A FOREST BEGINS ANEW: FIRES VS FUTURES

 If you didn't catch my recent notes about JUST ONE OAK, feel free to read that or other posts-from-the-past in praise of books that reveal and celebrate the remarkable role of trees and forests of all types. When such essential anchors of bio-systems are left to the forces of nature, they can and do serve years, even centuries of purpose within our planet's survival and evolutionary success. 

The role of a single tree, let alone a forest full of trees, spans centuries, landscapes, and lifetimes, demonstrating impressive generative intelligence to rival anything AI might offer. (In my humble opinion, ahem). 

Fires do occur naturally, and can be launched intentionally for regenerative purposes. This has been true across cultures and time. Measurable changes in climate patterns are producing earlier and hotter seasons, more extremes in drought and rainfall, deeper and longer el niño and el niña seasons, with winds and other conditions that result in forest fires far more extensive and destructive than in recorded history. And these reoccur more frequently and severely with each passing year. 

ASTRA YOUNG READERS
2026

As the author's dedication in A FOREST BEGINS ANEW states, this book is "For EVERYONE SEARCHING FOR HOPE". I appreciated that and also a quote from youth activist Greta Thurnberg: "You are never to small to make a difference."

This is a debut from author Louise M. Aamodt and her rhymed text is effectively illustrated by Elly MacKay. 

The lyrical lines unfold in the rhythm of "this is the house..."  but don't rely on that template completely. Rather than accumulating and repeating stanzas or locking exclusively into the original pattern, occasional short phrases signal transitions and progressions, while each stanza and page spread is focused on a phase of the timeline from the assumption that readers won't need to learn what a forest is, but can be led immediately into the launch of a heat-lightning strike on a single tree. Tension is instantaneous as cloud becomes strike becomes flames. Each rapid development is illustrated with informative details that reveal the plant and animal life affected at each stage while allowing readers to predict and question throughout each anticipated page turn. 

Lightning storms in themselves can be overwhelming to young audiences, and forest fires are even more so. (Think Bambi!). The grace and strength of this narrative and visual journey is that the pages with threat and devastation all incorporate survival, while moving readers through to hopeful management and adaptation within the first third of the book. Moving forward, the means through which both nature and humans can preserve and restore a healthy habitat is less stressful and much more reassuring and promising. Animals and youth all have agency and purpose in assuring a continuation of life, concluding with this sample of the undulating text:

"New signs of life

fill the burnt trees:

Critters/ and flitters/ and creepers/ and bees.

Budding and blooming

where fire swept through, 

this is a forest--

beginning anew.

The main text deserves praise and attention, but it's the back matter that reveals the teaching background of the author, including a posed and then explored question: 

Are fires good for forests?

Also an author note addresses readers, directly posing concern for shared feelings of helplessness and overwhelming emotions that arise during natural disasters. Brief and accessible added facts follow that short message, revealing the extensive research behind a seemingly simple text. For those seeking sources and validation of content or added information, multiple pages of references conclude this wonderful addition to any school, classroom, home, or nature collection.

We are currently immersed in a trajectory of global climate change that, in the scope of our planet's timeline, is barely a blink of the eye. And yet, we live our lives in his comparatively slo-mo space in which we can and should take actions. This remarkable picture book provides reassurance for all (yes, for worried young folks, but for older folks like me, as well). Fires, even those accelerated by human-caused environmental extremes, are recoverable, can even be beneficial, when we give nature time (and a hand) to regenerate and restore itself. That helps to know, and offers some science-based initiatives to suggest for young activists. Fire season, especially in western north America, is already upon us. Hurry to obtain a copy and read this, then share it with young people in your life.

TOO EARLY... But Never Too Late for Daddy

 I did not write a post in celebration of FATHERS' DAY last Sunday, as I had done in the past, HERE and HERE. Looking back, though, I have also written about the importance of fathers' work on other days of the year, HERE, HERE, and HERE. That was reassuring, reminding me of my innate resistance to celebrating and remembering important people and contributions at designated times, dictated by the calendar. So, without the apology I had planned to offer for not posting this last Sunday, on Fathers' Day, I am excited to share one of the most tender, glowing, and huggable picture books I've read lately.

ABRAMS
BOOKS FOR YOUNG READERS
2022

TOO EARLY sounds as if it, too, is about bad timing. Written by Nora Ericson and illustrated by Elly MacKay, the first line, "I wake up too early", clarifies the topic. This youngster is emerging from bed in starlight-spangled jammies, toting bed-bunny in one hand, waking up too early for her exhausted parents. Even so, her sleepy daddy rises (reluctantly) and together they spend a precious few early morning minutes together: watching the doggies stretch, sipping on mugs of warm milk and hot coffee, experiencing the big sky, cool air, and brilliant moon on the back porch.

The scenes portrayed on each double spread are mounted on blue backgrounds with masterful use of glowing light, shadows, and perspectives to allow both daddy and child to notice the night star, the coo of doves, and the warmth of a porch hug. 

With each page turn, the background lightens slightly, blended tones of pink and yellow emerging. Eventually the baby cries upstairs and "rush" takes its turn while the doggies slip back to sleep. From the nearly indigo front papers to the pale blue end papers, readers have shared these precious father-child minutes. Just as the family pair are likely to do this again and again (since that "too early" waking is clearly a pattern), readers may return to the book again and again to experience this.

The text is simple and subtle, with hints toward rhyme and other lyrical lifts, but relying on purity of phrase and childlike observations. The combination of wry remarks and background visual details allow for light humor and recognition of real life, too.

People often say they are "Larks" or "Owls", some waking (and functioning best) in the early hours with others shining in the very late hours of each day. Whatever determines that in each of us, it does appear to be innate. I didn't learn those labels until much later, but knew from early on that I was a lark. Dad was the household "first up" in my childhood. He used an alarm but usually I was lying awake to hear it go off. At an early age, unlike this child, I'd reluctantly stay in bed, waiting until it was time for me to get up. By the time I was in school, though, I'd wait for Dad to click the  bathroom door closed, preparing for another day at work. Then I'd slip downstairs, open the front door to retrieve the morning paper, and settle into a chair to read, refolding each section  when I finished. The house was still and dark except for my single light. By the time I heard the bathroom door open, I'd settle the paper at Dad's place at the table and head up to get ready for school. On a few mornings when the paper held some longer attraction, I'd feel Dad's hand on my head when he came down, sometimes saying, "Good morning, early bird!". 

I read many books that resonate with my memories, many books I wish I'd written. TOO EARLY feels to me like a book that came from a personal memory but will feel to many readers as if it was written just for them.