Tree Hole Homes

Tree Hole Homes: Daytime Dens and Nighttime Nooks
by Melissa Stewart
illustrated by Amy Hevron
Random House Studio, 2022
Grades PreK-3

Tree Hole Homes asks young readers to "imagine what it would be like to live in a tree." This scientific picture book uses an inviting and lyrical writing style that carries the story through woods, fields, and rain forests where animals make their homes in tree holes. Readers will learn about the tree hole homes of fishers, tree frogs, barred owls, black bears, little brown bats, and more. Expository paragraphs offer facts and details about the featured animals and their activities both inside and outside the trees.

Bold acrylic, charcoal pencil, and digital illustrations on wood depict animals snoozing, nesting and hiding from prey inside tree holes. Budding scientists will be excited by the additional facts in the back matter about the animals.

Stewart and Hevron have succeeded in crafting a high quality and engaging science book for young readers that is both scientifically accurate and accessible to children in primary grades.  A recommended purchase as a gift book for children who love learning about nature as well as a solid addition to an elementary science classroom or library.

Visit Melissa Stewart's site to learn about how she came up with the idea for the book. There are also extensions including a video visit to the Amy Hevron's studio.