I'm not sure if it was the author's pleasant rhyming text, or her serene watercolors, but this book gave me a peaceful, easy feeling. It's just a lovely soothing read. There are two pages at the end about the importance of forests, and the simple things we can all do to help save them.

I really enjoyed this book. It was different than anything else I've read recently. I couldn't put it down! I will keep an eye out for this author's future work!

Thanks to Netgalley and Chronicle Books for the ARC of this!

My kids are a little too old for this one, I'd recommend it more for preschool to kindergarten, a first introduction to forests. The art was very lovely though!

The watercolor illustrations in this warmhearted children's picture book filled my soul with so much joy. The inside look into all the precious animals living, hiding in plain sight, would give any child an appreciation for how a forest is much more than trees. It's a home.

Destined to be a classic.

Forest is a beautiful kids picture book. I’m no artist but I believe it’s done in watercolors and some of the picture are suitable for framing in my opinion. It’s a sweet little book meant to show kids that there’s a lot going on in the trees and that a forest is much more than just trees. It’s a great little book.

Thanks to the author and publisher for the e-arc I received via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

This picture book expresses the value of forest features in simple text and watercolor illustrations. The points are well-chosen (animals play, shelter from storms) and the pacing is slow and calm, allowing for exploration of the illustrations. The pictures themselves support the text but don't quite connect, and I didn't care for the inexpert style of some images. Still, a good volume for instilling an appreciation of nature through forest features for young picture-book readers.

Into the woods! "Forest" is a quiet introduction to the wonders of the forest for young readers. With minimalist prose and watercolor illustrations, children are introduced to some of the creatures they might see in the forest, and some of the purposes those trees serve.

The forest (broadly speaking!) is just about my favorite place, so I'm always delighted to see books encouraging young kids to explore in nature. "Forest" places an emphasis on treading softly and leaving space in nature for the animals that call it home, and I could see it either as a general book in a kindergarten library (probably not older than kindergarten; it's definitely a book for early readers) or something to read with city kids who are going to get their first exposure to real nature soon. And if it makes kids excited about the woods...I'm all for it.

Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.

Christie Matheson has written some of my favorite children's books, and this one did not disappoint. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful, and the story is simple enough for young kids to appreciate.

A cute introduction for young kids to the sights of the forest. Watercolor illustrations and simple poetry.

This would be a delightful book for a nature walk. It brings attention to all these small, yet important and beautiful details of the forest that a child or adult can and should look out for when they are in nature. This would also be a great book on empathy and learning about animals. Learning that the woods and the forest and other habitats provide homes, food, water, and shelter for animals can help everyone understand their value and why it is important to take care of them. The blurbs in the back about conservation are important and provide a great segue into a lesson, nature walk, or even a trip to the park.

A simple book with simple illustrations, almost flat, designed but traditionally painted with one single color of watercolor for each object. We can feel the water in the brush. It has a classic vibe of illustrators from my childhood of watercolor and collage that makes us feel the serenity and the wonder of the forest. It's not filled with text, but a good cadence of one sentence per page and we can almost hear the rustle of the leaves. It's a great book to inspire calm in overwhelming days and to remind us of the importance of our forests and to plant a tree.
Thank you, publisher, and Netgalley for this e-Arc.

This is a beautifully illustrated children's book which highlights the beauty and purpose of forests. There are very few words on each page, which allows the incredible watercolor paintings shine. I also appreciate that the author allowed the beauty of the forest to speak for itself and saved the "call to action" for the end of the book. This allows the book to feel light and airy. It would be the perfect book to read on Earth day!

I love this adorable children’s book. It’s watercolors are beautiful. It introduces new forest vocabulary to children, shows a variety of wildlife, and has a wonderful note in the back on habitat protection. I will definitely be adding this hardcover to my self - thank you netgalley for a digital advanced copy to review.

This was a very beautiful picture book. The watercolor illustrations are so soothing to look at and the color palette is lovely. It seems like a great way to introduce a child to some of the animals there are in forests and all of the things that they do there. It will definitely teach children new words and is also educational in that it explains the benefits forests have for people and the earth at the very end. Would definitely recommend!

The forest isn't only a place that people enjoy but it is also a place the fauna shown also live and play.
'THE FOREST IS ...
HOME!"
A wonderfully encouraging story simply illustrated by the author!
Well suited for reading WITH someone of any age, great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school or your public library!
I requested and received a temporary electronic copy on Adobe Digital Editions from Chronicle Books, Princeton Architectural Press via NetGalley. Thank you!

The illustrations in this picture book were charming and the simple bold text keeps young ones engaged and focused on specific aspects of the illustrations. A sweet message about the importance of forests.

The watercolor illustrations are gorgeous. I want to have this book for my own child to help facilitate the discussion about protecting nature.

Delightful illustrations are joined with whimsical educational journey that draws young readers into the forest, and calls on us all to look around at all the forests provide: food, shelter, calm beauty. The additional resources are a nice addition. This book, however, if it had no words at all, would still over an encoring glimpse into to the wildlife and magic found in forests. The watercolor texture, natural details and curious sense of exploration to the art all add to the celebration of trees. This book will be a nice addition to our collection of nature and tree books.

Thank you Chronicle Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an ARC of this book.

I am constantly looking for books my youngest can read with confidence and enjoy. She has several learning disabilities and hates reading on her own because it’s really hard for her. This book is perfect for her to see and enjoy. The words are big enough that she won’t feel embarrassed with using her “tools” and she loves the outdoors.

Such a wonderful short book. She loves everything we do in the first and I can’t wait to let her read this! I will definitely be buying it when it’s out.

Another beautiful book by the amazing Christie Matheson! The calming and inviting watercolor illustration provide just enough details to draw in little ones but not overwhelm them. I’d recommend this for babies - Kindergarten if used as a read aloud. Kindergarteners and 1st graders will have a great time with it as an early reader given the rhyming and low word count per page. The note at the end about the importance of forests and simple ways to “keep our forest healthy” is a lead in to discussions for Earth Day and awareness of ways we can take care of the Earth. A perfect book for fans of Kevin Henkes books like “In The Middle of Fall” and “Parade of Elephants”.