Forests by Nell Cross Beckerman, illustrated by Kalen Chock
Publisher: Orchard Books
Publication Date: November 4, 2025
Reviewed from Edelweiss e-galley
ISBN: 9781546130970
Enter a variety of forests from across the world in this nonfiction picture book. Start with the wonder of a deciduous forest at night and then explore it during the day. There is information on roots and fungi and then the drama of a forest wildfire and how trees survive. The book moves on to a kelp forest in the ocean, the beauty of a forest hosting butterflies. It includes the Amazonian rainforest and a bamboo forest in Japan, each with its own visuals, sounds and facts.
All of the facts shared are fascinating and add to the understanding of how forests work together and how humans impact them for good and bad. There is a sense of wonder as each page turns and reveals a different forest or a new aspect of the same one. The digital illustrations are arrestingly beautiful from the beam of the flashlight on the first pages to the destructive beauty of fire to the cool greens of bamboo. Each image embraces the colors of the landscape, comparing and contrasting visually.
A detailed and interesting glimpse of forests both familiar and new. Appropriate for ages 5-9.
An Iranian boy is woken up by his grandmother. They have breakfast together on the old frayed rug before taking a meal out to Grandpa in the field where he is herding sheep. The three start planning to make a new rug. They wash the wool and card out the tangles. They spin it into wool that is dyed with local flowers. Then the design is plotted out on graph paper. Next they start weaving on the loom, creating Persian knots to hold tight. The boy learns to create knots and not tangles, until midway his grandmother adds the Persian flaw to keep it from being perfect. The new rug is finished and ready for new memories to be made.
Nayeri shows the art of Persian rug making through the eyes of a child, making not only the art itself accessible but also showing the love of grandparents along the way. The boy learns the craft and also the heart of making rugs, with specific emphasis on the Persian flaw and the lack of perfectionism. The art in the book captures the colors of the wool, the beauty of the flowers, and the lovely designs of both rugs that the family uses.
Family, warmth and art combine in a winning title. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
Jack lived with his grandfather in a house filled with music. There was music on the record player plus his grandfather played several instruments, including the guitar. Jack particularly loved it when his grandfather played the guitar, especially the song about the blackbird. Jack asked his grandfather to show him how to play the blackbird song, but first it took a lot of help and practice to even play a single chord. With encouragement from his grandfather, Jack kept at it and learned to play the guitar. As Jack got bigger and the guitar got smaller, he left home and played music all over the world. When he returned, his grandfather was different and this time it was Jack who showed him how to play.
Throughout this book, I could hear the song about the blackbird in my head, haunting and lovely. Children will want to hear that song after reading this book. The touching relationship between the two characters comes full circle by the end of the story as the grandfather grapples with dementia. The power and connectivity of music is on full display throughout the tale. James’ art is deeply organic yet accessible, showing the two characters as their relationship evolves and changes in the small blue house.
Sure to strike the right chord. Appropriate for ages 5-7.
The author of The Airport Book and The Hospital Book returns with another book about a turning point in a child’s life. Told by an older sibling, the book shares a list of the places that their family has lived in. Before the younger sister was born, they lived in a tiny apartment with their grandfather downstairs. They moved to a tall apartment building with lots of stairs. Next came a larger apartment in a building with elevators near the museum. Finally, their current house where they had their own bedrooms. Now it’s time for another move, this time to a place with their grandfather.
Brown captures something I rarely see in picture books, the fact that many families move multiple times as children grow up. Each of the places they lived had something special about it from a child’s point of view: a great playground, warm bagels, a nearby museum, a grandparent right next door. The illustrations capture the packing and unpacking of boxes, the search for favorite toys, and the family working together no matter where they live.
A warm and lovely look at more than one move. Appropriate for ages 3-5.
When Auset’s parents divorce, her world splits into two. Happily, she has Sweet Honey in the Rock and Bob Marley to help her. Auset tries going to a therapist, but finds her stuffed dolphin a much better listener. Auset is doing OK at school, keeping up appearances and not showing how hurt and angry she is. Except that one time when she hit a kid at school and made him cry. Auset doesn’t tell her mother the truth, pretending to be OK. Luckily she can talk to her dad more honestly. It takes a lot of songs, love and honesty to try to get through suddenly having two homes.
Told in verse, this picture book beautifully shares the emotions of having parents divorce and the direct impact it has on a child. Auset is wonderfully both herself and also speaks universally of the journey involved in divorce and loss. The use of verse captures emotions and relationships, struggles and triumphs. The acrylic art is vibrant and depicts Auset’s feelings clearly.
A moving picture book about divorce and families. Appropriate for ages 4-7.
Waking Brain Cells 