Review Detail

LITTLE BROWN NUT is an engaging look at the growth of trees from the viewpoint of a Brazil nut. The story begins with the nut falling off the tree in the fruit, getting eaten by an agouti, and then buried for keeping later. The nut is forgotten and begins to grow into a tree before it becomes a part of the rainforest. When it begins to flower, it makes its own fruit and nuts to begin the cycle again.

What I loved: This is an entertaining and educational read, told from the perspective of one seed that becomes a tree. The book includes information about how trees grow, photosynthesis, the rainforest, and the ecosystem around it. It also discusses about how people harvest these nuts as well. There is much to learn about all these varied, related topics during the course of the book. Detailed and colorful illustrations bring the text to life throughout, with animals and tree stages depicted beautifully.

The writing is very approachable and works well for young elementary school aged readers. The backmatter is a poster that begins with a fold-out continuation of the story before opening to reveal a great recap of the information learned in the book. While it is adhered to the book (so cannot be displayed independently), it still makes for plenty of fun to explore all the information together.

Final verdict: LITTLE BROWN NUT is an engaging and educational story about trees more broadly, the rainforest, and the Brazil nut tree. Recommend for children who enjoy learning about the world around them.