A child with tanned skin and a shock of black hair sticking out from their cap and a white child with strawberry blonde hair flying around their headband, start the story by running through the fields with their friendly white and black dog. The two friends cross a wooden stile and start up a hill toward three trees, passing under four clouds. They encounter squirrels and acorns, mushrooms and pinecones, ducks and stepping stones. They eat apples, investigate a fish pond, and stop by a herd of sheep to pick blackberries from a hedge. Finally, having reached 20 footprints, they walk home under the light of 100 stars and with a flashlight leading the way. The two end up tucked up together in one cozy bed (which is apt to strike American readers as... weird. Although it's never expressly stated, the dark-skinned child appears to be male and the white child female).
The illustrations are soft and colorful, although again not exactly realistic. Most of the scenes seem to be of a typical four seasons fall - squirrels gathering acorns, falling leaves, and apples. But there are also yellow dandelions and although they see geese flying south the ducks seem to have no urge to do so. Maybe early fall?
Verdict: Although not realistic, this is a sweet and attractive celebration of outdoor fun along with some simple counting practice. Toddlers are sure to enjoy finding each animal, leaf, and natural object in the pictures.
ISBN: 9780763693381; This edition published August 2018 by Nosy Crow; Purchased for the library
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