A Chill in the Air: Nature Poems for Fall and Winter
Kindergarten-Grade 3-In this evocative collection, children are invited on a delightfully chilly journey through fall and winter. It begins with the familiar signs of a northern fall season: "Fall sets fire/To the tips of trees,/And fans the flames/With an icy breeze," and moves into winter: "dead leaves/frost heaves/icy eaves/long sleeves." The darkest days of that season follow: "The earth grows stingy/in the winter wild/when the wind blows cold/and the snow lies deep-/her creatures scour/for bits of food/or still their hunger/with weeks of sleep." Each poem reveals fresh images, such as "The mushrooms pop up, wearing hats." Reed's amazing, windswept paintings capture the exhilaration and challenge of the two seasons. There is motion on each spread-the wind rushing, children skating, a witch flying, leaves blowing, and storms roaring-except for the final, calm picture of gently approaching spring. Well designed with large print and full color, this book has definite child appeal.Lee Bock, Glenbrook Elementary School, Pulaski, WICopyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.