PreSchool-Grade 2–The life cycle of a tree is introduced through deceptively simple text and art. DePalma's short, measured phrases turn facts about a tree's growth, her seasonal changes, and the home she provides to a variety of creatures into an ode to an often-overlooked part of the natural world. The fact that the tree is given a female persona makes her seem that much more alive than if she were an it. Her roots sank deep into the earth, her arms reached high into the sky. The art superbly complements the writing. The use of white space to set off the child-inspired illustration style allows the words to stand out and makes the entire design clear and crisp.
Anyone interested in color, pattern, and design--even those who aren't quilters--will be fascinated by Kaleidoscopes & Quilts. Paula Nadelstern, who confesses to being "mesmerized by the irregular order that emerges in a haphazard pile of fabric," creates astonishing, luminous quilts inspired by the kaleidoscope. The 20-page gallery of quilts shows off her creations superbly: against glossy black pages, the jeweled colors, intricate patterns, and stained-glass brilliance of these quilts positively sparkle.