I bought this based on the cover (oh come on, that's what covers are FOR) and I was not disappointed. Even better, I've got all sorts of ideas for a winter storywalk now...
The endpapers are decorated with delicate illustrations of the animals featured in the book; a red fox, a hawk in flight and standing, a playful pair of otters, and more. Milo, a white boy in the North Woods, complete with flannel shirt, wants a story but his mom is busy. She suggests he go out and play in the snow and although initially grouchy, he quickly is intrigued by the mouse prints under the feeder. As he follows the prints, he speculates about the story they, and other tracks, have to tell. Beautifully illustrated, wordless spreads follow each new discovery and readers can follow both Milo's trek and the journey of the mouse as it scampers past birds, escapes a hawk, and travels through the woods with deer and porcupines and past the creek and a band of playful otters.
Eventually, the mouse returns to its own home in the woodpile as Milo returns to his home. This time, when his mother offers to read him a story, he has his own story to tell, illustrated with the things he has found - a feather, a fish skeleton, and more.
The soft watercolor and ink illustrations capture the beauty of the winter landscape, while focusing attention on each new discovery and the stories Milo imagines happening where he can't see. This is a great book for families who live in or near northern woods to read before taking a nature hike in the winter, or to imagine taking one.
I'm eager to make this into a storywalk and then hand out art supplies for making one's own nature stories or kits to go on nature hikes and discover more!
Verdict: I'm very glad I bought this, it's an excellent choice for my patrons and a beautiful book that will be a pleasure to read aloud. Recommended.
ISBN: 9780823440993; Published November 2020 by Margaret G. Ferguson/Holiday House; Purchased for the library
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