Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
"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, pointer review
Synopsis
Deer live in the woods, rabbits live in meadows, fish live in creeks, and people live in houses. We all need homes. But we need not destroy one while building another.
This eloquent book shows young readers how people and animals can live side by side. Starting, of course, in our own backyards!
Synopsis
"Fleming celebrates wildlife in this beautifully illustrated picture book.... Included are lists of plants that provide shelter and food and books that provide further information." --
BooklistAbout the Author
Denise Fleming was awarded a Caldecott Honor for
In the Small, Small Pound. She also wrote and illustrated
In the Tall, Tall Grass,
Lunch,
Count!, and
Barnyard Banter.
Where Once There Was a Wood was inspired by the woods, meadows, and creek near her home in Toledo, Ohio.
"I spent a great deal of time in the area watching wild creatures go about their lives," she says. "And it was there that I collected plant material for the borders of this book. Unfortunately, the area is now a housing development."
Fleming wants to enusre that the former woodland is not forgotten. "I hope this book will inspire others to preserve--and create--their own wildlife habitats."