Fire Shapes the World by Joanna Cooke

"A nuanced portrayal of fire as a force to be respected." -Publishers Weekly

Life as we know it evolved with fire; there is no us without it. With lyrical text grounded in the latest research, this picture book shares the primal connection between all living things and fire. Children will understand that everything they know in the world has evolved with fire.

There is comfort in understanding the natural processes taking place all around. By learning the story of fire and how it has changed this planet, this book also addresses the question: Can we adapt to an increasingly fire-prone environment? This answer is: Yes. Because we always have.

FIRE SHAPES THE WORLD is both a natural history and a child-friendly portrayal of fire ecology. It is also an encouraging springboard for conversation illuminated by breathtaking paintings, which will allow children to explore their connection to this most elemental agent of change.

Publishers Weekly, May 2023: "Somewhere on Earth, / a fire smolders./ Witness its smoke/ and glow/ and power." Cooke urges appreciation for fire's fundamental role in shaping ecosystems in this poetic exploration. "Life as we know it evolved with fire," text informs as it evokes how fauna, flora, and humans alike have responded to the way fire ravages and renews. Employing painterly layers of color, Li and Renzina fill spreads with the golden reds, oranges, and yellows of fire. Early scenes focused on prehistoric burns ("The oldest known wildfire smoldered 420 million years ago") have a freewheeling, uncontrolled energy, while later pictures of people-including early humans portrayed with brown skin, and contemporary firefighters and campers of different skin tones--appear more static. Together, the creators offer a nuanced portrayal of fire as a force to be respected. Ages 4-8.

Joanna Cooke is a writer who spent ten years living in the Sierra Nevada, working as an environmental educator and National Park Service Ranger in Yosemite National Park. She lives in Jackson, Wyoming, and this is her third book. 

Cornelia Li's work has been recognized by Society of Illustrators, American Illustration, Communication Arts, The AOI, 3x3 Illustration, National Magazine Award, and more. She has illustrated many works of nonfiction for children and lives in Toronto. 

Diāna Renžina's hometown is Riga, Latvia, an inspiring mix of cobbled streets, pine forests, cold sea, and Art Nouveau architecture. She enjoys taking photos, dancing tango, listening to music, and reading books. This is her North American illustration debut.