Perfect for introducing ecology to the kindergarten scientist. ( )

I'm going to finish off July's nonfiction reviews with an old friend and a perfect storytime read-aloud.

In the simplest of language, Sayre introduces children to the food web. Leaves fall from the trees, forming muck at the bottom of a stream. Bacteria feeds on the muck and algae grows. Bugs eat the algae and further break down the leaves and are in turn eaten by larger bugs and other predators, including small fish. Trout eat bugs and minnows and the leaves become part of the trout.

An author's note at the end gives more details on the trout life cyle and suggestions on how to preserve and protect streams. There is also a page of further resources.

Kate Endle's mixed media collage has a simple, cheerful look with lots of earth colors and swirling lines. The various creatures are clear enough to be identifiable, but still fit smoothly into the art style. The only other thing I would have liked from this book was an identification guide to some of the bugs - they're listed in the text, but it's hard to tell which is which.

Verdict: This is a great nonfiction title for fall storytimes about leaves. It would also make a good base for a science program on life cycles. Definitely one you should have in your read aloud nonfiction sections.

ISBN: 9781580891370; Published 2008 by Charlesbridge; Borrowed from the library; Purchased for the library

This book is about the ecologic fact of life. It describe the life cycle of trout. ( )

A seemingly impossible premise, "Trout are made of trees," is at the heart of this explanation of the life cycle of a trout. ( )

Through wonderful use of colorful illustrations, the Author shows the life cycle of how a simple leaf from a tree is swallowed up by crustations, then they are ate by bigger organisms, and finally are digested by trout and then are eaten by humans. Very enjoyable and easily understandable for all ages of children. ( )