As the air outside turns cold, latch onto these lovely books that explore the wonderful world outside our windows
Dust Devil by Anne Isaacs
$17.99, ages 5–9
This stand-alone sequel to the Caldecott Honor-winning Swamp Angel is a boisterously funny pairing of wit and adventure. It takes readers on a wild ride through a tall-tale version of 19th century Montana, complete with wacky explanations of natural landmarks. (Did you know the Sawtooth Range is made of real teeth?) Young readers will gladly brave monstrous dust storms, mosquito-riding bandits and the villainous Backwards Bart again and again with Swamp Angel and her trusty Dust Devil by their sides.
Big Belching Bog by Phyllis Root
$15.95, ages 4–8
Rich illustrations lure readers into the mysterious world of Minnesota bogs, where it turns out life is positively thriving against all odds. Glimpse frozen wood frogs, skittering bog lemmings, and secretive gray wolves as you listen for the big bog’s elusive belch. Nature-lovers will most enjoy this factual wandering through bog habitats, although the vivid wood-cut illustrations might hold the attention of readers who would otherwise be lost by this book’s languid pace.
Pobble’s Way by Simon Van Booy
$16.95, ages 4–8
Imaginative little Pobble and her father take readers into a magical winter wonderland, where leaves are really butterfly rafts, mushrooms are really frog umbrellas, and feathers are really “tickle sticks.” When Pobble drops her mitten in the snow, the winter creatures wonder what it really is — a carrot carrier? An emergency mouse house? This enchanting blend of inventive language and charming illustrations is a sure bet for some bedtime giggles.
Ricky and the Squirrel by Guido Van Genechten
Translated from Dutch
$16.95, ages 4 and up
Genechten is a courageous author. This gracefully illustrated book ventures into a subject realm braved by few children’s writers — mortality. When Ricky the rabbit finds a squirrel on the ground and brings it home for his mother to heal, he learns an important lesson about old age and dying. Although the translation can feel a bit linguistically abrupt at times, warmly colorful illustrations breathe life into this teaching tale about accepting death.
Someone Walks By by Polly Carlson-Voiles
$12.95, ages 5–10
This natural mystery-tale set in the winter forest is sure to be a favorite of any curious animal-lovers. Readers follow a set of mysterious footprints through cut and torn paper and watercolor illustrations of wintertime creatures to discover who the unknown “someone” is. This book fully merits two rarely united adjectives — educational and poetic. Its richness of both illustration and language will have the more patient of readers coming back for more.
