Forest (See to Learn)

The first in a projected series by sustainability learning expert Gamblin poses a cavalcade of questions to guide young readers in observing a woodland environment—queries draw attention to tracks and residents, trees and seasons. Details from these questions (“the moss-covered stump of this ancient tree”) are faithfully reflected in Patkau’s accompanying artwork; the slick illustrations’ digital quality, however, jars somewhat against the text’s more emotional natural evocations. While some readers may find that the specificity of the questions (“Do you see the pine needles, chestnut, oak and maple leaves all mixed together?”) help teach them how “to engage with our delightful Earth,” others may discover that the queries offer too little wiggle room for creative observations to emerge. Still, the open question that closes the book—“What do you see when you see a forest?”—offers an excellent segue to get readers thinking. Ages 4–7. [em](Mar.) [/em]