Nature lovers and collectors of all kinds will love this high-adventure quest story about two brave and clever girls who head into the forest in search of something extraordinary. Winslow and Rosie have been building an impressive collection of natural wonders, and now it's nearly complete. With just enough space left for one final piece, the girls set off into the forest to find something extraordinary. Their journey takes them far - along the creek, across the valley, through the spruce grove and up the mountain. And while they find many extraordinary things, nothing is just the right extraordinary thing. When the girls find a deep, dark cave, they decide to venture farther than ever before. Surely, a mysterious cave must hold something extraordinary... Bestselling creator Alice Feagan's distinct cut-paper collage artwork brings this fun quest story to life and packs it with learning opportunities. The story highlights that girls can be adventurous, brave, clever and fascinated by science, and also that the natural world is a wondrous place to explore. From the detailed depictions of the girls' gear to the many portrayals of their extraordinary finds (a gemstone, dinosaur fossils, a rare woodpecker's feather), there are numerous STEM curriculum applications here. The story also offers excellent character education lessons in perseverance, resilience and teamwork.
A delightful picture book celebrating the love of nature
This beautifully-illustrated children's book introduces readers to junior naturalists Winslow and Rosie's amazing collection of natural wonders, artfully displayed in their tree house. The girls use their individual skills and teamwork to find and document some beautiful and intriguing items from the surrounding woods. Their collection is almost full, and the girls decide they need to find one more item - something extraordinary - to fill the last space on their shelves. Suitably equipped, they set out further than they've ever gone before, along the creek, through a wide valley, up to an overlook, through an old spruce grove, diving into a lake and up a mountain to a dark cave. Along the way they consider several potential items, but discount each as unsuitable for some reason. After encountering something unexpected, the girls run back to the treehouse, empty-handed. Initially disappointed, they reflect together on what they've learned and achieved, and discover something really extraordinary right under their noses.
The Collectors champions the skills of girls - teamwork, ambition, curiosity and resilience - and celebrates the joys of discovering the natural world. Author Alice Feagan's background as a children's illustrator shines through with eye-catching collage style illustrations. I particularly loved the images detailing the girls' equipment and the contents of their collection.
This is a great junior STEM title with positive gender role modelling and a fun quest-style storyline. I'd recommend it to parents and educators worldwide in support of or as a provocation to discussion around studying nature and/or a museum visit.
Sarah, 05/05/2021
