Pamela Freeman (author) and Liz Anelli (illustrator), Seed to Sky: Life in the Daintree, Walker Books Australia, April 2024, 32 pp., RRP $26.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781760653750
Seed to Sky is another beautiful title in the Walker Books’ “Nature Storybooks” collection, by the award-winning duo – author, Pamela Freeman, and illustrator, Liz Anelli. It is a factual text about the magnificent array of fauna and flora of the Daintree Rainforest of northern Australia.
In illustrated non-fiction picture book format, it tells the story of a bull kauri conifer’s life journey from germination on the Daintree Rainforest floor 200 years ago, to sapling, and eventually a present-day mature tree, above the tree canopy. Interesting facts about the many species of Daintree birds, insects, lizards, and other creatures are woven into the story.
The text is cleverly organised along two differing language styles, making this book relevant to a wide age range. Descriptive, lyrical, narrative style passages masterfully conjure vivid imagery and tell short engaging anecdotes suited for younger kids. More specific formal facts, written in informative language, are on each double spread page too.
Anelli’s detailed, accurate illustrations of the abundant fauna and flora of the Daintree Rainforest fill the pages, adding rich meaning to the text and capturing the idyllic rainforest scenery of the Daintree. I was particularly taken with the images’ variety of colours and patterns that attract the eye, as well as their depth of perspective.
Seed to Sky is a delightful representation of the Daintree Rainforest for nature lovers aged 5 upwards.
Reviewed by Barbara Swartz
