Once Upon a Forest by Pam Fong
Published by Random House Studio on February 8, 2022
ISBN: 0593380142
Pages: 40
Genres: Animals, Realistic Fiction
Format: Picture Book Fiction
Goodreads

The story of an unidentified furry animal who lives with their bird in the woods, pleasantly gardening in silence until they see smoke on the horizon and a helicopter arrive to quickly quash the danger of a forest fire. So off they go, with their bird friend and some seedlings to assess the damage. Through wordless communication, they clear the burnt trees and protect the seedlings over months of inclement weather and hungry woodland creatures, until there are new trees where the old ones burned. Going back home with their wagon, they arrive only to see a whiff of familiar smoke in the air. The reader is left to guess what they do next.

This art requires no words, the pictures are intricate and soft line drawings with color reserved for the new plant growth that appears throughout the book and adds to the gentle nature of the story. The protagonist and their bird friend are determined and single-minded in their goals. It is a story of small success and one that is both timely and a good reminder of the ways in which acts of kindness and environmental awareness can start with you. Good for anyone learning how to read a graphic novel, or for an environmentally-minded child (or adult).

Recommended for: PreK-grade 1

Reviewed by Mary Randall, Merrill Memorial Library, Yarmouth