One Day in the Woods

One Day in the Woods by George, Jean Craighead. library edition. ISBN: 9780690047240.

It is sunrise in the Teatown Woods of New Yorks Hudson Highlands. Rebecca, a young explorer, climbs a beech tree to the canopy-the highest layer of plant life-to begin her vigil for the mysterious ovenbird. "Ill know an ovenbird," she says to herself. "Uncle Luke said its a wizard. A wizard does magic. Thats easy." During her day-long outing, Rebecca discovers that wizardry abounds in this magnificent woodland. She is enchanted by the magic of a flying squirrel, disappearing deer, and wood ducklings. But Rebecca does not know in which layer-the canopy, shrub, or field-the ovenbird lives. And the elusive bird keeps her waiting. Newbery Medalist Jean Craighead George vividly describes the beauty and symbiotic relationships present in the Northeastern Deciduous Forest. Her lyrical prose, enhanced by Gary Allens thoughtful, detailed illustrations, exquisitely captures a young girls spirit of adventure and sensitivity to nature.