I'm always impressed with the scope of picture books that Sleeping Bear Press publishes. Today's book is no exception. SAGUARO's GIFTS should adorn elementary school classrooms and family bookshelves with its evocative yet child-friendly poetry by Kurt Cyrus and gorgeous illustrations by Andy Atkins.The world is dark. The bloom is white.A bat emerges from the night."Hello, Saguaro!"Every year I find the sweetest nectar here.And happy birthday, by the way.One hundred years, this very day!Throughout the book, desert animals, birds, and insects pay homage to the cactus on its' 100th birthday. Play a game with young readers and ask them to find the hummingbird, woodpecker, owl, butterflies, a coyote, and a tortoise.All the animals pause when they hear,A bobcat races up the trailwith javelina on his tail."Clear the way!" the bobcat screeches,scrambling to the highest reaches.The tortoise ends the day:Another day is done old friend.One hundred years have come and gone.but you and I go on and on.The book ends with a spread showing a meteor lighting up the night sky and the words,Another gift exchange tomorrow--Happy birthday, dear Saguaro.