Andrea Zimmerman

Cute, but not quite as cohesive as Firefighter Flo. The use of the deus ex machina of the seagulls felt like it diminished Jane's capability.

If I Were a Tree is a gentle, lyrical book that invites young readers to imagine life from a tree’s point of view. With simple, poetic language and warm illustrations, it encourages kids to notice the natural world and think about the life of trees in a new way. It’s a perfect for a quiet read-aloud that is sure to help spark curiosity and appreciation for the outdoors.

Bouncy, exciting text punctuated by many onomatopoeic sound-words. The bold graphic illustrations match the action. The firefighting team is diverse and Flo is a great hero, wielding an axe and directing the team.

I really liked the way the manatee baby talks kid-to-kid about their mamas. Some subtle humor for the parents, too. And a nice introduction at the end to the issue of endangered species and threats to wildlife.