All around Bustletown: Winter by Rotraut Susanne Berner

Way back in 2009, I first discovered Berner's work with the classic In the town all year 'round. Berner was lauded as the German Richard Scarry and much love and enjoyment followed. As the years flew by, I frequently replaced this delightful book, since it's large size and popularity caused a lot of wear and tear. Earlier this year, I went online to get a new copy and discovered... it was OUT OF PRINT. How could this happen? WHY???

Fortunately for me, and my little patrons, Prestel is republishing this wonderful book in individual sections and in board book format. So, yes, technically this is a board book, but since it's the size of the original picture book and that's where I'm going to put it, I'm counting it as a picture book!

The art is the same, a little dimmer perhaps in the board book edition, but I am so happy to have it I don't care! The only changes are minor adjustments to the few words in the books, the descriptions of the people to look for and the signs on shops. I have to admit I don't really get this - why does it matter if it says "Deli" or "Snacks"? But it doesn't really materially change the book. The way it works, there's a page of people to follow throughout the book - a woman reading, a father and daughter chasing a parrot, a cat who appears on each page, etc. In the board book edition, this is on the back cover. Some of the text changes here are a little puzzling - it no longer tells you to find the cat on each page, just that she's taking a tour through town. Some are a disappointing change. In the original, a busker in patterned sweater and scarf is labeled "Pedro" who loves to sing and play his guitar. In the board book, he is still Pedro, but he's cold because he's from South America. Clearly, the editors have never looked at a map...

Once you've looked at the back page and figured out the people, you follow them through each scene. There's a country spread, with a garage and mechanic, a train station, construction site, and busy downtown scene. Each has numerous small stories to follow and fun details to find. The scenes are repeated in the following seasons, for which I hope they will release additional board books so kids can check out the whole set!

Some reviews mention that it is disappointingly homogeneous - there are a few characters with darker skin pictured, as well as some women wearing hijab, but the majority are white. I don't have a problem with that - this is picturing a small German town where the majority are white. From what I've looked at briefly, ethnic minorities in Germany are mainly Turkish, Russian, and Eastern European, most of whom would appear white as well. You can't complain about the stereotyped dress of "Pedro the South American" (which I don't think was a good addition) and then be upset that you can't pick out the people who are Turkish or whatever. I think it would be cool to have a version of this set in numerous countries around the world, each showing people and settings typical to their small cities.

Verdict: I'm delighted to have be able to offer this favorite to patrons once again in a new, sturdy format and am looking forward to adding the rest of the set.

ISBN: 9783791374154; This edition published October 2019 by Prestel; Review copy provided by publicist; Donated to the library