Ancient Ones: The World of the Old-Growth Douglas Fir

Tree Tales

by Barbara Bash

Two titles from Barbara Bash's highly acclaimed "Tree Tales" series are available for the first time in paperback! In a brilliant combination of lyrical prose and glowing watercolors, each book documents the lifecycle of the world's great trees and reveals its importance to the many life forms that flourish beneath and within its welcoming branches. In Ancient Ones,, Bash captures the ongoing drama not only of the Douglas fir but of the old-growth forest itself. The book "beautifully affirms the concept of a cycle of life," wrote Publishers Weekly in a starred review. "A wondrous walk trhough an old-growth forest," said School Library Journal, in another starred review. "Reading Ancient Ones is the next best thing to being there."

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Nonfiction, Childrens

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Barbara Bash grew up in Barrington, Illinois and has worked for many years as a calligrapher, illustrator and teacher of book arts and botanical drawing. She currently lives in upstate New York.

Reviews

[Lisa Vegan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a phenomenal book about the ecosystem of a Douglas Fir old growth forest. The illustrations are outstanding. They start with showing the majestic trees and forest area, and then show the smaller, sometimes, tiny creatures that live in the forest. It was all so engrossing I forgot I am squeamish about many of these smaller organisms. The text explains the cycle of life and death and rebirth, and how complex it is. The book ends with an author’s note about deforestation and clear cutting, and preservation. The inside covers have pictures of a Douglas Fir from one year (grasses and herbs) to old growth (250 to 1,000 years).

I love this tree series and was particularly interested in this one because these Douglas Firs are not all that far north from where I live. I need to try to get there and see some. I might have years ago, but without stopping or sufficiently appreciating them.

This is a great book/series for studying ecosystems, for kids who love trees, for activist kids, and is a great motivator for working to preserve old growth forests everywhere.

The illustrations can be appreciated by all but the text is more for middle school, not preschool age, kids. At least a ½ star off because here I really, really needed the illustrations to completely hold my attention. The text itself started off a bit poetic and then turned a tad dry, I thought.

4 ½ stars

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Barbara Bash returns once again to the arboreal world in this third entry in her Tree Tales series - other titles include: Desert Giant: The World of the Saguaro Cactus , Tree of Life: The World of the African Baobab and In the Heart of the Village : The World of the Indian Banyan Tree - this time examining the life-cycle of the Douglas Fir. Detailing the wealth of wildlife that rely on them - for their homes, for their food - she demonstrates that these massive trees are, in addition to being an important part of the Pacific Northwest ecosystem, entire ecosystems in their own right. Some animal species, such as the Red Tree Vole, live their entire lives in the branches of the Douglas Fir. Bash concludes with a discussion of the tree as it slowly dies and disintegrates: the home and sustenance its downed trunk provides to many species, and the nutrients it provides to the soil itself, after it is finally broken down.

I found Ancient Ones: The World of the Old-Growth Douglas Fir just as engaging as its two predecessors, and think it would make an excellent title for use in a primary-school-level nature study. I learnt quite a bit from reading it, came away with a desire to know more, and found the artwork, with its lovely color palette and accurate depiction of flora and fauna, immensely appealing. I have only ever been in an old-growth forest once, but it was truly an awe-inspiring experience! I'm glad to see such an engaging work of natural history devoted to the topic, for the picture-book set.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lovely illustrated, calligraphy typeset book telling the story of the life cycle and interaction of a pacific ancient Douglas fir tree. This was an inter-library loan.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is right up my alley, I love books with information about trees and nature. This was educational and the illustrations were well done with realistic features to look for while out in the forest. Maybe my favorite part was seeing the old school list of dates this book was checked out throughout in dates/years starting in 1995. It’s fun to see that part of history.

[Lafcadio · Rating 2 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, and great for an adult nerding out. I wouldn't recommend this for your average picture-book-aged kid unless it's for bedtime.

[Stella · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful non-fiction picture book of what our PNW forests should look like...if we'd just stop cutting them down.

[Lois · Rating 5 out of 5]

The text is so good; makes me feel what it would be like to be inside such a forest. The paintings are also very evocative. At less than 30 pages, this book can be read in 20-30 minutes, but it is a book to savor, read slowly, and re-read.

[Rissie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good circle of life book centered around Douglas Firs of the Pacific North West. Really interesting story of trees, birds, squirrels, bugs and fires. Very good.

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to visit an old growth forest.