunks, bark, etc. It goes into detail about what each element of a tree does and how it makes a tree alive. It says that trees get minerals from the soils, it explains what roots are for, it talks about the color of bark. It also compares these elements to human like qualities that make us alive.
Critique: I personally like this book. It has nonfictional qualities but it tells a story. It also explains to kids why trees are considered alive and how it compares to us. So, in other words it helps children visualize each element of a tree. The colorful pictures help keep the reader engaged.
Craft element: I would do a compare and contrast chart with humans and trees. I will have the students pick qualities from the text to justify their reasoning.

[S.E. Ferranti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are Trees Alive?
Written by Debbie S. Miller
Illustrations by Stacey Schuett

Are Trees Alive? By Debbie S. Miller is a very inspiring children’s book. Not only does she tell you all about the importance of trees. She also tells you how trees and all other life including Humans are connected. She educates, opens your mind, and inspires you to pay close attention to nature. Truly a beautiful book on so many levels and it actually inspired me to plant a tree with my daughter this coming spring in our back yard. I look forward to that moment and thank you Debbie Miller for helping parents remember the importance of teaching our kids about how important nature is, how important it is for all of us to do our part in nurturing it, and how everything from plants, animals, mammals, insects, to humans are all connected in the circle of life. Two thumbs way up! Just a wonderfully inspirational book!

[Sally Deem · Rating 3 out of 5]

This story compares the life of a tree with humans and gets the reader thinking of trees and ways we can tell if they are alive. The author also includes the importance of trees to humans and the impact trees have on all life. It also tells of the life cycle of the tree and what happens to the tree throughout the seasons. At the end of the story, the author has included pictures of different kinds of trees and facts about the trees. There are also pictures of the different types of animals that depend on the trees.

[Gabi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked the different types of trees that were featured and how there were different people with each different type of tree. Excellent illustrations and comparisons of how trees live and grow like people.

[Madison County Public Library Youth Department · Rating 4 out of 5]

This picture book can help little ones learn and understand the different parts of trees by comparing them to different parts of the body. It is easy to incorporate movement when reading this book for a fun, interactive story time.
-Kennedy

[Edward Sojuwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book teaches kids that trees are in a lot of ways like us. Like us they get tough outside and tender inside. Like us they bleed when hurt. Like us, the wood gets hard when....OH NO! LET'S NOT EVEN GO THERE!
3 stars
Or is it TREE STARS!

[Mother Goose Librarian · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book looks at trees from around the world. Comparisons are made between humans and trees. Contains back matter. A must read for tree lovers. Recommended.

[Hyeonjeong Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal Reaction - I like this book very much because of the illustrations. They are very colorful and express facial expressions very well. When I read this book and see the illustrations, I felt warm and pleasant. Also, the mood changes depending on its seasons. Pages, which are on winter, have more dark colors than pages of summer time. Personally, I am highly affected by weather. Thus, while reading this book, according to pages' weather, my mood changed, as well. However, as this book has more pages with good weather, I could feel pleasant.

Purposes- I would recommend this book to first graders.
- Before beginning this book, the author explains what inspired her to write this book. It was her daughter. One day, her daughter, Casey, asked, "Are trees alive?" She answered yes, but Casey responded, "But how do they breathe; they don't have noses?". Like Casey's response, trees and humans seem that they don't share many common characteristics. However, they have many similar characteristics. Her this point of view would fit into first graders' views. Thus, first graders would be encouraged to read this book as well as get a knowledge of tress.
- Also, she recommends readers to plant trees and give special names on them. Children would love to get something special for them. Moreover, she puts a web site that would teach about plant trees. Teachers would use this website to give more information to children.
- As this book explains trees related to characteristics of human, it uses many metaphors. For example, "seeds sport and become saplings, then grow up to be trees. just like babies become children, then grow up to be adults." It would enhance children's language development.
- On the next page of its cover, there is a world map, showing which trees are typically grown in each country. Before beginning to read this book, it would encourage children's interests.
- At the end of this book, there are lists of some trees with their characteristics. Also, the animals, illustrated in the previous pages, are shown again.
- As a science information book, it explains very well how trees grow up and actually live as living things. First graders would begin to be interested in science and explore environments around them. From this book, children would learn the concept of living things and extend their knowledge with teachers' help.

[Morgan Patton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Inspired by a conversation with her daughter, Debbie Miller introduces trees in a new way; she compares them to humans. Readers learn how trees live and grow, and how they get their food. They will learn about the baobab trees of Africa, the banyan trees of India, and the bristlecone pines of California. The illustrator also gives a realistic approach to every page...drawing the many shapes, sizes and colors of trees.
I think this would be a great read aloud when introducing plants to children.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book sweetly compares a tree's design to the design of the human body. Children (4 and up) are introduced to ecology, conservation and, hopefully, a love for trees.

[Marina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for a lesson on trees

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic, and informative.

[Emily Kimball · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful. :)

[wildct2003 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good diversity of trees and people in the book. Has more tree facts and uses in back of the book.

[Nancy (Colorado) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute. Used it for a writing lesson on style and beginnings.

[Emilie · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting book comparing parts of a tree to kids' bodies and behavior. The metaphor is a bit stretched at times, but it works as a delivery tool for information. There are lots of diverse people pictured in the books as the trees span many different parts of the world.

I'd argue that the introduction and "plant a tree" sections at the beginning of the book should be read to children before reading the rest of the book - it gives good groundwork, and some ideas for related activity (tree planting).

I've marked this book under my "living and nonliving" shelf, but it really only describes the ways in which trees live, not addressing anything nonliving.