Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Rhythmic lines and fact-filled supporting content combine for an informative tribute to different species' wintertime adaptations. Across busy illustrations that shift from autumnal to arctic, an adult caregiver and child, both portrayed as Black, lightly guide the search for animal hiders, seekers, finders, and keepers. Eastern box turtles, wood frogs, bumblebees, and other hibernators feature first ("They're under cover,/ burrowed deep"). Profiled next are "seekers" such as Canada geese, elk, and monarch butterflies ("Wings scribble across the skyline"). And finally, white-tailed deer, mice, and some squirrels become examples of how "finders keep" ("They keep warm bundled in coats,/ keep full with buried treasures"). Perera's digital graphics rely on a range of paint-like techniques to depict all the creatures covered by Kulekjian's supporting factoids, resulting in an educational study that aptly communicates a sense of wonder about nature. Back matter includes animal track guide, author's note, and resources. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
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Review by School Library Journal Review
K-Gr 3--A father and child, both with brown skin and black hair, set out on a walk in an autumnal landscape. They pass several animals and insects that are hiding, preparing for their winter hibernation. As the walk progresses, so does the season, and the pair is now in a wintry setting. Here they pass creatures who are seeking out warmer climates. Finally in late winter, the animals and insects are shown staying in the winter habitat and surviving by using the resources they have stored or are sharing. This is a soft, beautiful seasonal journey written in lyrical text with detailed and bright illustrations, stylized yet intricate and full of charm as they show the nature walk. Round side bars provide specific and fascinating details about the different creatures in the story. Includes a guide to tracking prints in the snow and a list of resources at the end. VERDICT An excellent book to use in earth and life science units as well as a perfect seasonal read. By grouping the animals into three categories, it makes concepts of hibernation, migration, and adaptation easier for young readers to understand.--Heidi Dechief
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Review by Kirkus Book Review
People take vacations to warmer climes, put on heavier clothing, and hunker down in warm buildings in the winter. How do animals survive the season? In a play on the traditional childhood chant, "finders, keepers, losers, weepers," Kulekjian divides animals into several groups according to how they tackle wintry weather. Hiders find places to hole up while it's cold; hibernation, brumation, diapause, and torpor are all introduced. Seekers look for places that are better suited to them (migration): places where food is easier to find or where the weather is warmer. And the finders keep…warm with heavier coats, full with stashes of food, and close in order to stay warm together. Many animals in this last group have adaptations that help them survive winter conditions. The main text is printed right on the full-bleed spreads. Further information about the science or the species on the page is provided in round text bubbles; for example, bee colonies die out each autumn, the queen going into diapause, then laying eggs and starting new colonies each spring. Perera's digital illustrations reflect the palettes of fall and winter, the realistic-looking scenes featuring many opportunities to spy animals in their natural habitats. A brown-skinned parent and child are seen periodically, their bond and their love of the outdoors both clear. (This book was reviewed digitally.) A solid look at animals in the winter and the ways they weather the weather. (track guide, author's note, resources) (Informational picture book. 3-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
