The Forest in the Tree

ABBEY'S BOOKSELLER PICK ----- This is the latest in the excellent 'Small Friends Books' which aim to share with youngsters the importance and beauty of the microscopic world. First there's a simple story told by a glomus fungus, from its beginnings as a spore on the forest floor, through to its association with other microcreatures and a particular tree (in this case a Theobroma, or cacao tree) and then an entire forest community. This is followed by a section on the science behind the story, which goes into much more detail. The illustrations are high quality depictions of the players and connections underground and in the factual section a mix of photographs, drawings and diagrams. A fabulous book that uncovers some of the mysteries of the plant/fungi world, and does so with wonder and deep knowledge! Lindy Jones

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