“Winter is Coming” by Tony Johnston, illustrated by Jim LaMarche
Simon & Schuster, New York, 2014, 32 pages, Grades 2-4.
The changing of the seasons is one of the wonders of nature. As summer ends and the days grow shorter, the entire physical world explodes with golden colors and red hues. Migrations of birds fly south and animals begin storing food for the winter. People enjoy walking in parks and through the countryside to savor this beautiful time.
Tony Johnston has written an excellent picture book about the changes of the season. He entitles this colorful book, “Winter is Coming.”
A young girl sits in her treehouse watching a deer running through the fields. The yellow and brown grass allow the deer to be camouflaged. The child sketches this lovely scene and begins noticing that the entire physical world is busy preparing for winter.
Using her binoculars she scans the fields through falling leaves. A slash of red gleams in her vision. It is a red fox stealthily creeping through weeds. While watching the fox, the girl stays very quiet because she doesn’t want to frighten the handsome animal. If she remains hidden, she can observe all the actions of the fox. Like the other animals, the fox is looking for food. Except for a wrinkled apple, there isn’t anything to eat below her treehouse and the fox moves on to the next field.
A mother bear and her cub next come scuffling across the field. The child again stays absolutely quiet. The last thing she needs is an angry mama bear thinking she need to protect her baby. Fortunately, the bears also move on through the woods.
The girl continues to observe the natural wonders under her treehouse. Readers are treated to the changing of the leaves and families of different animals and birds looking for food to eat. When four skunks walk under her hideout, the girl remains particularly silent so that the skunks continue their journey. A hammering suddenly jars the child. Nearby some woodpeckers begin drilling holes in the trees. As soon as the holes are drilled, they immediately fill them with acorns.
She also spies a number of rabbits carefully chewing grass as they fatten up for the coming winter. They are particularly cautious as they sense predators nearby and scurry to safety. It is a well-founded fear as a lynx soon meanders through the meadow, looking for something to eat. The child continues to view all of these changes with a perceptive eye and frequently draws pictures of the scenes.
What else does this perceptive young girl view in this lovely meadow and forest? What species of animals and birds would you like to see in their natural habitat? I would like to see the white head of a bald eagle against the blue sky. Do you have a favorite? What do you think is the young girl’s favorite? To find out, go to the library and check out this beautiful picture book, “Winter Is Coming,” by Tony Johnston.
This book lends itself to oral reading and sharing in a family setting. Children will easily identify with the girl as she views and draws the wildlife near her treehouse. The pictures are drawn with soft pastels which are comforting and display the child’s innocence.
This book was a starred review in the children’s literature magazine, Booklist. Share the title with a member of your family and you will understand why it is highly regarded. It is a lovely experience. Enjoy!
