Stranger+in+the+Woods

Stranger In The Woods Written and Illustrated by Carl R. Sams II and Jean Stoick __Bibliographic Information: __ Ages: 3-8 Pages: 44 Self-Published Publication Date: 2000 ISBN: 0-9671748-0-5 __About the Authors: __

Carl R. Sams and Jean Stoick are husband and wife, nature enthusiasts, and together have written several awarding winning books. They live in Milford, Michigan. Carl and Jean are both avid photographers who decided to leave their professional careers to pursue their love of wildlife. Their photographs have been represented in national and international publications including, Audubon, BBC Wildlife, Birder’s World, and, National Geographic. It was almost by accident that Carl and Jean created a children’s book. After looking through images they captured in their backyard of whitetail deers, Jean convinced Carl they should create a children’s storybook. Working together, Carl and Jean created their first children’s book //Stranger In The Woods//. //A Stranger In The Woods// is New York Times best seller and has become one of the great children's classics. They have won over 10 prestigious awards including the Mom's Choice Award, Benjamin Franklin Award/ Best Children's Picture Book, and Kind Award-National Humane Society. (The Benjamin Franklin Award recognizes excellence in independent publishing.) //Stranger In The Woods// has sold over 1.5 million books.

__Summary: __

This is a delightful story in which a variety of animals take the reader through the woods on a journey. You’ll meet many friendly, furry and feathered animals. The family of deer, the birds and the other animals decide who will be brave enough to investigate the stranger who appears in their backyard after a winter storm. The stranger turns out to be a snowman who is very welcoming: He offers the animals a carrot nose, goodies tucked in his hat and still more treats that are sprinkled around the ground. One by one the animals meet the snowman and rejoice for his generous gifts of food. The story ends with a brother and sister coming back to the snowman to replace the carrot nose, add some more bird seed in his hat and some corn on the ground. The little girl asks her brother “How long will we feed them?” “For a long time.” he replies. This is a wonderful story to explore nature, animals, photography, and human kindness.

__Review: __

//Stranger In The Woods// has amazing photography. The authors spent countless hours capturing images of wild animals such as deer, owls and squirrels to use for this story. Children who have seen snow can relate to this book- perhaps seeing animal prints in the snow or seeing many of these creatures in their own backyards. Even more, any child or adult who has built a snowman can make personal connections to this story. Making a snowman is fun - and you never know who might come visit it! For children who have never seen snow or some of these winter animals, this is a good book for them as well because they will enjoy seeing the real life photos of the animals. Additionally, //Stranger in the Woods// conveys a simple message: Humans can be kind to animals. Even more importantly, being kind can be done by doing something very simple, such as feeding wildlife in winter when food is scarce and without seeking specific rewards such as recognition.

__Analysis of a Literary Element: __

I would use //Stranger In The Woods// in my classroom to discuss the literary element of theme and for the book's use of illustrations that would captivate audiences young and old. //Stranger In The Woods// makes the perfect book to introduce a winter themes, use a on snowy day, and emphasize the nature of kindness and giving. Other ways to use this book is for sequencing the many animals in the story. The animals in the book are: blue jay, Mother Doe, fawn, owl, dove, muskrat, buck, squirrel, porcupine, rabbit, chickadee, mouse, cardinal. As an extension to the lesson students can learn more about the animals, how animals prepare for winter, their habitats, and what they eat. This book has been called “A photographic fantasy”. The real life images capture the beauty of the animals in their natural habitat. For example, the picture of the doe about to nibble on the snowman’s nose, is made more visually interesting because the picture includes a cardinal flying in for a landing for a snack of bird seed trapped in the snowman’s hat. The photography in this book highlights nature and keeps the reader engaged. 