Looking Closely Across the Desert

Look closely. Look very closely. Is it—a pincushion? Monster's skin? Give up? Just turn the page and, lo and behold, it's a prickly pear cactus. See what looks like cornsilk revealed as sandstone, a birthday candle as a saguaro cactus flower, and many more surprises when you look closely across the desert. The Looking Closely series takes children on a journey of discovery through four environments — the forest, the shore, the desert and the garden. Frank Serafini's camera lens enlarges each world through the magic of close-up photography. Young eyes will rediscover our planet as a place of beauty, mystery and delight. Readers are first challenged to guess the identity of each closeup photograph. The next page reveals the entire photograph of the plant, animal or natural object accompanied by a simple but detailed description of the habitat. By inspiring children to ask questions and use their imaginations, these books help build problem-solving skills. They also encourage curiosity about environments that, examined this closely, are full of unexpected wonders.

This book in the Looking Closely series will take children on a journey of discovery across the desert while inspiring them to ask questions and use their imaginations.

Children's Literature

Think that the desert is a dry, dusty, lifeless place? Think again! In this addition to Frank Serafini's "Looking Closely" series, readers get up-close looks at the beauty and life of the desert. From prickly pear cactus to diamondback rattlesnakes, the author-photographer engages the readers with vivid photography and clever text. Young children will delight in the "I Spy" aspect of the book as they try to guess from a small detail what the whole picture could be, while older children will appreciate the fun facts on each plant or creature living in the desert. The spiny lizard, a sandstone wave, saguaro cactus flowers, desert bighorn sheep, gold poppies, agave and sand dunes all get the close-up treatment of Serafini's camera lens. A note from the author explains how he hopes his photography can be used to help children (and adults, too!) slow down, see things in a new way and appreciate the natural beauty around us. This book could be used in a study of climates, as an introduction to the importance of observation or even as a practice in using visual literacy skills. Reviewer: Leah Hanson

Frank Serafini is an educator and avid nature photographer whose work has taken him from Fiji to Mexico, from Canada to Australia. Previously a primary schoolteacher, Frank is now Associate Professor of Children's Literature and Literacy Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Frank Serafini is an educator and avid nature photographer whose work has taken him from Fiji to Mexico, from Canada to Australia. Previously a primary schoolteacher, Frank is now Associate Professor of Children's Literature and Literacy Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.