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*The Winter Train* by Susanna Isem, illustrated by Ester Garcia
The Winter Train
by Susanna Isem, illustrated by Ester Garcia
Ages 3-6 32 pages Cuento de Luz November 2014 Hardcover    

The forest animals in Isern’s story don’t fly or walk when they migrate for the winter: they take the Winter Train.

The animals have said goodbye to their friends who are staying behind (the fish and the owl), and the light’s been turned off by rabbit. They board the train beneath the oldest tree and head to the Southern Forest. On the train, they pass the time knitting, talking, and drinking tea.

These animals believe in teamwork and community. Goat trusts wolf enough to share a seat, and when squirrel accidentally misses the train, they go back to get her. “You came back to rescue me!” she says. Though snow has now fallen and covered the train tracks, the train isn’t stuck for long. The animals push the snow off the tracks and push the train until it starts moving again.

Garcia plays with proportions on the page. When Genet is in the forest, she is almost as big as the trees she runs between. Stars are oversized and, and the leaves falling in the Northern Forest are almost long as the wild cat.

The animals carry luggage and wear winter attire, and they use objects that we would use like a hairbrush and knitting needles. When they animals are curled up on the train, they fit together like puzzle pieces.

Soft colors and subtle textures give the animals on the double-page spreads a gentle look. This is a beautiful book about leaving home for the winter.
 


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  Tanya Boudreau/2014 for curled up with a good kid's book  






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