Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing - Molly Beth Griffin

Rings of Heartwood: Poems on Growing - Molly Beth GriffinIn Rings of Heartwood, twelve poems about woodland, wetland, and prairie dwellers explore different kinds of growth. A tadpole grows legs and lungs and transforms into a frog. A fern unfurls from fiddlehead to frond. A spotted fawn hides in dappled sunlight; soon its coat will grow darker and thicker, ready for winterit will never sport spots again. Molly Beth Griffins playful yet meditative lines paired with scientific facts invite readers into the

In Rings of Heartwood, twelve poems about woodland, wetland, and prairie dwellers explore different kinds of growth. A tadpole grows legs and lungs and transforms into a frog. A fern unfurls from fiddlehead to frond. A spotted fawn hides in dappled sunlight; soon its coat will grow darker and thicker, ready for winter—it will never sport spots again. Molly Beth Griffin’s playful yet meditative lines paired with scientific facts invite readers into the life cycles of plants, amphibians, crustaceans, birds, reptiles, and insects as they grow and change. Claudia McGehee’s vivid scratchboard and watercolor illustrations entice viewers to carefully examine whimsically detailed naturescapes. In words and art, Rings of Heartwood encourages readers of all ages to appreciate the challenge of change, and feel a deep kinship with the natural world. 

Molly Beth Griffin is the author of Ten Beautiful Things and Rhoda’s Rock Hunt, among many other books for young readers. She lives in Minneapolis.
Claudia McGehee is the illustrator and sometimes author of many picture books, including Begin with a Bee, Creekfinding, and My Wilderness. She lives in Iowa City, Iowa.