A lovely encapsulation of the best parts of winter.
The woodland creatures of Acorn Village enjoy snowy-day activities.
Donning comfy clothes and snuggling into nooks, the villagers burrow in for a snow-filled, cold day. They stack firewood, cook stew, bake bread, and knit by the fire. When the snowflakes finally stop falling, everyone tromps outside to play and go ice-skating. As the sun sets, the neighbors come together for a winter feast before heading home to their own warm beds. The book opens with a visual introduction to the heavily anthropomorphized villagers; Wheeler has depicted a variety of family units. The Hopps family of bunnies includes Dad and Pop as patriarchs and little bunnies who vary in terms of fur colors, features, and abilities, while the Chipleys are a single-parent household. The author/illustrator has considered every aspect of a cozy winter day, and Acorn Village is alive with detail. Readers from colder climates will recognize all the best parts of a snow day, while those from warmer climes will feel immersed in all things winter. Some of the illustrations are accompanied by text explaining what the characters are doing; these additions at times feel unnecessary, though they don’t distract from the story. The gentle text matches the mood of the illustrations. Visual references to Christmas appear throughout, but the holiday isn’t mentioned by name in the text.
A lovely encapsulation of the best parts of winter. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: Oct. 15, 2024
ISBN: 9780593617205
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Nancy Paulsen Books
Review Posted Online: July 19, 2024
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 15, 2024
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren.
In talk-show host Fallon and illustrator Ordóñez’s latest picture-book collaboration, an elderly pooch waxes rhapsodic about a life well lived.
Observing Papa sitting in his chair watching TV all day, a young pup says, “I’m starting to think…you don’t do ANYTHING.” So Papa proceeds to list his accomplishments, both big and small, mundane and profound. Some are just a result of being older and physically bigger (being tall enough to reach a high shelf and strong enough to open jars); others include winning a race and performing in a band when he was younger. Eventually, the pup realizes that while Papa may have slowed down in his old age, he’s led a full life. The most satisfying thing about Papa’s life now? Watching his grandchild take center stage: “I can say lots of thoughts / but I choose to be quiet. / I’d rather you discover things and then try it.” Fallon’s straightforward text is sweetly upbeat, though it occasionally lacks flow, forcing incongruous situations together to fit the rhyme scheme (“I cook and I mow, / and I once flew a plane. // I play newspaper puzzles because it’s good for my brain”). Featuring uncluttered, colorful backgrounds, Ordóñez’s child-friendly digital art at times takes on sepia tones, evoking the sense of looking back at old photos or memories. Though the creators tread familiar ground, the love between Papa and his little one is palpable.
A tale of intergenerational bonding to be shared by grandparents and grandchildren. (Picture book. 3-6)Pub Date: May 13, 2025
ISBN: 9781250393975
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Review Posted Online: May 3, 2025
Kirkus Reviews Issue: June 1, 2025
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A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies.
Pigeon finds something better to drive than some old bus.
This time it’s Santa delivering the fateful titular words, and with a “Ho. Ho. Whoa!” the badgering begins: “C’mon! Where’s your holiday spirit? It would be a Christmas MIRACLE! Don’t you want to be part of a Christmas miracle…?” Pigeon is determined: “I can do Santa stuff!” Like wrapping gifts (though the accompanying illustration shows a rather untidy present), delivering them (the image of Pigeon attempting to get an oversize sack down a chimney will have little ones giggling), and eating plenty of cookies. Alas, as Willems’ legion of young fans will gleefully predict, not even Pigeon’s by-now well-honed persuasive powers (“I CAN BE JOLLY!”) will budge the sleigh’s large and stinky reindeer guardian. “BAH. Also humbug.” In the typically minimalist art, the frustrated feathered one sports a floppily expressive green and red elf hat for this seasonal addition to the series—but then discards it at the end for, uh oh, a pair of bunny ears. What could Pigeon have in mind now? “Egg delivery, anyone?”
A stocking stuffer par excellence, just right for dishing up with milk and cookies. (Picture book. 4-6)Pub Date: Sept. 5, 2023
ISBN: 9781454952770
Page Count: 40
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Review Posted Online: Sept. 12, 2023
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