Where Once There Was a Wood



Last updated Sunday, October 23, 2005

Author: Denise Fleming
Illustrator: Denise Fleming
Date of Publication:
ISBN:
Grade Level: Kindergarten    (GLCs: Click here for grade level guidelines.)
Date(s) Used: Apr. 2000

Synopsis: Inspired by events in her own backyard, award-winning author and illustrator Denise Fleming creates a poignant yet hopeful portrait of our disappearing natural environment. The last pages of the book teach children how to make a more "creature friendly" backyard, including information about what types of food, trees and flowers attract different kinds of animals. Where Once There Was a Wood also includes an informative bibliography for budding environmentalists, and suggests various projects that families can do together.

Discussion topics: To be posted soon ...

Craft ideas:
•  Draw a picture of your backyard, or of a neighborhood park. What animals have you seen there? What animals would you like to see there? Draw them.
•  Volunteers--draw a picture of an animal from the book, or cut one out from construction paper and put it in the middle of a piece of paper. Have the children color it, and draw the kinds of food or plants that would attract it.
•  For the adventurous, make a bird feeder.

*Note: These craft ideas are just suggestions. You can use them, but you don't have to use them. You can expand upon them, or add your own twist. Remember, though, that the focus of your time should not be on the development and execution of a craft; the focus should be on the read-aloud and the enjoyment of the book!