Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World

From the perspective of little Jacky the pine cone, author and meteorologist Johanna Wagstaffe takes readers through the life cycle of a pine tree: readers journey from a calm and balanced ecosystem through a weather event which causes a wildfire. Wagstaffe discusses various aspects of human intervention to control the spread of wildfires and the impact of wildfires on community safety.

The storyline of Jacky the pine cone is identifiable on the page by the large font text. Younger readers may choose to experience the book simply through this lens. A slightly smaller and separate, yet similar, font is used for the information sidebars which contain the more fact-laden and scientific text. The sidebars are not overtly outlined in the illustrations, at times fitting within visual elements of the illustrations, such as clouds or tree foliage. In addition to the narrative text, there is a lot going on visually on each page with illustrations and accompanying labels of animals found in the forest ecosystem, and so I would have preferred a more evident visual cue to separate and delineate the sidebars.

Julie McLaughlin’s illustrations are action-packed, charming, and vibrantly coloured. There is a well-adjusted mixture of cartoonish character elements and scientific detail that is sure to draw in and retain young readers’ attention. On a first read, the busy pages felt overwhelming; however, after re-reading the book (as information books often get read and re-read or even browsed through out of order), I appreciated having an abundance of visual details and information to consider.

Wagstaffe references the need to learn more from Indigenous Peoples about land stewardship, but regrettably she does not go into any detail about what this might entail or how to go about this relationship-building. This element felt tacked on instead of properly explored. Teachers and teacher-librarians using this book with students would benefit from further expansion on this idea in the text.

Other non-fiction features such as the ‘Fact Page’ and ‘Glossary’ provide additional information for curious young minds. Wagstaffe’s ‘Author’s Note’ at the back enhanced the personable feel to the book and identifies for readers why this topic is individually meaningful to her.

Little Pine Cone: Wildfires and the Natural World would make an entertaining and informative addition to any school library collection or classroom. This science-based book is accessible and appropriate for primary-aged readers.