Forest Bright, Forest Night

Reviewer's Bookwatch, May, 2008 by Cayden Aures, Max Aures

Forest Bright, Forest Night (A Simple NatureBook)

Jennifer Ward

Dawn Publications

12402 Bitney Springs Rd, Nevada City, CA 95959

ISBN 9781584690894, $7.95, (530) 274-7775

"Forest Bright, Forest Night" is part of the "Simply Nature" series and is a great introduction to forest animals. The first half of the book explores different animals that you see in the forest during the daytime such as deer, woodpeckers, and squirrels. The second half of the book introduces us to a variety of nocturnal animals such as owls, skunks, and opossums. In the corner of each page there is a number corresponding to the number of that animal on the page. There are also "hidden" numbers on each page etched in various trees and rocks or formed by plants or animals.

Cayden: "I want to count the animals!"

Cayden: "Look, a deer! And there is a bear, no two of them!"

Max: "Two! Rrraaarrr!!"

Cayden: "I like finding the hidden numbers! It is fun! That is my favorite part. I like counting though too."

Cayden: "I like this book a lot mom."

Parent's comments:

"Forest Bright, Forest Night" was definitely a hit with my children! Besides reading the text there are so many other fun things that you can do with this book from counting and naming the animals to finding the hidden numbers and hidden animals. It is also a great introduction to teaching children about how some animals sleep during the night whereas other animals are out and about during that time. The illustrations are great and definitely held both of my children's interest. Any child who enjoys counting and animals will love this book!