Looking Closely Through the Forest

Look closely. Look very closely. Is it—flakes of oatmeal? A moldy orange? Give up? Just turn the page and, lo and behold, it's a spotted toadstool! See what looks like gummy candy revealed as a millipede, a woolly scarf as frost on leaves, and many more surprises when you look closely through the forest. 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 through the forest while inspiring them to ask questions and use their imaginations.

Children's Literature

Close-up photographs explore the wonders of the forest, inviting the reader to look closely and imagine. These close-ups provide the foundation for the repetitive introductory pages: "Look very closely. What do you see? A wooly scarf? An insect leg? What could it be?" The page turn reveals the full photo (in this case frost on a leaf), identifying the plant or animal, accompanied by brief paragraphs giving information. Gummy candy? No, a millipede. A dragon eye? Nope, a green frog! There is playfulness to the text, inviting youngsters to speculate and enjoy the possibilities as they investigate the beauties of nature. The simple design and font give elegance to the book, allowing the focus to stay on the photographs. In the author's note, Serafini writes he wants "people to pay attention to the world around them, to appreciate what nature has to offer, and to begin to protect the fragile environment in which we live." He succeeds admirably in a book that will work with groups, families, or one on one. Fortunately, there will be more in the "Looking Closely" series. Reviewer: Peg Glisson

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.