THE FIRST DAY OF WINTER

Part Eye Spy, part counting book, this is a wonderful seasonal activity that will have kids learning as they observe the wintry world around them. For the first 12 days of winter, four lines of rhyming text describe the activities of a group of children as they enjoy the season. But the artwork is the real attraction. Clever use of page space uses only an oval for the children; the rest of the full-bleed illustrations are the backdrop for a nature-based treasure hunt. Additional text prompts readers to search the amazingly realistic watercolor-and-colored pencil artwork for plants, animals and objects that are related to what the children are doing. When they are snowshoeing, for instance, readers search for eight animals that manage to stay above the snow. The outline of each oval contains the answers, naming and sometimes describing the target objects. It’s only on the bird identification page that this system fails. Several pages at the back describe the featured plants and animals in more detail, as well as give more general information about why Earth has winters and how animals deal with the cold. A great addition to any collection, especially if that collection is in a snowy place. (Picture book/nonfiction. 5-9)