Deep Roots: How Trees Sustain Our Planet

In this addition to the ecologically focused Orca Footprints series, Tate (Take Shelter) explores the importance of trees, describing them as “barometers of how we are looking after our planet.” Over four chapters—organized by the four classical elements of earth, air, fire, and water—Tate touches on the many ways trees are entwined with human development (logging, wood as a fuel source) and the environment at large, including their roles as “carbon sinks,” absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. Color photographs, activity suggestions, trivia bursts, sidebars, and Tate’s own arboreal anecdotes create an accessible and involving layout, while supplying a broad take on the global diversity and varying roles of trees. While not an in-depth resource, it’s a useful overview that offers many entry points for deeper research, concluding with a list of suggested books and websites. Ages 8–up. (Feb.)