Check out the copyright information - another spiral! But it's not just the information that is compelling, Krommes' artwork is stunning and a true complement to Sidman's writing.

)' I am constantly amazed at the information I learn in children's books. In the appendix of the book more information is provided about spirals, including the fact that some plants display a pattern which Sidman describes as, 'the Fibonacci sequence, in which each number is the sum of the two numbers preceding it (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, 34. A tornado or an ocean wave is a powerful spiral that moves. A hedgehog rolls up in a tight spiral to protect itself - who would want to tangle with all those quills? The hard spirals of certain ferns are able to push up through the soil and then change into feathery fronds. Who knew that spirals could be so fascinating and have so many different uses - spirals that protect and grow and move. I am not a sharp-eyed observer of nature, but writers and illustrators like Sidman and Krommes may inspire me to change my ways. The detail in these illustrations is extraordinary. Swirl by Swirl: Spirals in Nature is yet another children's picture book by Joyce Sidman packed with intriguing information about the natural world and beautifully illustrated by Beth Krommes employing scratchboard art of which she is a master. I learned quite a few things I hadn’t know until reading them in this book, and it also got me thinking about this spiral pattern.Īlso, anyone who finds the spiral shape attractive or compelling in any way will find a lot here to love. This is the best kind of nature & science book: it teaches in a way that is so interesting.

And for older kids there is a wonderful two page spread at the end of the book, which both reviews and expands on the information in the book proper. the words used are soothing enough so that this could even work as a bedtime story! The slightly older child will love finding the smaller pictures within pictures that give more specific examples, which are named. The simple text information and big pictures can appeal to the youngest child. I love how this can be read on so many different levels to and by so many ages of kids. This goes for individual animals (and animal parts and postures), individual plants, ocean waves, clouds, and entire galaxies. Fascinating scientific information about how spirals are so prevalent in nature.

Swirl by swirl spirals in nature