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A Log's Life
An informative and creative tale about a fallen oak tree in the forest, teaching young readers about the various purposes it serves in the ecosystem during every step of its life cycle.
One stormy day a strong wind rages through the forest, causing an old oak tree to bend and sway. Lightning strikes; the tree crashes to the ground. Now it’s a giant log.
In this fascinating book, author Wendy Pfeffer and illustrator Robin Brickman introduce readers to they life cycle of a tree. The informative, lyrical text is complemented by stunning, three-dimensional paper sculptures that showcase the forest ecosystem, inspiring readers to take a close look at the trees—and logs—in their own backyards.
One stormy day a strong wind rages through the forest, causing an old oak tree to bend and sway. Lightning strikes; the tree crashes to the ground. Now it’s a giant log.
In this fascinating book, author Wendy Pfeffer and illustrator Robin Brickman introduce readers to they life cycle of a tree. The informative, lyrical text is complemented by stunning, three-dimensional paper sculptures that showcase the forest ecosystem, inspiring readers to take a close look at the trees—and logs—in their own backyards.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Wendy Pfeffer
76 books27 followersWendy Pfeffer is an award winning author of many children’s books. A former teacher and nursery school director, Mrs. Pfeffer lives in Pennington, New Jersey. In addition to writing, she continues to teach writing and visit schools to share her work.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 2, 2023
Wendy Pfeffer's A Log's Life, which can basically be described as the biography of a log, is informative and engaging, with a text that, while detailed and involved, also manages to be both fascinating and compelling. Although the narrative flows well and generally reads easily, I would still and nevertheless consider A Log's Life as more suitable for older children (perhaps above the age of seven or so), primarily due to its length and the fact that some of the vocabulary used is rather advanced (a bit of a glossary or an author's note with additional ecological data and information would also have been a great added bonus and would definitely have increased the educational potential of A Log's Life). I especially love and appreciate how Pfeffer features and describes the never-ending, always repeating, constantly turning and moving circle of nature and life, how forest ecology is never stagnant. And therefore, a massive and imposing oak tree felled and destroyed by a lightning strike becomes a log on the forest floor and home/nourishment to and for many different plant and animal species. An about ten or so years later, the erstwhile rotting log has again become earth; the cycle of life begins anew, with an acorn from another oak tree falling into the humus heavy rich soil to become, to germinate into another oak tree (which might well have the same life story).
The accompanying illustrations by Robin Brickman are both amazing and are actually and truly quite special. When I first perused A Log's Life, I was with a bit of personal discomfort wondering wether they were either photographs, or photographed displays of found natural objects and preserved animal and plant specimens (which would have been quite a no-no for me). However, in the note from the illustrator, Brickman states that he/she made all of the collage illustrations by cutting, painting, sculpting and gluing together pieces of watercolour paper; the illustrations thus consist only of painted paper and glue. And while, of course, paper does come from trees, I think that it was and is both environmentally and ecologically sensitive and responsible that no found objects, no preserved and/or mounted animal or plant specimens have been used in Robin Brickman's colourful and descriptive collages.
The accompanying illustrations by Robin Brickman are both amazing and are actually and truly quite special. When I first perused A Log's Life, I was with a bit of personal discomfort wondering wether they were either photographs, or photographed displays of found natural objects and preserved animal and plant specimens (which would have been quite a no-no for me). However, in the note from the illustrator, Brickman states that he/she made all of the collage illustrations by cutting, painting, sculpting and gluing together pieces of watercolour paper; the illustrations thus consist only of painted paper and glue. And while, of course, paper does come from trees, I think that it was and is both environmentally and ecologically sensitive and responsible that no found objects, no preserved and/or mounted animal or plant specimens have been used in Robin Brickman's colourful and descriptive collages.
May 3, 2011
Outstanding in every way!
The illustrations are remarkable. The illustrator created them from watercolor, and cutting, pasting, sculpting and then gluing them. Had I not known that, I’d have assumed real leaves and some other real forest material was used. The pictures are so realistic, I could literally imagine the odor of the mulch and other forest life. Wonderful depictions of plants and animals too.
