Product Description

Deer live in the woods, rabbits live in meadows, fish live in creeks, and people live in houses. We all need homes. But we need not destroy one while building another.

This eloquent book shows young readers how people and animals can live side by side. Starting, of course, in our own backyards!

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #1236549 in Books
• Published on: 1996-04-15
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Dimensions: .47" h x 10.30" w x 10.31" l, .97 pounds
• Binding: Hardcover
• 34 pages

From Publishers Weekly
This ardent plea for the conservation of wildlife habitats contains some of Fleming's (In the Small, Small Pond; Lunch, see p. 70) most accomplished artwork ever. Her paintings, composed of richly dyed and textured cotton rag fiber, sustain an emotional but controlled intensity. Through a combination of earthy browns and grays, occasionally splashed with bold yellow, red and blue, Fleming depicts a graceful natural world that she fears is disappearing. In the form of a single brief verse, she accompanies her art with a chronicle of creatures displaced by a newly erected housing development, "where once the heron fished/ and speared his glittering food.../ sit houses side by side/ twenty houses deep." Four well-designed pages follow the text with specific, practical suggestions about how communities and and individuals can help "welcome wildlife" to a backyard habitat. Addresses for further information and useful, anecdotal hints are also included. A beautiful call to action. Ages 5-10.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 2?Fleming's unique illustrative style provides an exciting backdrop to this distinctive, environmental picture book. The simple, hand-lettered text introduces the wild creatures and plants that once thrived in a wooded area, before their displacement by a housing development. Art, text, and design are creatively matched. Lush, textured collage artwork features a stunning combination and arrangement of colors with brilliant hues juxtaposed against muted earth tones. It is remarkable that the gentle, poetic narration is never overpowered by the pictures. Instead, a graceful rhythm is established as the natural habitats are explored. The tempo accelerates when animals are observed in action. The final two pages provide a dramatic conclusion as the text switches from free-flowing to deliberate. The illustrations change as well, presenting a sharp contrast between the beauty of the natural habitat and the stark symmetry of roof lines and window frames. Suggestions for creating backyard habitats and brief directions for establishing butterfly and hummingbird gardens are appended, along with information about the National Wildlife Federation and a list of related books. A book to be shared with and enjoyed by a wide audience.?Sarabeth Kalajian, Venice Public Library, FL
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
Ages 4^-7. Fleming celebrates wildlife in this beautifully illustrated picture book. The text is one long sentence strung out in fragments, telling of how things were before a housing development was built: "Where once there was a wood / a meadow / and a creek / where once the red fox rested and closed his eyes to sleep /. . . .where once there was a wood a meadow and a creek / sit houses side by side / twenty houses deep." Using her signature medium of papermaking with brightly colored cotton rag fibers, Fleming creates a series of striking spreads that show up particularly well from a distance. The textures and colors create appealing effects of dappled light and shadows. Four pages of appended notes, evidently aimed at adults and older children, tell how to plan a backyard habitat that welcomes wild creatures. Included are lists of plants that provide shelter and food and books that provide further information. Carolyn Phelan

Customer Reviews

Great book, positive and empowering environmental message.
Story gently reminds us that our homes displaced wild areas and helps us think about how to remedy the damage. Great illustrations and a wonderful specific guide at the end showing simple yet significant ways children and adults can help, starting in their own yard.

Ecology for the very young
This beautifully illustrated book is an excellent introduction to conservation and ecology for 5-7 year olds. The illustrations are inviting, and the text helps draw in young readers.

Great book for environmental education!
I use this book every year around Earth Day. My kindergarteners love it! The story is a bit sad and is a great discussion starter. My class asked me what was wrong when I was finished reading it with tears in my eyes.

Get this wonderful picture book for your class! If you incorporate environmental science into your curriculum, you won't regret it.