The Secret Life of the Forest

It is always nice to have a knowledgeable guide when one begins to explore a new place. The guide for readers in this cute nature book is a little seed. How appropriate, since most plant life in the forest springs from seeds. Little Seed begins with the life cycle of a tree and a good discussion of pollination. Young readers will be surprised at the variety of pollinators and methods. Many may not think of fungi as part of a forest, but they are an important member of the ecosystem, and that is nicely explained. Animals and insects also play important roles in the health of the forest. Little Seed is a great guide through this very complex ecosystem. Each of the 19 sections is filled with several text blocks as well as many supporting illustrations and good questions to inspire readers to do more research. The illustrations are fun, but realistic enough and filled with good details to impart excellent information. The writing is conversational and accessible for young readers while imparting a great deal of good scientific facts. Youngsters will read this one over and over to glean all the great information. It is a winner.