"Finn and Skip are on an adventure vacation, cycling through the towering rainforests of central America, when they notice that large patches of trees seem to have disappeared. The plot thickens when an unexpected guest arrives at their campsite--a lonely baby tapir. They feed their new friend, but the next morning they wake up to even more hungry animals. It seems something is afoot in the forest, and Finn and Skip set out to discover what's going on"-- - (Baker & Taylor)

Introduce children to the importance of protecting the environment with this illustrated story book about deforestation and its effect on animals.
 
 

Join fisherman Finn and his dog, Skip, on their second adventure
in this illustrated story book for young children, which teaches them about deforestation and what they can do to help.
 
Finn and Skip are on an adventure vacation, cycling through the towering rainforests of central America, when they notice that large patches of trees seem to have disappeared. The plot thickens when an unexpected guest arrives at their campsite—a lonely baby tapir. They feed their new friend, but the next morning they wake up to even more hungry animals. It seems something is afoot in the forest, and Finn and Skip set out to discover what’s going on...

This book is the ideal introduction to the environmental concerns facing our forests, featuring colorful illustrations and an engaging, light-hearted storyline, drawn and written by Brendan Kearney. Grown-ups and children will enjoy reading together and following the story of Finn and Skip, with its ups and downs, and pointing out all the different animals that Finn meets in the rainforest. They’ll also learn about how using ethical products can help save the animals.
With its fun, quirky illustrations, Forest is the perfect addition to a child’s bookshelf. Young readers will love this picture book with a timely and ultimately uplifting message about protecting the world around us. - (Penguin Putnam)

Brendan Kearney is a children’s book illustrator and author represented by Plum Pudding Illustration agency. His first picture book Musical Mac was published in 2019. He is also the illustrator of the popular Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast book series written by Josh Funk. This is Brendan’s second book with DK. - (Penguin Putnam)

Booklist Reviews

Fisherman Finn and his dog, Skip, set off on an adventure through a lush, tropical rain forest. They are amazed by the life and energy of the experience until they suddenly come to an area where all the trees have been chopped down. They help the newly homeless animals find shelter in a protected part of the forest, and they vow to help further by reusing and recycling, doing more thoughtful shopping, and supporting ecological nonprofits. Kearney uses color quite effectively to support the book's themes, with vibrant jades of the rain forest joltingly giving way to bland taupe, treeless fields and hot-orange flames. The plot and characters, while adorably drawn, are thin, certainly; but that is only because the book is so bold and overt in its mission. Much in the way that Finn and Skip's first adventure, Fish (2020), is about the dangers of water pollution, Forest has a clear goal to alert children about the ecological issue of deforestation and its negative effects, and to encourage children's productive involvement in helping the world become a better place. Grades K-3. Copyright 2022 Booklist Reviews.

Publishers Weekly Reviews

Kearney revisits ecological themes in this earnest follow-up to Fish. "Let our adventure begin!" declares white-bearded, pale-skinned fisherman Finn as he and dog Skip disembark their ship and venture toward an animal-populated shore. The rainforest landscape the two cycle toward is idyllic ("There is life wherever you look!" Finn shouts as the two sail over a waterfall)—until they stumble upon a barren clear-cut area. Offering to aid a young solo tapir and other animals displaced by deforestation, Finn travels forth only to discover the land aflame. Abruptly changing tone, the book takes on an instructional feel: two firefighters explain that trees are being cleared to make consumables, after which the land will be used for farming, but that everyone can help protect the rainforest in small ways (recycle, look for the FSC logo, support nonprofits). After successfully depositing his charges in a protected area, Finn heads home, enlightened. Kearney's patterned forest graphics and earthy color palette give the book a contemporary vibe that suits its overt eco-message. Ages 3–5. (Feb.)