I have this on my non-fiction and nature shelves, even though the account is just an example of what might occur in the circle of life of a tree; that part is actually fiction.
One terrific thing about this book is that children of many ages with enjoy it, and younger children will learn many new words because the vocabulary is definitely advanced. But, I definitely wouldn’t limit reading this to children who will already be familiar with all the words.
It’s a perfect book for seeing the circle of life of a tree and log and tree and… and of all the insects, other animals, and plants that grow and thrive at all stages of its life and death and life again.
It’s a gorgeous book and it’s very informative. It educates in a manner that most should find very interesting.
Much thanks to Goodreads’ friend Gundula for alerting me to this stellar book!
4 ½ stars
The illustrations are remarkable. The illustrator created them from watercolor, and cutting, pasting, sculpting and then gluing them. Had I not known that, I’d have assumed real leaves and some other real forest material was used. The pictures are so realistic, I could literally imagine the odor of the mulch and other forest life. Wonderful depictions of plants and animals too.
I have this on my non-fiction and nature shelves, even though the account is just an example of what might occur in the circle of life of a tree; that part is actually fiction.
One terrific thing about this book is that children of many ages with enjoy it, and younger children will learn many new words because the vocabulary is definitely advanced. But, I definitely wouldn’t limit reading this to children who will already be familiar with all the words.
It’s a perfect book for seeing the circle of life of a tree and log and tree and… and of all the insects, other animals, and plants that grow and thrive at all stages of its life and death and life again.
It’s a gorgeous book and it’s very informative. It educates in a manner that most should find very interesting.
Much thanks to Goodreads’ friend Gundula for alerting me to this stellar book!
4 ½ stars
September 13, 2012
I appreciated this book perhaps more than I avidly enjoyed it, but I decided to award it four stars. First, I think the illustrations are marvelous! I love how life-like many of them looked--I was glad to read the illustrator's note where she explained her artistic process because otherwise I am sure I would have thought she used some real leaves, bark, etc. for the illustrations. Very impressive! I also think the story does a good job of showing all the different ways a tree can provide food and shelter for creatures, and that just because a tree falls, its usefulness is not over. I do think "A Tree's Life" might have been a more apt title since it wasn't *just* about a log, though I do think that "A Log's Life" makes it clear this is not just another book about trees--I appreciated the story's focus on a fallen log, and I think it is something that will appeal to children.
February 3, 2020
With an informative text from Wendy Pfeffer, a prolific picture-book author with many scientific and ecological titles under her belt, and lovely collage art from Robin Brickman, A Log's Life manages to be both educational and engaging, presenting the tale of a tree's death and decay, in the form of a fallen log, and the new arboreal life that springs up in its place, as it disintegrates. A host of species, from various insects to a porcupine, live off the log as it decays, demonstrating the importance of this seemingly "dead" phase of a tree's life-cycle, while the rich earth that comes from its final disintegration provides the material that a fallen acorn needs to eventually sprout.
Although I don't know that I would list her as one of my favorite authors, when it comes to children's non-fiction, I have come to think of Wendy Pfeffer as a very dependable contributor to the field. I have enjoyed her exploration of the seasons ( A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox , We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season ), as well as various ecosystems ( Life in a Coral Reef ), and A Log's Life is another one to add to the list of her appealing non-fiction selections. The central idea, in which the life cycles of various species are all tied together through their use of and residence in a tree (and then a log), is well communicated. The artwork, which sometimes seems like it must include actual leaves, and other natural specimens, is created entirely from paper which has been cut, painted and sculpted. Its effect is to place the reader right into the scene being discussed, making the text even stronger than it would otherwise have been.
In short, this is a picture-book that works, and I recommend it to all young nature lovers and would-be ecologists, who will delight in its visual detail, and possibly learn a little bit about an important aspect of a woodland habitat.
