Cave

I love Diane Siebert's poetic picture books. Her poetry is always fun to read, her content is always accurate, and she always has the best illustrators working with her. Cave may be her best book yet. Any child hearing or reading this extended poem will learn about limestone caves from the formation of the original layer of limestone to the actions of humans on the caves [both beautiful (neolithic cave paintings) and destructive (the destruction and removal of cave formations)]. The book contains the fun kinds of multisyllabic words that kids like to learn and say - words like stalactite, stalagmite, and troglophiles - and includes a pronunciation guide at the end of the book. The book includes an author's note at the end that provides a little more background for the adult reader. I highly recommend that you get a copy of this wonderful picture book for your favorite young reader.

Another Diane Siebert book, "Sierra," was recommended in a university program on childrens' literacy. In searching for that book I found, "Cave," which is even more engaging. The content of these books is very educational for adults and children, and their poetry and illustrations make the subject matter both simple and mature. This series is marvelous for children of any age. In these books, the authors take the readers to a place where non-fiction meets artistry. I'm reading them to my 10-month old daughter now and expect her to get more and more out of them each year she grows older. If you think you're an expert on caves, make sure you know the difference between trogloxenes, trolophiles, and troglobites. Ooh, that's a tough one.