Each Living Thing

This book has been a mainstay for my children while growing up. Every now and then, we turn to it for the peace and thoughtfulness it invokes. It is beautifully illustrated, and manages to teach lessons on environmental awareness without being preachy. The writing is simple yet has a poetic nature to it that is interesting to older children , and the illustrations are wonderful, and mesmerizing for all ages. I am giving this book as a gift to every elementary school teacher my children have, to help them with lessons before field trips or just with general conscientious behavior. Truly, this is among the top three best children's book that we have.

Ashley Wolff is my favorite illustrator and I have ALL of her books (including out of print ones, and sorry, I'm not selling!). This book, along with "home sweet home," has a strong message of reverence for nature and caring for its treasures. My two daughters love to look at the richly detailed illustrations and discover all the wildlife "hidden" in the pictures. On each page dozens of creatures lurk in the shadows, begging to be found. The text is melodic and meaningful, and could be read quickly, if not for the illustrations which cause you to linger and delight in the joy of discovery. This book is a must have! Also makes an excellent gift -- you will be praised for your good taste in art and children's literature.

Looking for a way to introduce your toddler to the awe, beauty and magic in nature? If you are a parent, grandparent or caregiver who hopes to share a love for mother earth with your child, then this is a perfect book to set the stage. My two and a half year old loves this book--the illustrations are beautiful and fun to discuss. I love reading it with him because I feel it helps convey our values and teaches him to respect all living things. I love the last few lines, in talking about animals in nature: Be aware of them, take care of them, be watchful...let them be. Truly a treasure!

Here's a picture book filled with vivid colors of Ashley's Wolff's scenes of a child's view of the natural world. Minimal text by Joanne Ryder accompanies each picture with reminders to watch out for each living thing. Whether it's a spider's elegant web, wriggling worms, snapping crabs, bears in the woods at dusk, owls and bats taking wing at night this book encourages children to be watchful, take care of them, let them be. My kindergarten age daughter enjoys picking out all the animals hiding in each picture! Your family will enjoy this book as much as mine does.