Tuesday, October 17, 2017

THE ROAD HOME by Katie Cotton / Book Review #TheRoadHome


By: Katie Cotton
Illustrated by: Sarah Jacoby
Published by: Abrams
Released on: March 7, 2017 
Ages: 4 & up
Purchase from: AbramsAmazon | B&N 
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4 Owlets 
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review

Fierce and tender, this beautifully illustrated picture book depicts the journeys of woodland animals as they seek the safety of home in a wild, unpredictable world. Birds risk the elements to fly south for the winter. Rabbits flee wolves to find warm, safe havens in the burrows. Wolves race the threat of hunger before seeking their dens. All are parents teaching their young the ways of survival in a dangerous world. In the end, each pair of animals finds the comfort of home in each other, reinforcing the depth of the bond between parent and child. With soft and stunning art, this book is a giftable meditation on the fierce beauty of life and the love we find as we seek the way home.

A lyerical story that magically captures the changes in nature's seasons, and the journeys animals take to get prepare for those changes. Whether soaring over valleys, running through snow covered mountains, nestling down in a field of flowers, or hiding in the woods, this story takes readers of a journey through nature, and it's changing seasons with a beautiful message about finding home.

The warm earth tone color scheme, and vivid illustrations, are a perfect match for the story's heartfelt story about the journey home. With a constant reminder that, "This road is hard, this road is long, but we not alone. For you are here, and I'm with you, and so this road is home." The message about love, and seeking the way home, is one younger readers will understand and older readers will treasure it's deeper meaning. This is a book we really enjoyed and one we definitely recommend picking up. It's a perfect read for this fall, and all year long. 

Take a Look Inside:





We really enjoyed these illustrations. They really add a lot to the overall feel to the story. 

GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN by Kenard Pak / Book Review #GoodbyeSummerHelloAutumn


Written & Illustrated by: Kenard Pak
Published by: Henry Holt
Released on: August 16th, 2016
Ages: 4 & up
Purchase from: The Publisher | Amazon | B&N 
Add it to Goodreads
Rating: 4.5 Owlets - We Really Enjoyed It
Source: purchased book 

As trees sway in the cool breeze, blue jays head south, and leaves change their colors, everyone knows autumn is on its way! 
Join a young girl as she takes a walk through forest and town, greeting all the signs of the coming season. In a series of conversations with every flower and creature and gust of wind, she says good-bye to summer and welcomes autumn.

I absolutely love the changing seasons from summer into fall. GOODBYE SUMMER, HELLO AUTUMN captures some of the things I love about the changing of the seasons, perfectly. Both in story telling, and vivid fall colored illustrations, Pak helps readers understand the changing of the warm summer days, into the chilly shorter fall days. 

Joining the young girl on her walk from her house, through the woods and country, and into her small town, and back again, readers see how nature prepares itself for the change from summer to autumn. As the girl welcomes the changes, she's greeted by nature, who tells her of each change. From the fox getting ready to hibernate, to the last of the summer flowers, to the chilly wind, everything has a purpose. 

With bright colorful changes on the trees, flowers and leaves, to the animals and bugs making preparations for cooler weather, readers see how everything gets ready for fall. This is a delightful story with charming illustrations. I love the diverse characters featured in this book, and all the details featured in each of the pages of this book. This book is perfect for curling up with on a cooler fall day.

Check out a few of the images from the book (image source, the author)




I would be most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves. ~ Anna Quindlen

Good children's literature appeals not only to
the child in the adult, but to the adult in the child.
~ Anonymous ~