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Leaf Litter
Leaves, twigs and bark collect on the ground in forests all over he world. We call it leaf litter, but it isn't really rubbish at all. Rachel Tonkin explores a small patch of leaf litter beneath one tree. Ages 6+.
40 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2006
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37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
October 29, 2019
What a wonderful insight into the microcosmic life that happens on the forest floor. Leaf Litter, meticulously illustrated by Tonkin, presents us with an overview of life on and under the forest floor following the lives of insects, lizards, birds, mammals and various other creatures. Huge double-page spreads invite endless searching (and an eye-spy guide at the back encourages this) for different elements of life under the leaves that fall beneath the branches of a single tree.
Set within Australia, the artist's perspective changes only with the seasons and passing of time. We stay looking on the same floorspace where ants nests are lost to the tongue of a roaming echidna or the rotting carcass of a lizard is taken underground by beetles for their larvae to consume. Each spread comes with a few flaps to lift - little invitations to dig beneath the soil. At the bottom of each page are carefully concise notes that subtly hint at the delicate balance of food webs and natural order.
The book is big enough for sharing and imagine that many children would love to share this with a friend in the classroom. I'd love to see one in which similar environments in the U.K. are explored this way.
Set within Australia, the artist's perspective changes only with the seasons and passing of time. We stay looking on the same floorspace where ants nests are lost to the tongue of a roaming echidna or the rotting carcass of a lizard is taken underground by beetles for their larvae to consume. Each spread comes with a few flaps to lift - little invitations to dig beneath the soil. At the bottom of each page are carefully concise notes that subtly hint at the delicate balance of food webs and natural order.
The book is big enough for sharing and imagine that many children would love to share this with a friend in the classroom. I'd love to see one in which similar environments in the U.K. are explored this way.
January 8, 2020
Fantastic picture book showing the evolving landscape of the Australian bush floor.
Very engaging and the story of the creatures and plants ebbs and flows through the pages showing life cycles, survival and rejuvenation. This one is a real gem we will read over and over.
Very engaging and the story of the creatures and plants ebbs and flows through the pages showing life cycles, survival and rejuvenation. This one is a real gem we will read over and over.
June 28, 2019
A glorious book to pore over.
September 28, 2022
This was a beautifully illustrated and informative book.
December 24, 2009
A beautifully illustrated Australian picture book which will introduce kids to the lifecycle of birds, insects, mice and other bush creatures. The book also features death as part and parcel of life. The pictures are packed with detail and the book winds up telling you suggestions of what to search for on each page which will leave the kids searching (with magnifying glasses) for hours.
May 12, 2011
Wow, it's like a informative Where's Wally....What can you find in "the leaf litter'?
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews