Little Land

Inspire a love of nature in young readers with this gorgeous, simple guide—and learn how, through millennia of transformations, life and land have always found a way to begin anew, for nature-loving fans of Kate Messner’s Over and Under series. 

Do you know a little bit of land? It could be smaller than you expect. But its importance is bigger than you know. From the prehistoric past to the dramatic environmental change of right here and now, the land has countless stories to tell. You, too, are a part of the land. Listen, and you will understand what it needs to stay in balance.

A breathtaking exploration of the connections between life and land central to the past, present, and future of our planet, Little Land invites young readers to think about ways in which they engage with the environment in their own lives.

• A Bank Street College Best Children's Book 2024
• “Enthralling artwork…. Enlightening and encouraging.”
  Kirkus Reviews
• * "Quietly astounding...Sudyka works wonders in her watercolor gouache artwork, characterized by swirling stars and clouds that pass over folk-style scenes... A loving entreaty to embrace the environment through positive action."
  Booklist
• * "[An] impassioned picture-book call to action for environmental stewardship.... Sudyka’s lush spreads burst with a symphony of colors."
  The Horn Book
• "[Sudyka’s] approach is particularly compelling because it shares no unnecessary details and distills our planet’s ecological arc down to its emotional essence. The text is unadorned, so the gouache art does the heavy lifting to illustrate the interconnectedness of life on Earth with scenes of vibrant flora, fauna, and geological features moving in tandem. Innovative layouts create striking transitions."
  Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
• "Naturalistic cartoon depictions of Earth’s beginnings form the backdrop to Sudyka’s urgent call for conservation in this captivating story about planetary renewal and reciprocity."
  Publishers Weekly
• "An excellent, effective introduction to why saving the Earth is important."
  School Library Journal