“Starting Life Tree”
by Claire Llewellyn, illustrated by Simon Mendez
Andromeda Children’s Books, London, 2004, 25 pages, Grades 2-3.
All of nature develops through a cycle of life. In the beginning, plants are very small and fragile. At this time, many insects and animals can destroy the tiny seedlings. But within a year, the floras begin to grow and become stronger. This same cycle occurs in the development of trees. As the seeds push through the ground, shoots can be seen which then grow into saplings. With apple trees this happy process results in the development of delicious fruit and fragrant buds. Claire Llewellyn has written a fine account of this process in a book entitled “Starting Life Tree.”
The seed lies under the soil and begins to burst upward in the spring. The roots sink deep into the rich soil to gather nutrients for the tiny green shoot. Two leaves push towards the sunlight and begin to quickly grow during the first year. The small apple tree can grow three feet tall this first year. It is now a sapling and begins to get a thicker, stronger bark to protect it from the elements. Each year it grows taller and taller until after six years, it is about 20 feet tall. Now the buds on the apple tree begins producing fruit. This causes all kinds of animals and insects to cluster around the tree. Rabbits burrow into the ground near the apple tree, birds build their houses in the branches and insects flock about the tree.
Another year passes and the tree puts out sweet smelling blossoms that perfume the air for about two to three weeks. During this time countless bees drink the sweet nectar of the blossoms. They carry the pollen from the buds on their legs to other buds nearby helping the tree germinate. The tree is now full of ripening apples and attracts caterpillars, butterflies, grubs and wasps. This makes for a veritable smorgasbord for nesting birds as food for their hatchlings is readily available. The birds begin eating the insects on the tree while other bugs eat the aphids that suck the sap from the tree’s leaves. All of this is part of the biological cycle and becomes known as a food chain.
As the summer lengthens into August, many changes occur in the tree’s apples. The color of the fruit changes from green into red, yellow or gold. The skin of the apples swells due to the growth in the fruit. At last, it is time to harvest the beautiful apples. What happens during the harvest to the apples, the tree and to the insects and nearby animals?
Do people eat all the apples? How many fall on the ground and are eaten by deer, foxes and birds? Do you have a favorite kind of apple? I like the apple known as “Red Delicious.” What kind of delightful foods come from apples? And finally, what happens to the apple tree during the winter. To find out the answers to these questions, go to the library and checkout this well written and illustrated book, “Starting Life Tree” by Claire Llewellyn.
This fine book has an interesting layout. There are tabs for each part of the growing season, which draws readers into the text. It is a clever use of the text and illustrations. The pictures are very inviting and students will learn many important facts about the life cycle of an apple tree. Llewellyn closes the book with a comprehensive glossary and index. This is a fine book for science classes in the lower elementary grades. It would also be enjoyable to read with younger children in your family. I hope you get a chance to check out this pleasant title. Enjoy!
