Where Once There Was a Wood

Rating:
Summary: An eloquent plea for preserving natural habitats
Review: Denise Fleming based "Where Once There Was a Wood" on the woods, meadows, and creek near her home in Toledo, Ohio. She spent a lot of time watching the wild animals go living in the woods, but now that area is a housing development. Through a series of bold, colorful paintings of the animals in the woods, and simple, poetic text, Fleming brings the natural habitat alive, capturing the change in a single picture of row after row of houses. Thus, the book leaves it up to young readers to make draw their own conclusions about how people should treat the living places of animals.

"Where Once There Was a Wood" serves two functions. First, it shows how animals and people can live close to one another. Everything Fleming depicts can be seen in most wooded areas. Second, it suggests that the natural homes of animals need to be respected on some level. In the back of her book Fleming urges her readers to "Welcome Wildlife to your Backyard Habitat." Explaining how wild creatures have four basic needs to space, shelter, water, and food, she provides a detailed list of food, trees and shrubs, as well as flowers, that can be used in your backyard to attract wild animals.

Rating:
Summary: An eloquent plea for preserving natural habitats
Review: Denise Fleming based "Where Once There Was a Wood" on the woods, meadows, and creek near her home in Toledo, Ohio. She spent a lot of time watching the wild animals go living in the woods, but now that area is a housing development. Through a series of bold, colorful paintings of the animals in the woods, and simple, poetic text, Fleming brings the natural habitat alive, capturing the change in a single picture of row after row of houses. Thus, the book leaves it up to young readers to make draw their own conclusions about how people should treat the living places of animals.

"Where Once There Was a Wood" serves two functions. First, it shows how animals and people can live close to one another. Everything Fleming depicts can be seen in most wooded areas. Second, it suggests that the natural homes of animals need to be respected on some level. In the back of her book Fleming urges her readers to "Welcome Wildlife to your Backyard Habitat." Explaining how wild creatures have four basic needs to space, shelter, water, and food, she provides a detailed list of food, trees and shrubs, as well as flowers, that can be used in your backyard to attract wild animals.

Rating:
Summary: Great book, positive and empowering environmental message.
Review: Story gently reminds us that our homes displaced wild areas and helps us think about how to remedy the damage. Great illustrations and a wonderful specific guide at the end showing simple yet significant ways children and adults can help, starting in their own yard.