Shelterwood: Discovering the Forest [Paperback]

Judy Kellogg Markowsky (Author), Rosemary Giebfried (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1999 | Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

What is a forest? This engaging teachers guide explores forest diversity, from learning about different kinds of trees, to understanding how the layers in a forest provide habitat for all kinds of animals and insects. How do sun and shade, wind, water, and soil affect the forest? What do trees need to grow straight and strong, and how are they turned into boards or paper or other forest products? How do you read signs of wildlife in the woods, and what kinds of animals live where? Each chapter offers useful introductory material and clear objectives, followed by fun activities that encourage exploration while teaching important skillsperfect for a classroom unit on the forest, but also a wonderful teaching tool at nature centers or for homeschoolers.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-5-Sophie's grandfather is a conscientious logger, caring for his woods in the hope that they will last for generations to come. When the child spends the summer with him, he begins to pass on his knowledge, teaching her to tell the different trees apart, what they need to grow and thrive, and about woodland ecology. The narrative alternates between the nostalgic and the pedantic, too contemplative to work well as a read-aloud and too loosely episodic to hold independent readers' attention. Though information-packed, the text, does not smoothly meld fact and story. The illustrations are another case entirely. Lovely and impressionistic, these oils are rendered in a combination of broad, blurred strokes and clear detail that bring the woods to life. They give the narrative a context and atmosphere that it might otherwise lack. Shelterwood may be best used in teaching situations in which ecological issues are under discussion. Not many other books take on an illustration of the difference between clear-cutting and selective logging. For other, more readable introductions to the subject, try Jane Yolen's Owl Moon (Philomel, 1987).
Ann Welton, Terminal Park Elementary School, Auburn, WA
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

In this picture book set in Maine, a woman recalls the time spent with her grandfather as a girl, when she learned about nature and the proper stewardship of the land. The story moves from one remembered encounter with the natural world to another, with the grandfather serving as the guide. Matching the quiet simplicity of the words are McCall's oil paint illustrations. Painted with a soft, impressionistic quality, they evoke not only the changing light and moods of the woods, but also the feel of distant and cherished memories. Particularly striking is a deceptively simple picture of two birch trees at twilight. At the end of the book, the girl learns how proper care of the land can lead to the regeneration of the forest, even after logging. A striking and effective natural history. A teacher's guide is available. Todd Morning --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 80 pages
• Publisher: Tilbury House Pub; Tch edition (October 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0884482111
• ISBN-13: 978-0884482116
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,205,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You Can Learn Something, Too, November 8, 2000

By 

brein nally (Orono, ME) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shelterwood: Discovering the Forest (Paperback)

That's right, you can learn something, too! "Shelterwood: Discovering The Forest" is packed with information about the environment that will enlightened you as well as your students. For instance, did you know that a baby porcupine is called a porcupette? The teacher's guide contains fifteen chapters worth of creative forest related information. Within the guide, there are eighty well designed activities for children ranging from the third and sixth grade levels, including such topics as how to identify different species of trees, plants, and animals. Also, there are up to thirty three hand-outs that include anything from instructions on how to identify different animal tracks,or simple explanations on a tree's ever changing life. Included in the guide are several tree trivia questions with the ability to stump the best of environmentally educated minds. Of course, the trivia questions also come with well detailed answers that leave you full with knowledge. The teacher's guide may be designed for students, but I guarantee that the students won't be the only ones learning. This is the best source of environmental information for teachers who bring, or hope to bring, nature to the school year's curriculum.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a truly beautiful book!, January 10, 2000

By 

Ann Simmons - See all my reviews

This review is from: Shelterwood (Hardcover)

This is a truly beautiful book! The story is simple - a grandfather teaches his granddaughter about the trees and animals in the forest. The text and superb illustrations convey the gentleness of the grandfather/granddaughter relationship as well as the beauty of the forest and need for stewardship. I loved it!

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars seeing the trees of the forest, July 1, 2005

By 

Rebecca Brown "rebeccasreads" (Clallam Bay, WA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Shelterwood (Paperback)

Rebeccasreads highly recommends SHELTERWOOD, illustrated by Rebecca Haley McCall as a perennial joy. A story to be read every year, no matter where you live. This artist's images are endearing & memorable, as is what Susan Hand Shetterly has to teach about what timber loggers do, the forest in which they work & the creatures who live there.

Outstanding!