WILD & WONDERFUL WEDNESDAY: Everyone Starts Small by Liz Garton Scanlon & Dominique Ramsey
ABOUT THE BOOK
Sun and Grass, Water and Tree, Fire and Rain—nature’s cycle of creation unfolds in a compelling lyrical text and striking illustrations.
Sun grows beams
and Grass grows blades
and Cloud cannot contain herself.
Spring rains change Water from a tumbling creek to a roaring river and bring Tree nutrients it needs to stretch toward the sky. As Sun’s rays intensify, the sprouts and fruits and insects of the forest grow and bloom and develop, all working together in harmony. Even Fire, whose work causes Tree to ache from the inside, brings opportunity for the next generation of flora and fauna. Paired with the vivid, organic imagery of Dominique Ramsey, Liz Garton Scanlon’s poetic tribute to our planet’s resilience is a resonant story of life, death, and regeneration.
REVIEW
Combining Scanlan's lovely poetry and Ramsey's stunning digital art, Everyone Starts Small celebrates the wonders of natural growth. Starting with seeds, sun, and cloud, the text highlights how each of them grows. The sun releases beams, seeds become grass, flowers, and trees, and wisps become clouds. Both text and art highlight the remarkable way that nature grows and spreads, 'from roots to branches, from bark to buds'. I'd have to agree with the author. It is pretty incredible. The clean lines and crisp colors of the art make for distinctive, attractive illustrations. And I've never seen cuter ants. But the arrival of fire changes things as the wind blows and things get drier and drier. The fire blazes it's way cross country until the rain arrives to put it out. Giving the tree, rain, and fire voices provides great imagery. And yet, despite the damage, life carries on, new plants grow and eventually rebuilds the natural world. The book provides a lovely, simple overview of a complex process that provides hope when destruction comes. The author's note points out that ecosystems are interconnected and need to be appropriately treated by humans, especially after 'environmental traumas' such as fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. She recommends some organizations that children can investigate if they want to get more involved.
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