Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser

Harriet, You’ll Drive Me Wild by Mem Fox- The struggle in this one will feel familiar to many parents of four-year-olds. Time for Bed by Mem Fox – A quick read with just enough repetition to feel like a lullaby. Good for 2-5 year olds. The children in the story fix up the house of a beloved friend and neighbor. Peter’s Old House by Elsa Beskow – This appeals to children fascinated by building ours enjoyed it most around the ages of 4-7. These are books I either loved sharing with my children when they were small or that I wish were around for them in their preschool years. Because I made the list with a friendly librarian, it is definitely colored to my tastes, so you should think of it as more of a starting point than a definitive “must read” kind of list. The list includes new delights and old treasures covering an array of topics and styles. In the process, you’ll figure out which areas of the library hold the books that work best for you and your child. The following list might help you, as you can just ask your friendly librarian for particular titles then you can take them home and figure out what was a good fit. You have this idea that you can find a perfect selection of books if you could even read one spine, but your child is too intrigued by the long rows of books to give you a chance to browse. Or if you’re like me, imagine following your almost running child around and around the library. (Sept.Imagine yourself and your child standing in the library. A quiet, atmospheric and offbeat treasure.

The moment when the snow really does begin to fall is worth waiting for, too. Giggles and guffaws will abound (three whole spreads are devoted to Squirrel and Hedgehog belting out sea shanties to keep themselves awake). Squirrel's reddish hair springs forth frenetically, Hedgehog's prickles look untidy and sleepy, and Bear's luxurious fur hangs over his eyebrows, making him look even grumpier. ) sketches freely on white pages in dark gray and sepia, drawing with casual grace and unerring comic instinct. Squirrel is convinced that a tin can is the first snowflake, and Bear appears with an old white sock. Hedgehog holds up his discovery in triumph: it's a toothbrush (“Winter will be wonderful,” Hedgehog thinks, as the next page shows the animal delighting in a shower of white toothbrushes against an inky sky). Told that it will be “white and wet and cold and soft,” they put off hibernating and begin to search. Like furry slapstick comedians, a squirrel, hedgehog and bear make one sweet goof after another as they look for the first snowflake of winter.

Waiting for Winter by Sebastian Meschenmoser