Boreal Beauty

Kids Can Press publishes some of the most beautiful nonfiction picture books available to young readers.  The editors have such a unique ability to discover texts to publish that are interesting and insightful and written with the young reader at the forefront. They also choose the best illustrators to bring these texts to life!

The Boreal Forest by L.E. Carmichael and illustrated by Josée Bisaillon is a four season delight.  The author takes you through all of the sights, sounds and smells of this circumpolar region. She visits every country within the boreal zone as well as each season of the year to give you a complete picture of this incredibly important ecosystem to the earth. L.E. Carmichael’s lyrical descriptions of the forest and its inhabitants make way for the facts and hard science within each page.  It is a resource text you will continue to access anytime you need information about this vitally important ecosystem.

Josée Bisaillon has made her nonfiction illustrative debut in this book and WOW! Her illustrations give you a complete picture of life in the Boreal forest and soothingly take you through the seasons.  Her illustrations are not silly or cartoonish but true to life which is something my nonfiction reader truly appreciates. The best non-fiction picture books are those where these illustrations are more reflective of the subject matter when the designers choose not to use actual photographs. 

The Boreal Forest is a truly special book that will be loved for a long time and perfect for classroom and library shelves.