CHILDREN'S BOOKS If a Tree Falls


Forests help make our lives bet- ter in many ways. From buildings and furniture to heating and paper products, wood alone is a crucial part of our lives. Forests also col- lectively play the role of carbon sink and are integral to the water cycle. Any forest, whether tropi- cal, temperate, or boreal, is home to many animal and plant species.


How a forest is harvested has huge impacts on our lives and environment. Four chapters full of sidebars, photog- raphy, and narrative by Nikki Tate introduce elementary and middle school readers to how forests are special and valuable ecosystems, while including stories about what people around the world are doing to protect them for generations to come. Subtitled The Global Impact of Deforestation. – (AS)


Orca Book Publishers, 2020; ISBN-978-1-4598-2355-6 (hb); 49 pp; CAN $19.95 from www.orcabook.com


The Case of the Wooden Timekeeper


Another Nature Mystery to be solved by our favourite detec- tives, Scout and Daisy! The Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery series brings excitement and awakens the curiosity of chil- dren who are eager to be part of the mysteries of nature. In this edition, Daisy discovers a “wooden timekeeper” that she


is excited to show Scout, and the two decide to go on an adventure to learn more about this fascinating discovery. Their journey leads us to clues that teach us more about nature. The story unfolds along with captivating imag- ery full of color and wonderful textures like the care- fully knitted clothing the characters wear. This is a great resource to feed the curiosity of nature-loving kids aged 4–7. Don’t forget to check out the final pages to create your own pinecone friend in three simple steps! Teach- ers may use this resource as an opportunity to divide their lessons in two parts: the theoretical through read- ing the story in the classroom and the hands-on through heading out into nature to collect pinecones for the craft! – (SVN)


Firefly Books, 2019; ISBN 9780228101963 (pb); 32 pp; CAN $6.99 from Firefly Books, (800) 387-6192, www.fireflybooks.com


Chemical World


Everything on our planet is made of chemicals. From the food we eat and the water we drink to the containers that hold them, we interact with chemicals every day. Author and scientist Rowena Rae decided to learn about envi- ronmental chemistry and chemicals in her everyday life and she shares her discoveries, including the good, bad, and


unknown in this book, subtitled Science in our Daily Lives. A history of chemicals, natural chemicals, syn- thetic chemicals, drugs, plumbing, and pollutants and their respective impacts on humans, wildlife, and the environment are addressed across four chapters of nar- rative, photography, illustrations, and sidebars. Success stories from around the world on reducing the usage of toxic chemicals are highlighted, as are the personal efforts we can make to reduce the negative impacts of certain chemicals. – (AS)


Orca Book Publishers, 2020; ISBN-978-1-4598-2157-6 (hb); 49 pp; CAN $19.95 from www.orcabook.com


The Case of the Vanishing Caterpillar


While Scout is gardening, he notices that something has mysteriously disap- peared… The Case of the Van- ishing Caterpillar storybook leads us to uncover clues about the whereabouts of Scout’s friend and her unexpected new appearance! Follow the story that will reveal that nature is in


constant change and nothing stays the same. Understand the caterpillar’s cycle of life with beautiful and easy- to-follow graphics. The attention to the small details of the three-dimensional characters in the Gumboot Kids Nature Mystery series makes the stories enchanting as well as fascinating to look at. In the latter pages, read- ers are encouraged to step out into nature to find mate- rials to create their own crafts. This would be a great opportunity for teachers to extend their teaching beyond their classrooms. Kids ages 4–7 will enjoy following the exciting nature mysteries of Scout and Daisy! – (SVN)


Firefly Books, 2019; ISBN 9780228101949 (pb); 32 pp; CAN $6.99 from Firefly Books, (800) 387-6192, www.fireflybooks.com


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