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Children's Nonfiction Trees & Forests

When a Tree Falls

Nurse Logs and Their Incredible Forest Power

by (author) Kirsten Pendreigh

illustrated by Elke Boschinger

Publisher
Chronicle Books
Initial publish date
Mar 2025
Category
Trees & Forests, General, General
  • Hardback

    ISBN
    9781797218670
    Publish Date
    Mar 2025
    List Price
    $28.99

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Where to buy it

Recommended Age, Grade, and Reading Levels

  • Age: 6 to 9
  • Grade: 1 to 4

Description

The perfect read for exploring nature with children, this beautiful nonfiction picture book offers an awe-inspiring look at the forest’s life cycle.

A tree suns and sways in the forest. She is a place to grow, to rest, and to shelter. But what happens when a tree falls? The answer will make your heart soar.
In this lyrical picture book, explore how the extraordinary nurse log provides a nutrient-rich space for new seedlings, shelters small animals, hosts different plant species, and, most profoundly, nurtures a new tree in the process, renewing the cycle of life. Young readers will be amazed by the nurse log’s resilience and its powerful connection to the forest’s past, present, and future.

BOOK ABOUT TREES & MUCH MORE: Every organism in the forest ecosystem is connected. This fascinating picture book powerfully illustrates how the end of one life in the forest can be the beginning of another.

FOR LOVERS OF NATURE: When a Tree Falls is a reminder of the wondrous ecosystems in our own backyards and the wild forest beauty we may discover by looking closely. It is ideal for families who enjoy being in nature.

LUSH ILLUSTRATIONS: The forest life is rendered with such richness and detail that it invites readers to immerse themselves in the endlessly inspiring natural world.

GORGEOUS GIFT: An excellent choice for a classroom book or as a gift for kids who love trees, spending time outdoors, and are mindful of environmental issues.

Perfect for:

  • Kids who are interested in trees and forests
  • Parents and grandparents of children who want to learn more about trees and forests
  • Teachers, educators, and librarians seeking beautiful nonfiction books with STEM content
  • Gift-givers looking for a distinctive present for an animal- or nature-loving child
  • Anyone seeking a picture book that promotes environmental awareness
  • Readers of Because of an Acorn, Over and Under the Rainforest, and Wake Up, Woodlands

About the authors

KIRSTEN PENDREIGH is a children’s author and poet from Vancouver, BC. Her books celebrate our early instincts to care for the plants and creatures that share our planet. She is the author of Luna’s Green Pet, illustrated by Carmen Mok. Kirsten’s poems can be found in Canadian literary magazines and in Best Canadian Poetry 2021. Formerly a CBC and NPR journalist, Kirsten also writes non-fiction for children.

Kirsten Pendreigh's profile page

Elke Boschinger's profile page

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