A YEAR IN THE COUNTRY

In a book that is wordless except for the names of the 12 months plus a final sentence (""The year is over and a new year begins""), a single scene--a traditional farm--is depicted as it might appear each month. The architecture and February's half-melted snow suggest a setting in the eastern US, not too far north. The activities are traditional--according to the season, a pond supports skaters, swimmers, or ducks; hearts, pumpkins, and wreaths appear on schedule. The many details yield a surprising amount of information about the farm family's activities. Florian's illustrations are pleasantly unassuming, some of his forms almost awkward; yet he is remarkably skillful at depicting the different quality of light for different times, weathers, or seasons. An excellent springboard for discussion.