Desert Jungle, written and illustrated by Jeannie Baker. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2023. $24.99 ages 5 and up

"That evening, 

I leave my bag outside 
the ranch house. 
It has everything in it, 
even the cake my mother 
made for us. 

But when I go to get the cake ... 
my bag is gone!" 

In first person narration we hear the story of a young boy whose life in his small desert village is disturbed at night by the howling of coyotes. Those howls spark fear in him. When he is invited to spend some time at his grandfather's isolated ranch house deeper in the desert, he prefers playing on his tablet to exploring. 

His backpack (with tablet inside) is stolen by a coyote when he leaves it outside. His aversion to spending time without the tablet leads him to wander off in search of it. Soon enough, he realizes he does not know where he is. He is scared of what he can't see, but forces himself to remain calm and take in his surroundings. Only then does he recognize the shape of the mountain near his grandfather's home - it leads him back home. 

When he admits he is scared of the 'desert  jungle', his grandfather convinces him to explore his surroundings. The discoveries made, with guidance from the older man, let the boy identify the real beauty there and to learn to love it as his grandfather does. While Grandpa works, he explores on his own. He gains greater understanding and respect for the importance of the landscape, its flora and fauna, and he ends up collecting some very special treasures to take home with him.

During a desert storm, he finds shelter in a nearby cave - one he inadvertently shares with a coyote! He brings his grandpa back to see it, and to tell him about the coyote. 

"I return to my village 
feeling love for my desert home. 
I try to give its creatures space ... 
My fear is gone." 

For anyone who has ever experienced the real beauty of Jeannie Baker's impressive collage artwork, there is continued admiration here. Her three-dimensional images are full of rich color and textures, and ensure that readers have a real sense for the grandeur to be found in the desert. They will want to reach out and touch the creatures, the treasures, the many gorgeous succulents, and the sure-to-be prickly cacti that grace every spread. 
 

Back matter includes a map, information about the Valle de los Cirios in the Sonoran Desert, and a note on Baker’s motivation for creating the book.

Stop, look around you, and appreciate the true wonder of our world. It is life changing. What are we protecting when we care about what surrounds us? This book is testament to that very thing. 

What you do not know, you will fear. 
What one fears, one destroys.
        Chief Dan George