When a Tree Falls

The perfect read for exploring nature with children, this beautiful nonfiction picture book offers an awe-inspiring look at the forest’s life cycle.

A tree suns and sways in the forest. She is a place to grow, to rest, and to shelter. But what happens when a tree falls? The answer will make your heart soar. In this lyrical picture book, explore how the extraordinary nurse log provides a nutrient-rich space for new seedlings, shelters small animals, hosts different plant species, and, most profoundly, nurtures a new tree in the process, renewing the cycle of life. Young readers will be amazed by the nurse log’s resilience and its powerful connection to the forest’s past, present, and future.

Every organism in the forest ecosystem is connected. This fascinating picture book powerfully illustrates how the end of one life in the forest can be the beginning of another. When a Tree Falls is a reminder of the wondrous ecosystems in our own backyards and the wild forest beauty we may discover by looking closely. It is ideal for families who enjoy being in nature. The forest life is rendered with such richness and detail that it invites readers to immerse themselves in the endlessly inspiring natural world.