#blogbookaday: Winter Dance

Summary:  “Snow is coming, and it’s time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the fox do? Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but the fox thinks otherwise—yet it’s not until he meets a golden-eyed friend that he finds the perfect way to celebrate the snowfall.

Stunning illustrations by the new talent Richard Jones are the perfect complement to the Newbery Honor winner Marion Dane Bauer’s lyrical and playful homage to the natural world.” (Taken from Goodreads)

Review: The fine red fox is excited for the snowflakes that are falling, but isn’t sure what to as winter approaches. As the fox learns what other woodland animals do in the winter, he knows that’s not what he’ll do, but don’t learn until he finds a friend in another fine red fox. The illustrations perfectly capture the blanket of snow that falls and the animals habitats during the winter.

Personal Reaction: I liked the poetic way this book read and enjoyed how it captured the quiet of winter while also teaching about how animals spend the winter. I loved the soft palette of colors in this story with the bright red fox’s fur. My only concern about this story is that most of animals aren’t identified with a gender, but the ones that are, are all male characters. It’s a small thing, but one that can make a difference to be more encompassing for all readers.

Title: Winter Dance
Author: Marion Dane Bauer
Illustrator: Richard Jones
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: October 24, 2017

This is a new idea I’m trying on my blog this year that was inspired by @donalynbooks and @heisereads – to provide a brief review of a picture book every day of 2018. You’ll get a brief summary of the story, a review of the content, illustrations and theme, my personal reaction to the book and all the pertinent publication information! Enjoy!