MILLIE-MAE THROUGH THE SEASONS

Divided into four separate stories, this colorfully illustrated book follows Millie-Mae as she moves through summer, autumn, winter, and spring.

Each section begins with changes in the scenery around her red-roofed house and then moves on to what she wears, where she goes, and what she sees along the way. In summer, she wears a yellow dress and straw hat on her way to the beach to build a sand castle. Along the way, “Millie-Mae passes a row of tall yellow sunflowers” being visited by “blue butterflies and busy yellow bees.” In autumn, “leaves crunch under Millie-Mae’s shoes” when she hosts a tea party for her toys in the park. Winter brings snow, and “Millie-Mae builds three snowmen! She uses twigs for their arms and orange carrots for their noses.” When spring arrives, the trees are covered in pink flowers, and “Millie-Mae fills up her green watering can so she can water her plants.” At the end of each story, it’s time for bed. She and her teddy bear climb under the covers with a “Good night, Millie-Mae. Sweet dreams.” Bright, uncomplicated illustrations complement the repeated action and color words, thus helping children to learn and read along. Softly patterned backgrounds and details add visual interest. Companion title Millie-Mae Loves To Play finds the child dressing up, gardening, flying a kite, and making lemonade in equally simple vignettes. Australian spellings in this import have not been Americanized.

A simple seasonal round.