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Reviewed by Jennifer Senick for Readers' Favorite
In Willow Wonders about Winter by Colleen Driscoll, the title character, Willow, wakes up on a cold, gray morning, not understanding why all his forest friends are suddenly too busy to play. Mrs. Squirrel is gathering acorns, Miss Grouse is pecking for food, Mr. Deer seems focused on eating enough food to last for days, and others are just as swamped. All of them say winter is coming, but Willow isn’t quite sure what that really means. While walking through the woods with Mr. Deer, he begins to see the signs of the season changing. He sees evergreen branches, bright winterberries, sleepy animals tucked away underground, and other subtle clues. With snowflakes swirling around him and hot chocolate to enjoy, will Willow finally discover what the big deal is about the very cold season?
This is the third book by Colleen Driscoll that I’m reviewing, and Willow Wonders about Winter is just as fantastic as the others. I like how it sneaks in real nature details—herbs, winter flowers, animal habits—in a fun way. That will allow children to learn without even realizing it. As an educator, I believe it could be used in a classroom to discuss seasons, animal adaptations, and what students enjoy doing during the colder months. After reading, it can be extended with activities such as going on a nature walk, looking for signs of winter, making a chart about how animals prepare for the changing weather, and creating their own animal or person in the same style as the ones in the story. The illustrations by the author are truly something special. I adore how she made them from items found in nature. My favorite page is the one with just the deer on it because I think they are magical, and she’s made them even more special. Readers looking for stories about winter or the changing seasons will definitely appreciate this lovely tale.
