A Forest Begins Anew by Louise M. Aamodt

Anyone else seeing the first breakings of Spring? I have hyacinthus, daffodils, blue bells, and other small flowers already blooming across the farm. With the freezing coming in the next two days, I'm not sure how long they'll still shine, but Spring is poking out its head and saying 'hello'. Even my cows are finding more and more grass to nibble on.

Today's read fits right into the theme of new life. However, it doesn't concentrate on Spring. Rather, it looks at what happens after a forest fire burns everything to the ground. I'm curious to see how this book handles the theme and hope it has the same hopeful atmosphere the cover radiates.

So, let's open it up and take a look!

A FOREST BEGINS ANEW

by Louise M. Aamodt

Illustrated by Elly MacKay

Astra Young Readers

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

COMING MAY 12th!!!

Told through lyrical rhyme and stunning 3D cut-paper illustrations, this is the captivating story of a forest’s renewal as it goes from ashes to new growth in the aftermath of a sweeping forest fire.

Set against the backdrop of a devastating forest fire, A Forest Begins Anew unfolds the life cycle of a particularly resilient ecosystem. As smoke jumpers leap from planes and pinecones eventually unseal from the heat of the fire, the story poetically weaves the effects of a forest fire into a vibrant tapestry that reveals a delicate balance between destruction and renewal. 

Back matter containing fascinating facts and further reading portrays forest fires not just as destructive forces but as catalysts for growth and rebirth. With its lyrical rhyming text and breathtaking illustrations, A Forest Begins Anew honors nature’s ability to survive against the odds.

GOODREADS    /    PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

With care and respect for nature, these pages help readers understand a little more about how forests recover after a fire.

Starting with lightning striking an already very dry forest, this books leads readers through the moments when the fire spreads and the animals run. Then, come the fire fighters, who use different means to get it under control. But most of these pages cover the aftermath and demonstrate how a burned out forest finds life again. These blossoms, blooms, and sprouting greenery also get a little help as volunteers add their contributions. Then, on the last pages, there's detailed and specific information surrounding all of this and more.

This is a lovely read for anyone wanting to raise awareness for forest fires or anyone wanting to explore the entire process of a forest's rebirth with a young reader. The book fits the age group nicely as it gently leads readers through the entire situation, while making the emotions behind each moment clear. For example, while the fire scenes carry a sense of danger and weight, there's also a sense of hope as the animals successfully flee and the fire fighters arrive. There's a sense of wonder as the dead forest slowly shows signs of life, and the pacing is just right to keep readers interested. The entire thing flows nicely and creates a smooth read-aloud. 

The illustrations are well done and bring each moment to life. Readers can explore these on their own and still get a sense of the story even if they can't read every word themselves. The end of the book holds quite a bit of information, which adults can use to expand on various aspects related to the happenings in the book. This makes it a lovely addition for group activities, homeschoolers and more.

And here they are...

Louise M. Aamodt is an ESL and science teacher, an active SCBWI member, and children’s book author. A Forest Begins Anew, which won the Marvelous Midwest Conference manuscript contest, is her debut picture book.

 https://www.LouiseAamodt.com. 

Elly MacKay is an award-winning picture book maker whose titles include Butterfly Park (a 2015 Junior Library Guild Selection) and Red Sky At Night (a 2018 New York Public Library’s Best Books for Kids Selection). She has been interviewed about her unique illustration process in CBC Arts and the Washington Post. Visit theaterclouds.com.

Happy Book Birthday, The Bunny Ballet by Nora Ericson!

It's time to celebrate with another book birthday! Maybe, I should start baking little cakes for these, but that wouldn't help my waistline...although it would put a smile on my face. 

Today's read visits a ballet and not just any ballet. Bunnies take the stage and let their movements take flight in what, I hope, will be a imaginative tale. I'm getting night-time vibes from the cover, too. So maybe, this one will work as a bedtime read?

Let's open it up and find out!

THE BUNNY BALLET

by Nora Ericson

Illustrated by Elly MacKay

Abrams Books

Picture Book

48 pages

ages 4 to 8

Prepare to be dazzled from your whiskers to your paws! From Nora Ericson and Elly MacKay, the creators of the award-winning picture book Too Early, comes a showstopping performance with precious performers, perfect for animal and dance lovers everywhere

Doors are closing, lights are dimming. Strings are singing, it’s beginning.

Hop on in, take your seat, and watch the curtains rise on the Bunny Ballet! When a brother and sister stumble upon an extraordinary woodland show, they’re introduced to the magic of dance. Noses twitch, whiskers quiver, and graceful bunnies leap and soar across the stage as the audience sits on the edge of their seats.

Nora Ericson and Elly MacKay’s enchanting picture book full of fluffy plies, grand jetés, and perfect bunny pirouettes is the ultimate read-aloud for dancers and dreamers of all ages and species.

GOODREADS     /      AMAZON     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

Gentle fantasy lures into a magical world, where bunnies dance and pirouette into nightly dreams.

The ballet is about to begin, and these pages lead readers to the show. With an invitation to come in and settle into the seats, a personal atmosphere is set to open the doors to vivid imagination. The stage is in the forest, and bunnies are dressed in matching outfits as they leap into action. Every page showcases movement as the animals spin or present their grand jetes. An intermission offers a little break as readers follow the characters to a refreshment area before the show begins again. 

The entire book is set up to give readers the impression they are attending the performance. This just doesn't include the ballet but works in lovely interactions as things get settled or happen in the background, too. So there's a gentle sprinkling of light, cute humor to add a lightness without tip-toeing into the funny direction. This dive into fantasy holds the entire way through. While ballet fans are sure to enjoy every arabesque and pirouette, the warmth of the tale will lure others in as well. It's a warm setting, and while excitement surrounding the performance beams from every page, it still sets a comforting atmosphere of wonder.

The illustrations hold an innocent and imaginative mood while highlighting the bunnies' performance. These are ideal for young listeners to flip through on their own and dream of watching the ballet themselves. It creates a lovely read-aloud, too, as the text and vocabulary flow right along. There are several more difficult vocabulary words to help build the word skills, and the ballet terms aren't forgotten. 

It's a magical read and lovely way to lead to the world of dreams.

And here they are...

Nora Ericson studied painting at Yale University and writing for children at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Originally from central New York, she now lives in Portland, Oregon, with two kids, two dogs, and two cats. Besides reading and writing, she loves cooking, tromping in the woods, and whittling spoons while daydreaming of her future miniature donkey farm. She’s also the author of Dill & Bizzy: An Odd Duck and a Strange Bird and Dill & Bizzy: Opposite Day.

Elly MacKay is an internationally recognized paper artist and children’s book author and illustrator. She wrote and illustrated the picture books Red Sky at Night, If You Hold a Seed, and Butterfly Park, among others. The distinctive three-dimensional quality in her works is made by setting up layers of painted paper in a miniature theater. She lights the scene and photographs it to create her unique illustrations. MacKay lives in Owen Sound, Ontario, with her family