Book Reviews for Earth and Me: Our Family Tree

Spectacular double-page paintings and a poetic, cautionary text celebrate the diversity of creatures living in the world’s many habitats and express the hope that nature’s wonders can be protected in the future. Pairs of animals discuss the beauty and distinction of their homes. Among them are a crane and a hummingbird gliding through the sky, a blue whale and a bright pink octopus drifting in the bubbly ocean, a salmon heavy with eggs, an agile frog splashing in the river, and a mountain lion and a longhorn sheep confronting one another on a snowy peak. Other venues are a lake, volcano, woodland, rain forest, wetlands, grassland, polar region, desert, town (a cat and a dog converse), and school, where a teacher tells a child that animals have much to tell us about life. The writing is stately and serious and befits the ecological theme. The realistic artwork is beautifully detailed, richly colored, and dramatic, using a variety of perspectives. Altogether, this earnest title should inspire an interest in and respect for nature.

— School Library Journal (April 2002)

J. Patrick Lewis has written a trilogy of books about humans and our relationship with nature. His beautiful poetry is accompanied by illustrations from Christopher Canyon that truly inspires the desire to be one with nature. This book is a journey with many different creatures. Each double-paged illustration includes a duet of voices that describe places throughout the world. The deep, dark ocean holds an enormous whale that lives by eating tiny krill. A bright pink octopus accompanies the whale and notes, that despite the whales great size, he is but a tiny speck in the vast ocean. A slow and careful turtle never misses anything around him, while the dragonfly skims quickly across the lake, but both can reflect on the beauty of their home. Page after page unfolds with scenes from nature throughout the world. The blend of words and illustrations are a perfect match, nature’s wonders never looked better.

— Missouri State Univ. Library Review – Dea Borneman – October 2005

A series of conversations between various pairs of animals who share the same habitats introduces the web of life, the concept that all of life is connected and that the world belongs to not one species, but to all. A vast array of creatures from beetles to humans celebrates nature’s diversity. Implicit in the lyrical text is a deep respect and reverence, Lewis’ gentle wisdom speaks clearly: No one can teach you everything, but you can learn something from every thing in nature. Christopher Canyon’s dramatic paintings will wow young readers with ultra-close-up perspective, accurate, intricate detail and vibrant color.

— Lynne Burke (syndicated columnist) – April 2002

— Ohioana Quarterly – Wendy Boortz (Spring 2003)

Here is the third and final title in Dawn Publications’ re-issue of an exemplary Japanese Earth series written by J. Patrick Lewis and enhanced by Christopher Canyon’s careful illustrations. Children will enjoy learning about earth history from this trilogy, which explains basic data in simplified form, without demeaning children’s intelligence. Teachers and parents alike will rely on these three books to explain nature’s beginnings and our world today. Highly recommenced.

— Hutton Book-Review Services – Linda Hutton – April 2002

Earth & Me, Our Family Tree, by J. Patrick Lewis, illustrated by Christopher Canyon, demonstrates the interconnectedness of earth’s diverse habitats in a remarkable fashion. Feeling like a passenger aboard a magical flying carpet, the reader is whisked around the world from one ecosystem to another, while listening in to the words of animals honoring the distinction of their homes and lives. In the sky, crane says to hummingbird, “Wind-whisperer, the sky is lent to all of earth’s creatures only for a short time.” The hummingbird responds, “You are a wise bird, Pond Walker.” For the sea, whale and octopus; for the lake, turtle and dragonfly; for the rain forest, gorilla and snake. And for the grassland, elephant says to giraffe, “How lucky for you to be able to see to the ends of the lush grasslands.” Giraffe answers, “. . . those ears of yours can hear two old blades of saw grass gossiping at twilight.” Spectacular, double-page paintings portray the majesty of each animal in dramatic fashion through varying perspectives. This Nevada City based publisher is quickly gaining recognition for its excellent ecology-themed books. (Dawn Publications)

— California Kids! – Connie Goldsmith (June 2002)

In Earth & Me – Our Family Tree: Nature’s Creatures, J. Patrick Lewis introduces the beauty of the planet’s inhabitants with the help of dramatic, textured illustrations by Christopher Canyon. Ages 4 to 10.

— Mothering (Nov./Dec. 2002)

Earth and Me: Our Family Tree is a lyrical tour of the earth and its inhabitants. The stunning illustrations by Christopher Canyon complement the gentle flow of the verse. This is a book that adults will enjoy reading as much as the children. We rate this four hearts.

— Heartstrings (www.heartlandreviews.com) – Judy Schuler (August 2002)

With the same harmony and rhythm found in patterns of nature, poet J. Patrick Lewis weaves a succulent story continuity. Through calming conversations between creatures such as beetle, bear, mouse and mountain lion, Lewis voice is serene and magical. The text sings, and Canyon’s rich, powerful art explodes with color and texture.

— Rebecca Kai Datlich, poet & author

Christopher’s evocative illustrations bring to life this dialogue between the creatures living in an interdependent ecosystem.

— Lynne Cherry, author of The Great Kapok Tree