A variety of the animals that burrow into the earth for various purposes are the focus of this science picture book for very young children. At the beginning of spring, a woodchuck vacates its burrow for warmer pastures; a cottontail rabbit decides to use the winter burrow for the birth and raising of her babies. As the seasons progress, the author points out the circle of life via the use of the burrow by a salamander, raccoon, snakes, chipmunks, skunks and finally a woodchuck. Valério’s acrylic illustrations jump off the page, giving a sense of movement and progress. He uses naturalistic swathes of color to portray the seasons and the animals, excellently conveying birth, renewal and the passage of time—indeed, the vivid and kinetic paintings are the real standout. (Picture book/nonfiction. 4-7)
