Something Wonderful

By Matt Ritter, Nayl Gonzalez (Illustrator)

A fig seed's journey reveals the rainforest's intricate web of life.

4.0/5 Goodreads · 106 ratings

48 pages· 640 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

$17.99Save 6%

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Bookroo's summary

Embark on a vibrant journey through the rainforest as a tiny fig seed, dropped by a toucan, grows into a mighty tree. Witness the fascinating cycle of life as it attracts pollinators and sustains creatures, only to start anew. Discover the hidden wonders of rainforest ecology and play a 'seek and find' game with the elusive red-eyed tree frog. What secrets will the rainforest reveal next?

"In a hot and humid tropical forest, on a day like any other...a golden seed fell from the sky. It was a fig seed, and it landed high in the canopy of a giant tropical tree. Something wonderful was about to happen."

— from the book

From the publisher

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.

At a glance

Format: Hardcover
Pages: 48
Words: 640
Reading age: 5–8
Audience: Picture
Lexile: AD640L

Themes & topics

Books about rainforests Books about environmental science and ecosystems Books about science and nature Books about science Books about conservation

After the last page

Talk about it together

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?

What readers & critics say

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!”

Foreword Reviews

Critic

“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.”

Kirkus Reviews

Critic

“A great choice for classroom units on life cycles, symbiosis, and rain forest ecosystems.”

Booklist

Critic

“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.”

Sharon Lovejoy

Critic

“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.”

Peter Raven

Critic

“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!”

Francis Hallé

Critic

“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.”

James Cox

Critic

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