There's a Song in the Forest (pb)
by Jennifer Britton
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Pub Date Sep 09 2025 | Archive Date Oct 14 2025
Nimbus Publishing | Nimbus Publishing Limited
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Description
There's a song hidden deep in the forest
If you listen, and quiet your mind…
A gentle verse story from author and music educator Jennifer Britton (If You Could Be Anything) paired with bold, colourful, and textured mixed-media illustrations from artist Jillian Thalman, There's a Song in the Forest takes young readers on an adventure to experience the soundscape of the natural world. Along the way, readers will be introduced to a range of notes, sounds, and melodies, from "the swishing and rustle of footsteps / through the leaves" to the "snapping of twigs like a metronome" to "the boom, crash, and thrum of the waves as they drum / upon rocky sea caves out of reach."
A lively read-aloud, a celebration of the wild world, and a mindful meditation on the art of active listening, There's a Song in the Forest celebrates the music that can be found all around us.
Informative, illustrated backmatter also introduces young readers to musical terms featured in the text, like "orchestra," "metronome," and "symphony."
Available Editions
| EDITION | Paperback |
| ISBN | 9781774714034 |
| PRICE | CA$13.95 (CAD) |
| PAGES | 24 |
Available on NetGalley
Average rating from 7 members
Featured Reviews
Carolyn C, Librarian
I loved the beautiful cut paper/collage illustration, rhythmic verse, and illustrative foreshadowing through borders. It reminded me a bit of the way Jan Brett uses borders to foreshadow events in her illustrations. The beauty of nature and the healing that we can get from spending time outside is described through musical terms, and it's true that animals and insects do have a music of their own.
At the end of the book, the author points out the music vocabulary that was used, and adds a picture and definition. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for schools and libraries.
We enjoyed this book! We love nature and hiking so this was right up our alley. There were times it was hard to keep my 5 year old focused, but I enjoyed the artwork and the way the words painted a beautiful visual. It was an easy and quick read which is great in our house hold, but also still meaningful!
John L, Reviewer
A quickly-read love letter to the noises of the forest, from the tuneful birds to the crashing of waves on rocks if the woodland happens to end in a clifftop. It's a pleasant read, but not great – the rhythm of the verse narrative can really struggle at times, and I couldn't say I became a fan of the artwork. But it proves that a meditative ear can find a symphony through being still and accepting, allowing nature to sound as great as she looks. Three and a half stars.
Librarian 1896886
I would recommend this book for school libraries and for music educators and outdoor educators. I enjoyed the illustrations, and the theme that encouraged people to get out in nature and listen.
If you’re looking for books to help teach children about appreciating nature, this might be a good addition to your library. The book follows three children as they explore nature around them and learn to listen for the special music that comes from nature and wildlife. The story is told in rhyme though at times the rhymes are a stretch. Still, it makes many good observations of the many sounds all around us. I liked the illustrations which were in a paper cut out style. The book uses some big words that will likely be difficult for very young children, however it also includes a glossary of musical terms at the very end. I think this could be a good book for children aged 4-6.
Thank you to NetGalley and Nimbus Publishing for the opportunity to read this book. All opinions are my own.
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