Although I don't know that I would list her as one of my favorite authors, when it comes to children's non-fiction, I have come to think of Wendy Pfeffer as a very dependable contributor to the field. I have enjoyed her exploration of the seasons ( A New Beginning: Celebrating the Spring Equinox , We Gather Together: Celebrating the Harvest Season ), as well as various ecosystems ( Life in a Coral Reef ), and A Log's Life is another one to add to the list of her appealing non-fiction selections. The central idea, in which the life cycles of various species are all tied together through their use of and residence in a tree (and then a log), is well communicated. The artwork, which sometimes seems like it must include actual leaves, and other natural specimens, is created entirely from paper which has been cut, painted and sculpted. Its effect is to place the reader right into the scene being discussed, making the text even stronger than it would otherwise have been.
In short, this is a picture-book that works, and I recommend it to all young nature lovers and would-be ecologists, who will delight in its visual detail, and possibly learn a little bit about an important aspect of a woodland habitat.
May 25, 2012
This is an very interesting and educational story about the cycle of life of a tree. The illustrations are amazing and I thought it was impressive that the illustrator, Robin Brickman, notes that she made the illustrations by cutting, painting, sculpting, and then gluing pieces of watercolor paper together. She goes on to say that there are no found objects or real or preserved specimens in the artwork. This makes the pictures all the more impressive because of how detailed and realistic they appear.
We've read several books about the life cycle of a tree, including The Grand Old Tree by Mary Newell DePalma, The Gift of the Tree by Alvin R. Tresselt, Once There Was a Tree by Natalia Romanova, and The Magic School Bus Meets The Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition by Linda Ward Beech, but this book probably has the best illustrations of them all. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
This story was selected as one of the books for the September 2012 - Ecosystems reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
We've read several books about the life cycle of a tree, including The Grand Old Tree by Mary Newell DePalma, The Gift of the Tree by Alvin R. Tresselt, Once There Was a Tree by Natalia Romanova, and The Magic School Bus Meets The Rot Squad: A Book About Decomposition by Linda Ward Beech, but this book probably has the best illustrations of them all. We really enjoyed reading this book together.
This story was selected as one of the books for the September 2012 - Ecosystems reads at the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.
September 17, 2012
This is a nicely illustrated short picture book about the "life-cycle" of a habitat, namely a fallen log. The story begins while the log is still a part of a living tree. Squirrels live in it. Birds and insects hunt for food in it. Then a storm comes and uproots the tree, and the description begins on the life within the fallen log until it crumbles and turns into dirt. The cycle continues with a seed starting a new tree and, eventually, a new storm.
I love the circle-of-life theme. I love the illustrations. I think this is a great book for younger kids about forests and the interconnectedness of life. I particularly like that we learn about the ecosystem of the log while it still feels like a story is being told, even though there are not fictionalized characters. There is a constant sense of action in the story. It is the perfect length for "beginners" learning about forests.
I love the circle-of-life theme. I love the illustrations. I think this is a great book for younger kids about forests and the interconnectedness of life. I particularly like that we learn about the ecosystem of the log while it still feels like a story is being told, even though there are not fictionalized characters. There is a constant sense of action in the story. It is the perfect length for "beginners" learning about forests.
October 3, 2016
Wish I'd known about this book when I taught third grade...it would have been perfect for my science core.
Wonderful illustrations, made out of paper but so realistic looking. This nonfiction book details a log's life...as part of a tree and home to squirrels and other animals. Then knocked over by a thunderstorm, rotting and home to many new creatures. Then turned into soil where a new seed falls and begins to grow, becoming a huge tree. This shows how important one log can be, and how it provides shelter for a variety of plants and animals. It held all 3 of my girls' interest (ages 7, 9, and 4).
Reread in September 2016: Now I am teaching 3rd grade again and this book IS perfect for my science core as we study living and nonliving things. My students are supposed to learn about plants, animals, characteristics of living things, and learn about decomposition. This aids in a couple of those areas. My students this year absolutely loved the illustrations and were fascinated to realize how many animals are supported by a rotting log.
Wonderful illustrations, made out of paper but so realistic looking. This nonfiction book details a log's life...as part of a tree and home to squirrels and other animals. Then knocked over by a thunderstorm, rotting and home to many new creatures. Then turned into soil where a new seed falls and begins to grow, becoming a huge tree. This shows how important one log can be, and how it provides shelter for a variety of plants and animals. It held all 3 of my girls' interest (ages 7, 9, and 4).
