A Cozy Winter Day

August 5, 2024
Across Wheeler’s quaint seasonal story, the animal residents of Acorn Village revel in winter weather that sees the community hopping with activity. First following a bunny family, the Hopps, sensorial text explains that “Winter Cozy” begins with the aroma of “breakfast sizzling on the stove.” Domestic projects, including stirring stew, baking bread, crafting, and block building, initially occupy the family and neighbors, until the community heads outdoors for snowy pleasures. Even Hilda, a bona fide night owl and writer, ventures forth on “a Flight of Inspiration.” A gratitude-filled feast and crackling fire round out the day before all settle in for “a Cozy Winter Sleep”—except Hilda, naturally, who begins writing the story of a snowy forest village. Wheeler’s jolly worldbuilding and digital
renderings of Acorn Village offer up absorbingly detailed depictions of the critters’ comfortable wintertime lifestyles. Ages 2–5.

August 15, 2024
The woodland creatures of Acorn Village enjoy snowy-day activities. Donning comfy clothes and snuggling into nooks, the villagers burrow in for a snow-filled, cold day. They stack firewood, cook stew, bake bread, and knit by the fire. When the snowflakes finally stop falling, everyone tromps outside to play and go ice-skating. As the sun sets, the neighbors come together for a winter feast before heading home to their own warm beds. The book opens with a visual introduction to the heavily anthropomorphized villagers; Wheeler has depicted a variety of family units. The Hopps family of bunnies includes Dad and Pop as patriarchs and little bunnies who vary in terms of fur colors, features, and abilities, while the Chipleys are a single-parent household. The author/illustrator has considered every aspect of a cozy winter day, and Acorn Village is alive with detail. Readers from colder climates will recognize all the best parts of a snow day, while those from warmer climes will feel immersed in all things winter. Some of the illustrations are accompanied by text explaining what the characters are doing; these additions at times feel unnecessary, though they don't distract from the story. The gentle text matches the mood of the illustrations. Visual references to Christmas appear throughout, but the holiday isn't mentioned by name in the text. A lovely encapsulation of the best parts of winter.(Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

October 15, 2024
Preschool-Grade 2 Whether you live in a place where it snows or simply dream of an escape from heat and humidity, cozying up in Acorn Village will be a welcome respite. A snowfall is celebrated with fun activities inside, such as cooking, reading, and crafting, followed by skating, sledding, and snowbear-building outdoors. The beavers, owl, squirrel, and other animals are anthropomorphized, wearing clothes and enjoying a vegetarian stew and bread together at the end of their busy day. A variety of family structures are represented, including the multicolored rabbit group with two dads and five children, one of whom uses a wheelchair. There is also a single mom with a baby and an older couple, among others. The village's fanciful houses sport gingerbread trim and bright pastel colors and are built into trees or nestled among other plants. Readers may pore over the charmingly detailed illustrations, taking in the particulars as they revel in the simple pleasures of this fantasy winter day.

COPYRIGHT(2024) Booklist, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

November 1, 2024
This story, which focuses on several animal families plus one owl, perfectly portrays the delights of a snow day, both indoors and out. Wheeler's rich, colorful digital illustrations immerse readers in the atmosphere of winter. The playful art, which depicts activities that many young readers will find familiar (sledding, snowball fights), adds warmth (complete with fireplace!) to the narrative. From the first detailed endpaper to the last, this picture book will have readers wishing to wake up and fall asleep on a snow day. charlize guerra

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)

July 1, 2024
This story, which focuses on several animal families plus one owl, perfectly portrays the delights of a snow day, both indoors and out. Wheeler's rich, colorful digital illustrations immerse readers in the atmosphere of winter. The playful art, which depicts activities that many young readers will find familiar (sledding, snowball fights), adds warmth (complete with fireplace!) to the narrative. From the first detailed endpaper to the last, this picture book will have readers wishing to wake up and fall asleep on a snow day.

(Copyright 2024 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)