Rise to the Sky

How the World's Tallest Trees Grow Up

  • Interest Level: Kindergarten - Grade 4
  • Reading Level: Grade 2

What is the tallest living thing? It’s not an elephant, or a giraffe, or even a blue whale. It’s a tree!

Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the Sky. Accompanied by Mia Posada’s detailed collage illustrations, this book features the tallest tree species from around the world, including the coast redwood, the Sitka spruce, and the giant sequoia.

Format Your Price Add
978-1-7284-4087-3
$15.74
978-1-7284-8567-6
$25.99
Available at all major wholesalers and distributors. Save 25% when you buy direct!
Interest Level Kindergarten - Grade 4
Reading Level Grade 2
Genre Picture Books, Science
Category 5 Kinds of Nonfiction, 5KN: Expository Literature
Copyright 2023
Publisher Lerner Publishing Group
Imprint Millbrook Press ™
Language English
Number of Pages 32
Publication Date 2023-04-04
Text Type Informational/Explanatory
BISACS JNF037040, JNF037030, JNF042000
Dewey 582.16
Dimensions 9.25 x 11
Guided Reading Level N
Features Author/Illustrator biography, Awards, Bibliography/further reading, Original artwork, Reviewed, Starred Reviews, Teaching Guides, and eSource

Author: Rebecca E. Hirsch

Rebecca E. Hirsch is an award- winning children's author with a PhD in plant biology. Her picture books include Plants Can't Sit Still and Night Creatures: Animals That Swoop, Crawl, and Creep while You Sleep. She lives with her husband and three children in State College, Pennsylvania. You can visit her online at rebeccahirsch.com.

Illustrator: Mia Posada

Mia Posada grew up in Minneapolis, then studied art at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She also studied art in Florence, Italy, and illustration at Academy of Art College in San Francisco, California. Mia has written and illustrated numerous books including: The Long, Long Journey: The Godwit's Amazing Migration, Who Was Here?: Discovering Wild Animal Tracks, and Summer Green to Autumn Gold: Uncovering Leaves' Hidden Colors. She illustrated Plants Can't Sit Still which was named a Kirkus Best Children's Books and won the NCTE Notable Children's Book in the Language Arts Award. She lives in Golden Valley, Minnesota with her husband and their three kids.

Lerner eSource™ offers free digital teaching and learning resources, including Common Core State Standards (CCSS) teaching guides. These guides, created by classroom teachers, offer short lessons and writing exercises that give students specific instruction and practice using Common Core skills and strategies. Lerner eSource also provides additional resources including online activities, downloadable/printable graphic organizers, and additional educational materials that would also support Common Core instruction. Download, share, pin, print, and save as many of these free resources as you like!

Rise to the Sky

What is the tallest living thing? It’s not an elephant, or a giraffe, or even a blue whale. It’s a tree! Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction… View available downloads →

Summer Constellations: 2023 Stars So Far

By Megan Ciskowski, Associate Publicist It’s time to look up and celebrate the stars! Keep reading to discover which 2023 titles have earned review recognition for excellence and quality from the first six months of the year. Picture Books The Babka Sisters Grade Level: PreK – 2Age… View →

Rise to the Sky: An Interview with Author Rebecca E. Hirsch and Illustrator Mia Posada

Trees are the tallest living things on Earth. But how do they grow to be so tall? Science writer Rebecca E. Hirsch presents a poetic introduction to the tree life cycle in Rise to the Sky: How the World’s Tallest Trees Grow Up. Accompanied by Mia Posada’s detailed collage illustrations,… View →

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY: NEW PICTURE BOOKS, GRAPHIC NOVELS, MIDDLE GRADE, AND NONFICTION

Check out April new releases from Lerner Publishing Group! Picture Books Poop for Breakfast: Why Some Animals Eat It by Sara Levine and illus. by Florence Weiser Eating poop is gross! So why do some animals do it? For lots of good reasons! Male butterflies slurp up poop to give as a gift View →

Awards

  • Dogwood Readers Award Finalist, Short-listed, 2024
  • Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC) Choices, Winner, 2024
  • Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best Books, Winner, 2023

Reviews

School Library Journal

“This charming story is a love letter to the tenacity of trees to grow for hundreds or even thousands of years and become the highest they can be.” —starred, School Library Journal

Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD)

“The informative, engaging, and enjoyable pages of this book make it a perfect addition to any library. Reviewer Rating: 5” —Children’s Literature

Booklist

“Varied composition and realistic textures heighten the appeal of Posada’s attractive illustrations. Created with cut-paper collage and watercolor, they capture the trees’ soaring height and dignity . . . Written with clarity and illustrated to help viewers understand the ideas discussed, this handsome book offers an appealing, informative introduction to trees.”—starred, Booklist

Publishers Weekly

“Hirsch teaches basic plant biology through the example of the world’s “tallest living thing”—trees—in this awe-inspiring text. . . . Washed in earthy browns and vivid emerald greens, Posada’s expertly rendered cut paper collage provide texture that feels touchable.”–starred, Publishers Weekly

Kirkus Reviews

“A well-focused, beautiful, and informative introduction to the arboreal world.”—starred, Kirkus Reviews