THE TWIST-A-ROO

A badger eager to brighten her winter learns the value of preparation (and good friends) in Doherty’s picture book.

In this spin on the fable of the grasshopper and the ants, Badger is getting ready for the snowy season; she “didn’t want to suffer through another dull, dark winter.” She travels to town in search of something bright. There, she discovers a kaleidoscope—a Twist-a-Roo—that captivates her imagination. Eager to share it, she visits Porcupine and Beaver, both of whom are too busy with their winter preparations. Badger is so distracted by her desire to share the Twist-a-Roo’s beauty that she makes gifts instead of preparing for the coming chill. As she works, winter arrives, and she’s cold and hungry—until her friends show up with supplies, eager for some beauty to chase away the winter blues. Doherty balances Badger’s foolishness with her kindheartedness. She isn’t just avoiding work; she wants to share something wonderful with her friends. The community’s acknowledgment of beauty’s value is a wonderful counterpoint to the traditional fable, and their willingness to help their friend in order to share that beauty gives it a much happier ending. Litten’s illustrations blend cartoons and painted images to depict a delightful host of woodland creatures; the word-to-text ratio makes each page approachable for independent readers.

A fun—and kinder—reinvention of an old tale.