Review: Down in the Forest

Down in the Forest

Written by Yvonne Morrison

Illustrated by Jenny Cooper

Publication date: 2004
Publisher: Scholastic New Zealand
ISBN: 978-1-86943-596-7

Summary/Back cover:
Down in the forest,
seeking shelter from the sun,
lived a brown mother kiwi
and her little kiwi one...

By the author of A Kiwi Night Before Christmas, this charming New Zealand version of the much-loved traditional story, Over in the Meadow, is brought to life by the beautiful, vivid illustrations of Jenny Cooper.

Review:
I'm not familiar with the story that this is based on, so will be hunting it out in the near future - however, to me, the original will always be based on this book now, since I've read this one first!

Down in the Forest is a gorgeous counting story, based on the native flora and fauna of New Zealand bush - kiwi, tui, weta and tuatara feature, among other animals and plants. Written in a rhyming style and featuring increasing numbers of babies on each page, this book has beautiful pencil and water colour illustrations well-suited to showing children what New Zealand bush is like.

A lovely poetic story, that will appeal to all children who are interested in animals (is there any children who aren't into animals?!)

My rating: 4 out of 5

Review written by Bronwyn