Something Wonderful Reviews and Testimonials

“It’s as if one is watching a documentary narrated by English nature historian David Attenborough...A gorgeous-looking lesson that will satisfy kids and parents alike.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“A fig seed falls in the rainforest in this smart nature tale about the germination of grand wonders…With lines that evoke graphic novels, the illustrations come in gradients of green, vivifying the vibrant, varied ecosystem—and don’t miss the frog hidden on each page!” 
—Foreword Reviews

“A great choice for classroom units on life cycles, symbiosis, and rain forest ecosystems.”
—Booklist

"Impressively informative, effectively presented, Something Wonderful is an extraordinary, memorable, and unreservedly recommended addition to family, daycare center, preschool, elementary school, and community library Environmental Studies picture book collections."
—Midwest Book Review 

“When a child opens the cover of this charming book, they’ll immediately be transported to someplace wonderful … and even adults will find themselves immersed among the green foliage and trees rising from the mist.”
—National Outdoor Book Award

“By bringing children closer to nature—the complex nature of the tropics—this book both educates and delights! It is a joy for people of all ages to discover together.” 
—Peter H. Raven, U.S. National Medal of Science Recipient, Former President of the American Association for the Advancement of Science

“Wow! Matt and Nayl have hit a home run with this book. It will draw children deep into the web of life and help them discover the fascinating concept of mutualism!” 
—Chipper Wichman, President, National Tropical Botanical Garden

“Something Wonderful helps our children understand the life history of strangling figs, the most impressive tropical rainforest trees. I can’t imagine a better way to save these forests than to make children love them and all the organisms in them. Thank you, Matt Ritter and Nayl Gonzalez. And thank you to the frog!” 
—Francis Hallé, Author of Poetic Botany and In Praise of Plants, Professor, University of Montpellier, France

“From the first golden seed to the plop of the Chestnut-mandibled toucan’s poop, this book shows the mysterious and intricate entwinements and cycles of a tropical rainforest.” 
—Sharon Lovejoy, Author, Illustrator, and Recipient of the National Outdoor Book Award in Children’s Literature

“This book tells complex stories of the rainforest in beautifully clear ways.” 
—Nalini M. Nadkarni, Author of Between Earth and Sky: Our Intimate Connection to Trees