Something Wonderful
What's This Book About
From one tiny fig seed, journey into a world of rainforest ecology This educational and interactive picture book immerses the reader in the strange and interwoven lifecycles of the rainforest. The beautifully illustrated pages follow the journey of a fig seedling making its own roots and leaves, growing strong, and eventually replacing the giant tree that was its host. As it produces flowers and fruit, it attracts pollinators. A delectable fig is hungrily eaten by a passing toucan who, upon flight, aimlessly drops a seed into the treetops below, beginning the fig’s lifecycle once again. Readers will discover additional scientific information about the pollination process, insects, and animals in an illustrated section at the end of the book, and can play a “seek and find” game by locating the elusive red-eyed tree frog on each page of the story. With its engaging style and abundant imagery, Something Wonderful teaches the interdependence of rainforest ecology in an easy-to-follow, captivating story.
What Kind of Book is Something Wonderful
What Questions Should I Ask My Child
- How does the fig get pollinated? What needs to happen for the fig to make new seeds? What does the toucan do that helps a new tree grow? What does it mean when a seed germinates? What is a lifecycle?
Reviews
“A fig seed falls in the rain forest in this smart nature tale about the germination of grand wonders…With lines that evoke graphic novels, the illustrations come in gradients of green, vivifying the vibrant, varied ecosystem—and don’t miss the frog hidden on each page!”
“Ritter’s narrative offers condensed but informative text...A captivating amalgam of color and information that will keep young readers guessing and exploring…Each page is executed with scientific precision, and an entire canopy of forest greens and brown tree bark are shown in panoramic spreads...A gorgeous-looking lesson that will satisfy kids and parents alike.”
“A great choice for classroom units on life cycles, symbiosis, and rain forest ecosystems.”
“From the first golden seed to the plop of the Chestnut-mandibled toucan’s poop, this book shows the mysterious and intricate entwinements and cycles of a tropical rainforest.”
“By bringing children closer to nature—the complex nature of the tropics—this book both educates and delights! It is a joy for people of all ages to discover together.”
“Something Wonderful helps our children understand the life history of strangling figs, the most impressive tropical rainforest trees. I can’t imagine a better way to save these forests than to make children love them and all the organisms in them. Thank you, Matt Ritter and Nayl Gonzalez. And thank you to the frog!”
“Impressively informative, effectively presented…an extraordinary, memorable, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Environmental Studies picture book collections.”
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Book Details
- ISBN
- 9780999896013
- Publication Date
- March 2, 2021
- Publisher
- Pacific Street Publishing
- Illustration Details
- Color, freehand digital
- Page Count
- 48
- Words Per Page
- 13
- Audience
- Picture
- Reading Age
- 5 - 8 years
- Lib. of Congress (LCCN)
- 2019950501
- WorldCat Number (OCLC)
- 1235775669
- Lexile® Level
- 640L
- Est. Fountas & Pinnell Level
- ~P
- Est. ATOS® Book Level
- ~4.1
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