More Than Sunny

April 15, 2021
Two siblings remark upon the seasons, exploring and playing in nature. A child bursts into the room of a younger sibling, declaring, "it's sunny!" "And early," the other replies. The two head outside on a bright day and revel in all that spring has to offer. It's not just sunny, but also "mucky" and "ducky" at the pond. The next series of spreads depicts a day of play in what is clearly summer (" 'it's muggy...' 'and buggy!' "), followed by fall ("it's windy and squirrelly!") and winter ("I'm warm and socksy"). The children's observations capture the sensory experiences of the seasons, many of them making unexpected connections depicted by the illustrations. (Summer is "fuzzy" when you're holding a caterpillar.) Parts of speech are creatively employed: Fall is "goodbye-y" when you're watching geese fly south for the winter, and winter itself can be "waity" if you're staring out the window, longing for some snow to play in. The playful rhymes flow easily, beg to be read aloud, and would work well as creative writing prompts in elementary classrooms. There is a distinctly peppy, perky quality to the artwork: All the characters, depicted as White and living in what appears to be a middle-class home near a lake, are freckled, apple-cheeked, and nearly always smiling. The bows in the older child's hair even consistently appear as if hearts are always floating nearby. (This book was reviewed digitally with 11-by-21-inch double-page spreads viewed at actual size.) A bouncy and buoyant take on the changing seasons. (Picture book. 4-8)

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May 17, 2021
This playful picture book debut by chapter book author Johannes follows a pair of freckled white siblings as they frolic through the seasons, with the older pigtailed child communicating a sunny outlook to a younger, less enthusiastic sibling. “It’s sunny...” one verso page reads, showing the older sibling smiling at a family of ducks in a pond. “And mucky!” The younger complains, splashing in the shore’s mud alongside the family dog. “I say it’s sunny and ducky!” The older child rejoins, happily flapping their arms while holding feathers. The rhythmic prose, shown in a crayon-esque lettering, traces the siblings’ passing days and the seasons: “Breezy and buzzy/ summer and fuzzy!” transitions to “winter.../ and waity” before a sweet close focuses on a turnaround—and the night sky. Dynamic art rendered in pencil and mixed media on tracing paper and finished digitally matches the text’s energy in this charming seasonal perusal. Ages 4–8.

July 1, 2021

Toddler-PreS-Two siblings, barely able to contain their exuberance, make the most out of all kinds of weather. As the book moves through the year, the young girl and her smaller brother (who have dark hair and pale skin) discover what makes each season magical-from hunting for frogs to making snow angels with their parents. The story in verse is simple yet descriptive, perfect for a young audience. Pencil illustrations and mixed media vividly display characters' expressions and emotions. Vibrant colors are used throughout and there is an abundance of detail on every page for readers to pore over. Children will delight in the characters' excitement about the change in seasons and all of the new activities that come with it. VERDICT This book is perfect for one-one-one sharing or toddler story time and will have children interested in seeing what happens next.-Sara Thomas, New Castle P.L., DE

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