One stormy day, a strong wind rages through the forest, causing an old oak tree to bend and sway. Lightning strikes; the tree crashes to the ground. Now it’s a giant log.

A porcupine moves in, as do spiders, termites, pill bugs, centipedes, and slugs. The chewing, pecking, boring, and tunneling of many animals and insects make the log spongy. So, after several years the log falls apart, forcing the creatures to find new homes.

The rotting log becomes a rich layer of black earth, under which an acorn lays buried. Then, one day, an oak seedling sprouts from the acorn. It grows and grows and grows . . . until a new oak tree stands in the forest.

In this fascinating book, author Wendy Pfeffer and illustrator Robin Brickman collaborate to introduce readers to the life cycle of a tree. The informative, lyrical text is complemented by stunning, three-dimensional paper sculptures that showcase the forest ecosystem, inspiring readers to take a closer look at the trees—and logs—in their own backyards.

From the dust jacket