Strikingly illustrated, this tale of deforestation exudes a magical quality when read aloud, even to little ones who might not understand the story's full implications.
Hannah Beckerman
The Huffington Post
This textured hardcover picture book with vegetation on the front cover has been created by new picture book author and illustrator Marc Martin. The graphics are stunning and are supplemented by simple but appropriate text. The story is told of how a forest grew into woodland and was eventually destroyed by the actions of humans. Watercolours and pen and ink are married to great effect with the colours mingling and darkening. The plants, human figures, machines and then buildings all start small and become more significant as the trees are all cut down to make way for roads, factories and dwellings. Opportunities are plentiful for discussion about the reasons why trees are important in the environment. The issue of poor air quality is raised as there are no trees to clean it. As the storm brews and the rain starts to fall, inevitably the built-up area is washed away. After the storm just one tree remains. This tree becomes the foundation for the new forest. The book would be useful for looking at sustainability, how man affects nature and climate change in its simplest form and could be used as an introduction to plant growth and linked in with growing seedlings inside the classroom and monitoring its growth.
Pat Chandler
Reading Zone