The uniquely illustrated picture book A Log’s Life by Wendy Pfeffer (illustrated by Robin Brickman; Simon & Schuster, 1997) shows the interconnectedness of ecosystems through the life of an oak tree. Three-dimensional collage illustrations bring the different creatures and textures to life in the illustrations. This picture book explains the cycle of decomposition with a commanding narrative that works well for child listeners.
First the forest animals use the branches of the oak tree as its home, and other fungi and plants use the tree as a base too. After a storm sends the oak tree to the forest floor, life continues to use the oak, now a log, as a different kind of home and food source. Eventually, the decomposition process has created rich soil for a new tree to grow. The cycle format to this story feels complete and satisfying, even as we know a new story is just beginning.
Pfeffer provides a variety of examples for the types of life in and around the tree to show how life supports life. She doesn’t hesitate to let great lengths of time pass, letting the decomposition cycle transform the forest floor. Even though it takes years for the tree to decay, she concisely moves from one stage of decomposition to another stage. She uses strong vocabulary to capture the various textures the former log has, making all of the process feel tangible.
As a children’s book, A Log’s Life is pleasant to look at as well as succinct in capturing the ever-developing snapshot of one tree in one forest as it transforms into a new spot for life to develop. It is a well done story-explanation for how all the kingdoms of life connect to one another as well.