(2) K-3 Illustrated by Dominique Ramsey. "Everyone starts small and then grows.” Scanlon gives readers and listeners a ­better understanding of the natural world through a lyrical exploration of how all its elements are interconnected. Everything is growing and doing well until Sun becomes “too hot,” which results in Tree overheating. Dry conditions caused by Sun eventually lead to Fire. The flames can only be cooled by Rain. As the temperature drops, Fire whispers, “I’m tired,” and “half the world, it seems, lies down to sleep.” While this dormant period may look like the end, Ramsey’s dynamic digital illustrations capture what’s still happening underneath Soil. Tree’s roots stretch down deeper into the dirt. Berry provides nutrients for Bug in a burrow, and seeds begin to germinate. Eventually, the resulting plants burst forth through the ground as small stalks, starting the cycle all over again. An author’s note explains how Earth’s ecosystems work together to look out for one another, particularly after “environmental traumas” such as fires and the “myriad effects of climate change.” It also includes a list of organizations young people can look to for ways to help.

Reviewer: | Horn Book Magazine Issue: March, 2024

(1) K-3 Illustrated by Dominique Ramsey. Most animals live in groups, but some live most of their lives by themselves. Stein introduces four solitary species and contrasts their contented solo lifestyles with social animals in similar habitats. In describing the social animals, their colorful collective nouns are used: after a parade of elephants, tower of giraffes, and dazzle of zebras arrive at a waterhole, the panther appears "by herself" without additional descriptors. Similarly, an octopus and an eagle are contrasted with sea and air animals, respectively, which include a pod of whales, school of fish, huddle of hummingbirds, and kit of pigeons. A lone sloth receives no comparisons but is instead amusingly portrayed moving very slowly as a single short sentence unfolds across a three-spread sequence: "The sloth is... / ...a solitary... / ...animal, too." The visually stunning and dynamic illustrations favor inky black, indigo, and light blue backgrounds, in front of which the contrastingly colorful animals seem to glow. A section titled "More about Solitary Animals" provides brief answers to questions young children might ask as they compare their feelings about aloneness with those of the creatures.

Reviewer: Danielle J. Ford | Horn Book Magazine Issue: January, 2022