Reread in September 2016: Now I am teaching 3rd grade again and this book IS perfect for my science core as we study living and nonliving things. My students are supposed to learn about plants, animals, characteristics of living things, and learn about decomposition. This aids in a couple of those areas. My students this year absolutely loved the illustrations and were fascinated to realize how many animals are supported by a rotting log.
June 15, 2013
I found the text mediocre, but the illustrations are amazing. Robin Brickman writing in the introduction, "I made the illustrations by cutting, painting, sculpting, and then gluing pieces of watercolor paper together. There are no found objects or real or preserved specimens in the artwork. With the exception of an occasional use of human hair, the illustrations consist only of painting paper and glue." Truly impressive.
September 15, 2012
What a great book this is for children. I wish I had known about it when I was teaching. It would have added much to the units that I taught. The information is interesting and complete. The book would attract a large age range even going up to an adult like me! The illustrations are amazing and beautiful. If you're into picture books, definitely give this book a try.
March 26, 2015
A good resource for children to discover the ecosystem surrounding a log on the forest floor. The text gets rather tedious - like reading a laundry list of insects and animals followed by what each is doing. This is very practical for a class studying this subject, but it would've been nice to include more creative use of language. Very nice illustrations.
July 30, 2012
I absolutely LOVED this book! An oak tree falls down in a storm in the forest and takes on a whole different life as a home to many plants and creatures as a log on the forest floor. Love how the author took us through the entire life the tree/log in the book.
September 28, 2016
A great book to have around to introduce kids to a cycle of nature in the forest. Awesome illustrations too! I'd like to get this one to keep on my bookshelf at work (I'm a forester), to share with kids at interpretive talks. A great choice to read during national forest week!
August 25, 2015
Good cycle of tree's life story.
March 3, 2017
Great scientific book, with some pretty great illustrations as well.
April 10, 2018
Wendy Pfeffer knows how to write great nonfiction picture books, and I think this is my favorite. Have you ever walked in the woods, and seen the transformation of fallen trees slowly decomposing into moss covered bumpy mounds of new soil? This book can bring the wonder of that process to life for your children.
If you like this book, check out the other books she has written. I find most series nonfiction books boring, repetitive, and needlessly dumbed down. Wendy Pfeffer's books are just the opposite. They are intelligent books that respect the curiosity and intelligence of her readers.
If you like this book, check out the other books she has written. I find most series nonfiction books boring, repetitive, and needlessly dumbed down. Wendy Pfeffer's books are just the opposite. They are intelligent books that respect the curiosity and intelligence of her readers.
June 14, 2019
This book has phenomenal illustrations!
We've been on a bit of a science binge recently and picked it up because we're focusing on trees. My preschoolers enjoyed it, and I love the focus on the little details about the tree's role as a home for other creatures.
We've been on a bit of a science binge recently and picked it up because we're focusing on trees. My preschoolers enjoyed it, and I love the focus on the little details about the tree's role as a home for other creatures.
March 23, 2024
A gorgeous natural-history picture book with entrancing illustrations that it's impossible not to get lost in. This would be five stars if it weren't for one (minor) factual error regarding mosses, which technically do not have roots.
May 2, 2018
A wonderful book!!! Great description of the life cycle of a tree and how it benefits its environment!!
April 1, 2019
Very fascinating book and great illustrations!...krb 4/1/19
January 26, 2021
I wish there were more mixed media type nature books like this - appealing text and illustrations
March 14, 2021
Nice illustrations. A good scientific book for kids about the life cycle of trees...
November 17, 2021
Great interactive read aloud that had led to many investigations within the kindergarten classroom- it’s part of our curriculum
January 26, 2023
The sculptures are stunning.
March 24, 2024
This is a great book to teach children about the life cycle of a tree!
November 11, 2015
This delightfully illustrated, educational book shows that there is no waste in nature.
April 19, 2017
Read for Storytime, April 19th 2017
Theme: Earth Day Stories
Theme: Earth Day Stories
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews