When a Tree Falls is a lyrical and awe-inspiring exploration of the forest life cycle—revealing how endings in nature often become beginnings.
When a tree sways and stands tall, she offers shade, shelter, and rest. But when she falls, her story is far from over. Young readers discover the remarkable role of a nurse log—a fallen tree that becomes a nutrient-rich home for seedlings, fungi, mosses, insects, and small animals, and ultimately helps nurture new trees into life.
Blending poetic storytelling with accurate science, this beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book shows how every organism in a forest is connected. Through the quiet power of the nurse log, children learn about resilience, renewal, and the deep relationships linking the forest’s past, present, and future.
Why we love it
- Explains forest ecology through a gentle, meaningful story
- Introduces the concept of nurse logs and life cycles
- Encourages close observation and systems thinking
- Lush illustrations invite slow, immersive reading
Great for
- Preschool and early elementary readers
- Nature-loving families and forest explorers
- Classrooms, homeschoolers, and STEM learning
- Thoughtful gifts centered on environmental awareness
A beautiful reminder that in nature, nothing is wasted—and even a fallen tree has the power to help the forest grow again 🌲📘
