Kelsey Oseid

I anticipated a book that would be useful in identifying types of trees, but Trees turned out to be a basic but comprehensive introduction to trees. The introduction covers general topics about trees. Part one includes chapters with information about each of the parts of a tree (e.g., leaves, roots, and cones). Additional sections cover ancient trees (e.g., first trees, amber) and tree curiosities (e.g., crown shyness, tallest trees, oldest trees). Pictures, drawing, and details about close to 50 trees are provided in sections on tropical, temperate, and boreal trees).

The text is written at a level that should be manageable for middle-school readers, but older readers like myself will also benefit from the comprehensive overview. The book can be skimmed in an afternoon, but readers will want to use it more as a reference to obtain the full benefit.

I’m no expert on tree-related books, but I found this an excellent overview.… (mehr)

What We See in the Stars took me by surprise. Because I had not seen this book in person before its arrival on my doorstep, I really didn’t know what to expect. Let me tell you this… What We See in the Stars is a gorgeous book. The cover is richly illustrated with beautifully drawn constellations and specs of shimmery stars. It is heavy, it has a lot of content, and as I flipped through the pages, I knew I was in for a treat!

Go ahead… judge this book by its cover.

Admittedly, I am not a space buff but my husband is. But I could be! What We See in the Stars is the perfect introduction to so many elements of space and is written in such a way that genuinely piqued my interest. I could really get into this! And while there is a lot of content in these pages, it doesn’t get dry or boring. Meaning – there isn’t so much detail that it reads like some type of advanced Science book. What We See in the Stars is art and intro with a bang!

You’ll get a lot more out of What We See in the Stars than just the basics. Divided up into beautifully illustrated segments, the reader is taken on a journey through: the Constellations, the Milky Way, the Moon, the Sun, the Planets, Asteroids, Comets & Meteors, and Deep Space. And within each of these segments (chapters), Kelsey Oseid takes the reader down finer, more detailed paths – explaining and illustrating just how majestic our night’s sky truly is.

What We See in the Stars is the perfect gift for anyone who may have an interest in space or even just art. Young people, older people – this book is really for anyone. I even plan to share this one with my kiddo!

Thank you to Blogging for Books and Ten Speed Press for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for my honest feedback.… (mehr)