A Year Around the Great Oak
'Realistic, delicate paintings use pattern, light and soft colors to track nature's transformation of the old oak tree during a single year in an innocent style reminiscent of Barbara Cooney. Simplified natural details of individual plants, birds and animals invite close inspection, while holistic scenes of the oak evoke an idyllic seasonal atmosphere. A charming celebration of the changing seasons.' -- Kirkus Review 'By the creator of Where Do They Go When It Rains, this is an exquisite work of art with a timeless quality... This is a must for all libraries and schools.' -- Carousel 'Unpredictable, stimulating and ultimately confidence-inducing ... Gerda Muller, whose work may be familiar from her other nature-imbued children's books ("Goldilocks and the Three Bears," "Where Do They Go When It Rains?"), draws each activity and animal with great detail and attention. Leaf shapes are accurate, and the picture of the children making their hideout from sticks and leaves is as good as a scouting manual; for readers with access to woods this could prove to be a useful as well as a handsome book.' -- The New York Times.com