Where Once There Was a Wood

by Denise Fleming, Denise Fleming (Illustrator)

Overview

A powerful poem and stunning, handmade-paper art encourage children to protect nature.

"Where once there was a wood,

A meadow and a creek . . . "

Inspired by events in her own backyard, award-winning author and illustrator Denise Fleming creates a poignant yet hopeful portrait of our disappearing natural environment. The last pages of the book teach children how to make a more "creature friendly" backyard, including information about what types of food, trees and flowers attract different kinds of animals. Where Once There Was a Wood also includes an informative bibliography for budding environmentalists, and suggests various projects that families can do together.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780805064827
Publisher:	Square Fish
Publication date:	04/01/2000
Series:	Owlet Book
Edition description:	First Edition
Pages:	40
Product dimensions:	10.00(w) x 10.05(h) x 0.40(d)
Age Range:	4 - 8 Years

About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen picture books, including Buster. She lives in Toledo, Ohio.

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of more than a dozen picture books, including Buster. She lives in Toledo, Ohio.

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"Fleming's unique illustrative style provides an exciting backdrop to this distinctive, environmental picture book."—School Library Journal

"Contains some of Fleming's most accomplished work ever. A beautiful call to arms."—Publisher's Weekly

"A book that's as welcome as spring."—Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Fleming's unique illustrative style provides an exciting backdrop to this distinctive, environmental picture book.” —School Library Journal

“Contains some of Fleming's most accomplished work ever. A beautiful call to arms.” —Publisher's Weekly

“A book that's as welcome as spring.” —Kirkus Reviews

From the Publisher

Already a favorite of preschoolers, Fleming (In the Small, Small Pond, 1993, etc.) takes an appreciation of the natural world a giant step further. Rhythmic verse—"Where once there was a wood/a meadow/and a creek . . . sit houses side by side/twenty houses deep"—demonstrates that there was another sort of community before people arrived, "where once the brown snake/slithered and slipped out of sight." An ecology lesson it surely is, but it's also a celebration of the earth and its creatures. Illustrations in vivid jewel-and-earth tones appear on handmade paper; the woods, creeks, and meadows are clean and inviting, and, bringing balance to the presentation, the new houses are not without their charms. The lively back matter, titled "Welcome Wildlife to Your Backyard Habitat," offers substantial, easily executed suggestions for encouraging wildlife around the home; it's information just right for family and classroom sharing. Perfect for Earth Day observances, a book that's as welcome as spring.

Kirkus Reviews