The subtle, yet significant, interactions within the ecosystem are de scribed in a lighthearted manner through the adventures of five pinecones. Their journeys are inspired by the course of the water that begins as a bubbling brook in the mountains and flows into a tumultuous sea. As the pinecones are swept along by the current of the water, each one discovers a suitable place to take root. Their homes include a beautiful countryside, a deep gorge, a green valley, a river bank, and a sandy seashore. dgw

Originally published as Der Fluss in German by Minedition Bargteheide Germany, in 2008. Translated by Bernadette Watts.

A river takes a long and winding path on its way to the ocean. It begins as a humble trickle high in the moutains, and flows through a plethora of landscapes as it grows bigger. Here we witness this journey from the point of view of five little pinecones, who ride the current to find new homes. Along the way, they encounter a woodsy stream, a rushing waterfall, a marshy fork and a big-city delta. One by one, they choose to stop and stay in a particular spot, leaving the rest to continue the trip. Finally, one lone pinecone drifts out to sea, and washes up on another shore, where he begins to sprout. Perfect for introducing young children to ecology and geography, this book brings an original point of view to a little-studied subject.