Forest Child - Hardcover

Kindergarten-Grade 3-The forest is a frightening place for a lost boy, full of "dark, unblinking eyes" and growling sounds, but when he rescues a rabbit from a steel trap the creatures welcome him and feed, shelter, and comfort him through the night, even sending a dove to tell his loved ones that he is safe. Banfill's full-page, bordered paintings are richly detailed and superrealistic-they bring the textures of leaves, fur, and feathers to life. The forest, at first so scary, becomes a peaceable kingdom where boy, bears, wolves, owls, and gentler beasts gather in harmony under green and shady trees. Half fantasy, half didactic lesson on being kind to animals, McGee's story fails to convince. It is neither a child's imaginative game, like Marie Hall Ets's charming In the Forest (Puffin, 1976), nor a child's realistic exploration of nature, as is Rosemary Wells's poetic and pictorial description of God's world in Forest of Dreams (Dial, 1988). This book offers impressive illustrations but leaves a confusing message as to whether nature is soft as a bunny or savage as a sharp-beaked owl.
Shirley Wilton, Ocean County College, Toms River, NJ
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.

When a boy wanders into the woods and gets lost, the animals are hostile and suspicious at first, ``mumbling, grumbling, growling low.'' But after he frees a rabbit from a hunting trap, the animals see that he can be trusted and they take care of him as though he were one of them. They bathe him, feed him, play with him, send a message to his mother that he is safe, make his bed for him, and watch over him while he sleeps. Though the story is a traditional one (making friends with the animals), McGee tells it with unusual gentleness. Banfill's beautiful illustrations (e.g., the boy reflected in the wary eyes of an owl comes to mind) enhance the magical quality of this special book. A perfect bedtime story. (Picture book. 3-7) -- Copyright ©1994, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.