This book can't decide what it wants to be, and so it doesn't do either thing well. It seems like this book was written by someone who wanted to write a book of lyrical verse about trees for children, but was persuaded by an editor/publisher to turn it into a nonfiction book. I also found the structure, lyrical quality, and design of Oakheart's narration similar to poetry, but when you read it closely, it's not quite poetry. Perhaps Oakheart's speaking parts could have been in quotation marks so it was clear he was a character in the book. But there's little visual distinction (other than the myths using an italicized font) between fact and fiction. This book blends the two by having the fictional Oakheart teach children about trees through poetry, myths and fairy tales, factoids, charts, and illustrations. With children's books, it's important clarify fiction vs. Unfortunately though, the text of this book doesn't accomplish what it sets out to do. You really get a sense of the magic of trees, and there's a distinct fairy-tale quality to the overall book. The illustrations in this book are gorgeous. There are two things that make a picture book successful-great illustrations, and clear text.
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