Where Once There Was a Wood [Hardcover]

Denise Fleming (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 15, 1996 | Age Level: 4 and up | Grade Level: P and up

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!

Editorial Reviews

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.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4 and up
  
• Hardcover: 34 pages
• Publisher: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR); 1st edition (April 15, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805037616
• ISBN-13: 978-0805037616
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 10.1 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,258,712 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Denise Fleming won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. She is the author and illustrator of eighteen picture books, including Buster.

***INTERVIEW***
Q: Where did you grow up?
A: I grew up in Toledo,Ohio, where I live still. I am a midwestern girl.

Q: What is your earliest memory of writing/drawing?
A: It seems like I was always writing and drawing. I wanted to share my ideas from the beginning. A bit bossy am I.

Q: What inspired you to write/illustrate your first book?
A: I started collecting picture books in art school. I was crazy about the whole picture book format. I realized, as I was sharing books with my daughter, that making books is what I needed to do.

Q: What are your hobbies and interests besides reading and books?
A: I work in clay, create art from tin cans, and make art dolls. Right now I am working on combining all three media. I also dye and paint fabric for the dolls.
Planting flowers and painting the outside of my house and studio is what I am busy doing right now.

Q: What one or two words of advice would you give for young authors/illustrators?
A: Experiment with different styles and media.

*From Macmillan's Denise Fleming page.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book, positive and empowering environmental message., December 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Where Once There Was a Wood (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ecology for the very young, August 7, 2006

By 

R Powell "economics educator" (Fairfax, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Where Once There Was a Wood (Owlet Book) (Paperback)

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.

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for environmental education!, December 9, 2009

By 

Roadtripper (Chicago) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Where Once There Was a Wood (Owlet Book) (Paperback)

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.