Looking Closely Through the Forest

Look closely. Look very closely. Is it ? flakes of oatmeal? A moldy orange? Give up? Just turn the page and, lo and behold, it's a spotted toadstool! See what looks like gummy candy revealed as a millipede, a woolly scarf as frost on leaves, and many more surprises when you look closely through the forest. The Looking Closely series takes children on a journey of discovery through four environments -- the forest, the shore, the desert and the garden. Frank Serafini's camera lens enlarges each world through the magic of close-up photography. Young eyes will rediscover our planet as a place of beauty, mystery and delight. Readers are first challenged to guess the identity of each closeup photograph. The next page reveals the entire photograph of the plant, animal or natural object accompanied by a simple but detailed description of the habitat. By inspiring children to ask questions and use their imaginations, these books help build problem-solving skills. They also encourage curiosity about environments that, examined this closely, are full of unexpected wonders.

Frank Serafini is an educator and avid nature photographer whose work has taken him from Fiji to Mexico, from Canada to Australia. Previously a primary schoolteacher, Frank is now Associate Professor of Children's Literature and Literacy Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.

Frank Serafini is an educator and avid nature photographer whose work has taken him from Fiji to Mexico, from Canada to Australia. Previously a primary schoolteacher, Frank is now Associate Professor of Children's Literature and Literacy Education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.