A captivating array of mixed-media artwork illustrates the often intangible emotional and physical bonds that exist throughout nature, using science to send a message to children that they are never truly alone. Plants and herbs that soothe and nourish, pets that comfort, sunshine, soil, roots, and microorganisms all intersect in a series of dioramas. Close-ups of detailed paintings, cut-outs, and origami artwork are paired with a colorful community of boys and girls.

PreS-Gr 2-Fans of the author/illustrator duo's previous books, You Are Stardust and Wild Ideas, will be thrilled by this new publication that focuses on the connections that exist within the natural world. From cherubic paper-cutout children to origami boats made of book pages, the dioramas are extraordinarily rich in depth and texture. One could spend hours poring over them and discovering new details. The varied plant and animal life connect different page spreads, creating a clever puzzle. Readers can peruse the book to find matching elements. For example, one page features the large head of a deer and the edge of a building. A later spread features the same deer and building, but this time they are tiny in the corner as the illustration is from a more distant perspective of the landscape. The text offers scientific tidbits such as "Your face is home to wee little cleaning mites who evolved from mites that lived on the faces of your relatives." The language has a tone heavy in emotional idealism, framed to offer reassurance that everyone is linked to all of the creatures in the wide world. An endnote from the author explains her inspiration and includes some additional explanation related to the scientific information within the text. VERDICT The fabulous artwork sparks wonder while the quirky text inspires mindfulness and environmental awareness.-Alyssa Annico, Youngstown State University, OH