In a Nutshell

Reviewed by Cayden Aures (age 4 1/2) and Mom for Reader Views (6/09) "In a Nutshell" follows the life of an acorn. We see how the acorn bursts open, takes root, and grows into a beautiful oak tree. Cayden: "I didn't know acorns did that! Acorns are like seeds. We have little trees that we planted in our yard that I help to water. Will our trees grow big like that tree from the acorn did? That is really big! This is a good book." Parent's comments: My son was very interested in this book mainly because one of his jobs is to water the young trees in our yard. He loved learning about how a tree grows from an acorn and following its entire life cycle. We enjoyed the colorful and detailed illustrations. "In a Nutshell" by Joseph Anthony is a wonderful book and we recommend it to any little nature lover!

This book discusses the life cycle of an oak tree in poetic prose and beautiful illustrations. The use of sunlight as the basis of growth and life is well-expressed.

A great way to introduce young children to this timeless storyand reacquaint us older ones. Cris Arbo's use of color andimagination is enchanting. By the way she draws the wonders of nature; she reminds us again of the nature of wonder...

Beautifully pictured through the art of Cris Arbo, Joseph Anthony's In A Nutshell explains to children ages 3 through 10 the great and universal questions of who we are, why we are here, where we come from, and where we go. Highly recommended.