Horn Book (Wed Aug 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Amazing illustrations created entirely with pressed plants are the centerpiece of this nature guide covering the four seasons. Each image reflects an accompanying paragraph on various topics including nest building, deer rutting, and hibernation. Ahpornsiri's book provides a more advanced nature study, so this is ideally suited for upper-elementary-age readers. Appreciation of the art may inspire kids to try their own pressings. Glos.

Starred Review for Kirkus Reviews

A British-based Etsy artist known for intricate compositions with pressed flowers and leaves undertakes an exploration of seasons; her medium lends authenticity to the narrative.Spring is the first of four chapters; the topics described and depicted in double-page spreads include bird song and mating, nest building, and the life cycles of frogs and butterflies. Reading the two to three paragraphs per page is like hiking with a relative who is both knowledgeable and passionate about the outdoors. Ahpornsiri incorporates less-frequently-discussed behaviors into her discussions, such as deer rutting and a mother duck's transfer of waterproof oils to her babies to help them float. The captions are small, light, and feathery, making them a bit hard to read, but that is a minor flaw. The companionship of an adult reader for children up through age 8 would bridge the gap between the more complex (although clearly explained) concepts such as photosynthesis, prehensile tails, and deciduous trees and the captivating art that will attract a wide age range. Each animal is built into a delicate collage from precisely cut plant parts; the absence of visible outlines adds to the awe. The artist has an exquisite sense of page design, creating pleasing curves and patterns while employing plants and a palette particular to each season.A book to savor and share throughout the year, this is sure to inspire budding naturalists and crafters. (glossary, artist's note) (Nonfiction. 6-12)

School Library Journal (Tue May 01 00:00:00 CDT 2018)

Gr 2-5 A feast for the eyes. Ahpornsiri's artwork is created using leaves and flowers, intricately arranged to form owls, foxes, butterflies, branches, nests, insects, and more. The book is divided by season and describes common flora and fauna related to that time period (apparently based in a temperate climate, though that is never actually stated). Sections of headlined text such as "Butterflies & Blossoms," "In the Reeds," and "Forest Fungi" accompany the botanical collages which twist and spiral across spreads, and delicately surround the text. While solid basic information is presented about such things as the life cycle of frogs and butterflies and how and why leaves change color in autumn, the real highlight of this book is the illustrations, making the text seem slightly tacked on. Back matter consists of an author's note, photographs regarding the illustration process, and a small glossary. VERDICT A beautiful gift or coffee table book; not an essential purchase for nonfiction collections. Jenny Berggren, Longfellow Middle School, Berkeley, CA

Kirkus Reviews (Fri Oct 04 00:00:00 CDT 2024)

A British-based Etsy artist known for intricate compositions with pressed flowers and leaves undertakes an exploration of seasons; her medium lends authenticity to the narrative.Spring is the first of four chapters; the topics described and depicted in double-page spreads include bird song and mating, nest building, and the life cycles of frogs and butterflies. Reading the two to three paragraphs per page is like hiking with a relative who is both knowledgeable and passionate about the outdoors. Ahpornsiri incorporates less-frequently-discussed behaviors into her discussions, such as deer rutting and a mother duck's transfer of waterproof oils to her babies to help them float. The captions are small, light, and feathery, making them a bit hard to read, but that is a minor flaw. The companionship of an adult reader for children up through age 8 would bridge the gap between the more complex (although clearly explained) concepts such as photosynthesis, prehensile tails, and deciduous trees and the captivating art that will attract a wide age range. Each animal is built into a delicate collage from precisely cut plant parts; the absence of visible outlines adds to the awe. The artist has an exquisite sense of page design, creating pleasing curves and patterns while employing plants and a palette particular to each season.A book to savor and share throughout the year, this is sure to inspire budding naturalists and crafters. (glossary, artist's note) (Nonfiction. 6-12)

Publishers Weekly (Fri Oct 06 00:00:00 CDT 2023)

In this lovely rumination on the seasons, Ahpornsiri uses hand-pressed flowers, leaves, and stems to create intricate portraits of wild animals and their environments. Each of the book-s four sections is subdivided into paragraphs that highlight some of the changes taking place: birds building their nests and butterflies collecting nectar in the spring, the chirping of crickets and the activity of nocturnal animals in the summer, and so on. Ahpornsiri surrounds her carefully arranged tableaus with white space, providing a sense of tranquility and allowing readers to observe each delicate detail: fuzzy ferns form the antlers of deer competing for a mate in autumn, and a single rust-

ALA Booklist (Thu Mar 01 00:00:00 CST 2018)

Known internet-wide for intricate hand-pressed plant illustrations, Ahpornsiri brings her eye for the natural world to this jaunt through the four seasons. Divided into four chapters, the book unfolds in a series of transformations in flora and fauna. In the opening "Spring" section, for example, Ahpornsiri details many animals' mating rituals, from birds' predawn warbles to the spunky hare's boxing routine. "Summer" spotlights vital plant processes, including pollination and photosynthesis, which packs leaves with much-needed energy. In concluding "Autumn" and "Winter" segments, Ahpornsiri introduces migration, hibernation d their stubborn resisters (expect to see holly and robins all winter long!). Though the material applies only to mid-latitude climates, the text is lean and informative, and the illustrations are showstopping. Ahpornsiri's illustrations fashion butterflies from the flowers they frequent (such as primroses and bluebells), the red fox from coiled fern fronds and scarlet blossoms, and fungi from a kaleidoscopic range of gauzy petals. A beautiful blend of art and science, this one-of-a-kind resource is ideal for classroom use for simply reveling in the world around us.