Fifteen poems explore close encounters with animals and choosing to respond tenderly.

Whether its helping a hummingbird escape, respecting a bears habitat, admiring a herons beauty, or giving way to ants at a picnic, the human response in these poems is to do no harm, and to help whenever possible. The poems follow a seasonal progression, ending with a final poem that imagines where each animal might be on a winter night.

Inspired by personal experiences, Nicholas Ruddocks poems are simply written, with a pleasing rhyme, and fun to read aloud. In the spirit of the text, Ashley Barrons cut-paper collage illustrations portray each creature with respectful realism, in environments ranging from rural and wild to urban and suburban.

A delightful dip into poetry for young animal lovers!