A book to help readers appreciate nature and consider the fundamentals of life. By learning and thinking about the life cycle of a variety of animals on earth, children begin to see our planet and it's creatures as one and develop a personal connection to it.

Beginning with "A lifetime for a mayfly is about one day," it presents 24 "lifetimes" such as that of an earthworm (about six years), a giant sequoia (about 2,000 years), a bacteria ("well, that depends"), a dinosaur ("never again") and the universe (about 15 to 20 billion years). Each example comes with detailed illustrations and something to ponder, such as, for earthworms, "Worms teach us that our work can be very important, even if it can't be seen." Each plant or animal is practically a lesson plan in itself, with "tell about it," "think about it," and "look it up" challenges. Written by a retired teacher, this is a favorite book for children and teachers alike.

Perfect for anyone looking for books:

to use as homeschool materials.

that make learning fun.

to help discussions of life and death.

When David Rice was seven years old, he observed a small dog trying to wake its mother which had been killed by a passing car. As he watched the grieving puppy's vain attempts, he was struck by the depth of sadness and pain. David's lifelong interest in feelings—both animal and human—comes through in his books, Do Animals Have Feelings Too?, Lifetimes and Because Brian Hugged His Mother. Lifetimes introduces some of nature's longest, shortest and most unusual lifetimes and the lessons we can learn from them. Because Brian Hugged His Mother shows how a chain reaction of kindness can spread through a whole school and community as a result of a single hug. David Rice is retired elementary and special education teacher, currently residing in southern California.