Book Review of Into the Thicket
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The Children’s Book Review
What to Expect: Wildlife, brotherhood, animal rescue, overcoming fears.
Written in short, simple prose passages, this lovely story teaches readers about the challenges, responsibilities, and rewards of animal rescue.
When Patrick finds an injured baby rabbit, his older brother Ben is inclined to laugh at him—after all, rabbits and other creatures get killed all the time. However, Patrick is determined to save the rabbit’s life, even if that means rushing through the GOBLIN-INFESTED thicket to reach the house of his neighbor, who runs a wildlife sanctuary. Patrick’s bravery pays off because Felice knows precisely what to do. With Patrick’s help, the two of them nurse the little rabbit through injury and sickness until it is healthy and strong enough to return to the wild. Seeing Patrick’s bravery and determination pay off, even Ben decides caring for wildlife might not be such a silly thing after all!
Patrick is a caring, courageous, and gentle, quietly doing what he knows is right, even when his brother’s teasing or his own feelings make it difficult. The softly colored artwork shows readers the magic of the natural world seen through Patrick’s eyes—both his fears and the beauty he comes to discover. The images transition from the frightening Goblins who haunt the forest of his imagination to the comforting scenes in Patrick’s backyard, where fresh greens and bright golds seem to glow with afternoon sunlight, evoking the hot, lazy magic of summer vacations spent outdoors. Creative fonts and text placement help readers feel immersed in the most dramatic moments of the story, and notes at the end of the book inform readers about how they can behave responsibly if they find an injured animal themselves.
Uplifting and touching, Into the Thicket is the perfect story for quiet, sensitive, nature-loving readers everywhere. It also serves as a great starting point for discussions about wildlife rescue and the importance of caring for our natural world, making it an ideal addition to classroom or home libraries.
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About the Author
Gail Kuhnlein published her first children’s picture book, How Happy Is a Lark?, in November 2022. This was the realization of a long-awaited dream come true. She’s been writing stories since she was young. Gail is excited to welcome children Into the Thicket, her new picture book.
Gail majored in journalism and public relations at Michigan State University. She worked in the field for over 30 years, most recently in communications at the University of Michigan’s Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology. People she met at UM were instrumental in publishing her first picture book.
She lives with her husband, Tim, just outside Ann Arbor, Michigan, where they’ve been for nearly 30 years. They adore their two adult sons, Davey and Trevor. Gail loves walks outdoors, yoga, reading, writing, photography, bird watching, meditation, travel, and music. They have the sweetest cats in the galaxy, Dexter and Libby.
For more information, visit authorgailkuhnlein.com
About the Illustrator
John Megahan’s lifelong passion for art and nature has shaped his remarkable career. Growing up, he spent countless hours outdoors exploring and sketching the natural world around him. In college, he combined his interests by studying biology and art, which led him to the field of scientific illustration — a perfect blend of his interests.
After college, he worked as a freelance illustrator, developing a large clientele that included governmental and advertising agencies, universities, publishers and more. After freelancing, John became the senior scientific illustrator at the University of Michigan’s Museum of Zoology, where he continues to work today. Alongside his illustration work, he has enjoyed teaching art and biology, inspiring others with his knowledge and enthusiasm.
John’s other children’s picture book credits include W is for Waves, An Ocean Alphabet, Thumping on Trees, and The Red Fox and Johnny Valentine’s Blue-Speckled Hound. He looks forward to creating more wildlife and nature-inspired artwork and illustrating many more picture books.
For more information, visit johnmegahan.com.
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