Goodbye Winter, Hello Spring

PreS-Gr 2--A boy takes a daily walk with his dog through the countryside. The book opens with an array of wintry scenes but as it goes on, the boy observes the changes in the scenery as the season shifts from winter to spring. The book's repetition of the word "hello" becomes a soothing and rhythmic addition to the text. The child appears to be in constant conversation with the natural world around him. These conversations have a poetic tone and flow. The drawings are done in a folk-art style with scenes that often shift perspective, giving readers an opportunity to view the landscape in different ways. Neutral colors are used to portray dark snowy scenery. Snowflakes are streaked and dotted across pages, generating a realistic illusion of movement. Animals with playful expressions can be seen throughout. VERDICT A good addition to any seasonal storytime collection.--Deanna Smith, Pender County Public Library, NC