Thursday, May 17, 2012

A Log's Life by Wendy Pfeffer

A Log's Life by Wendy Pfeffer; Illustrations by Robin Brickman
S&S. 1997

As the weather warms up and families spend more time outdoors, A Log’s Life by Wendy Pfeffer is an excellent book to share with young readers. In simple language and amazing cut-paper collage, the book introduces to young readers the life cycle of a tree. 

Beginning with a great oak, we see it teaming with life. Squirrels live in a hole in the trunk, a woodpecker searches for insects in the rough bark, wood-boring beetles burrow under the bark chewing wood. Then, during a storm, the tree is hit by lightning and topples to the ground. Over the course of many seasons, summer, winter, fall, and summer, as many animals and insects find shelter in the downed tree, it also slowly rots. And soon, there is no log left but fertile earth. Soon, a seedling oak sprouts and grows and grows until it becomes majestic. Then, another storm and the tree falls, and the cycle begins again.

Scholastic provides lesson plans or go to YouTube for the book trailer.

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