Winter Is Coming

Because illustrator Jim La Marche is both a talented artist and a fellow Santa Cruzan, I always enjoy adding his new titles to my picture book collection. I purchased Winter Is Coming a few months ago but put it aside because I thought my 3+ year old granddaughter wasn't quite ready for it. ("A lot of words!" she said when she first saw it.) But guess what, I was wrong. Since I brought it out last week, she has asked for multiple readings every time she has visited. In retrospect, I shouldn't be surprised since this is a picture book that manages to combine two current obsessions-- snow and woodland creatures. Instead of being bored by "too many words" or the contemplative, poetic nature of the text, she examines each page after I read the text and is full of questions: "Why is the girl being quiet?""What do skunks eat?""Is a lynx like a bobcat?""Where are the geese going?" And finally, when the first snowflakes begin to fall and the girl gets down from her perch in the trees and heads home, drawing pad under arm, I hear, "Is it going to keep snowing?" (She said hopefully, this being a California girl who has never seen snowflakes floating down and yearns for the day.) Lovely, lovely book.

This has the most beautiful illustrations I’ve ever seen. My sons both love it and so do I! Great for any child ages 2-10 I’d say. Wonderful story line as well. Highly recommend!

Jim LaMarche’s stunning artwork wonderfully illustrates this story of a young girl observing the coming of Winter through the actions of nature. Lovely!

Lovely book to read around autumn. Very educational for children. Goes over my 4 year old's head a bit but she does enjoy it. As she gets older she will understand it more. Very soothing and puts her to sleep. Relaxing for adults doing the reading as well! Beautiful illustrations are a work of art on every single page. I can see this becoming a classic.

This is a new picture book favorite! Gorgeous illustrations & we love the naturalist theme.

Beautiful beautiful book. I purchased from amazon after seeing this at my local Barnes and noble (cost twice as much). I got it for my two year old this fall but I decided to save it another year because it's a bit wordy for a two year old attention span. And it's such a beautiful book I don't want it trashed before he can sit still long enough to read the whole thing!

I really liked the illustrations but the story line was a bit of a downer. Not very uplifting. Didn't leave me with a great feelings. But I thought the art was great and captured new england really well.

The cadence and illustrations in this book make such a lovely combination! One of my favorite fall books!!

Aunque no sea exactamente el típico otoño de nuestra zona, es un libro con unas ilustraciones preciosas, líricas diría yo. El otoño es la estación que más difícil me ha resultado a la hora de encontrar libros bonitos, pero al final he conseguido varios que me llegan al alma.Y a mi hijo de 3 años también le gusta mucho.Somos de leer muchos, muchos libros, y le suelen gustar casi todos, pero se ve que este lo encuentra especial.

Well written, beautiful illustrations, with a beautiful message about how we can learn so much about life from animals. 100% recommend this book for any and everyone.

Immagini stupende che immergono il lettore in un magico autunno, ma gli animali proposti sono tipici del nord America... per i miei bimbi della scuola dell'infanzia non è di immediata co prensione.

El libro es muy bonito, con imágenes y palabras muy cuidadas. Lo unico es que habla de un otoño y invierno muy americano y hay imágenes que encajan menos con nuestra realidad. A ver cuando hacen un libro de invierno para el Mediterraneo! : )

Beautiful, rich language. Exceptional illustrations I have come to expect from Jim laMarche. Absolutely add this to your winter picture book library.