Season-winter – Keep in the Sunlight

Little Red Gliding Hood (2015)
written by Tara Lazar
illustrated by Troy Cummings

This picture book is a playful visit to the land of fairy tale and nursery rhyme characters. Little Red’s ice skates aren’t looking so good anymore, and she’d like to win the brand-new skates offered as a prize at the skating competition. The only problem is – slippery slush! – she doesn’t have a skating partner. Everybody seems to have already paired up – the dish with the spoon, Bo Peep with her sheep, and so on. Turns out the Big Bad Wolf is also looking for a partner, and he’s really a not-so-bad wolf after all. We love the cute references to different fairy tales and nursery rhymes hidden in the story and pictures of this book. A fun picture book to read and see!

Bear Snores On (2002)

written by Karma Wilson
illustrated by Jane Chapman

This is one I’ve had memorized for years, because we read it so often to our first-born. Sometimes books with rhyming texts just don’t quite work for me, and sometimes they completely click. This one flows so well. More and more animals gather in a big bear’s warm den while he sleeps through a blustery night. They make snacks and chat, but the bear continues to snore on. Of course, his slumber is eventually disturbed, and he is not a happy camper. But all ends well with cozy treats and tales.

This is definitely one of my favorite picture books. Great for a bedtime read or a winter read to a little one, but I think any age will enjoy the sweet story, natural rhythm, and darling pictures.