2021-08-31
See and feel what the wind can do.
The gentle spring wind scatters seed. Everything is set spinning in a quick wind gust. It’s good to be indoors when the stormy wind whistles. When the geese take flight in the autumn wind, it’s time to fly a kite. A strong, steady wind turns a turbine to provide power. And what better way to enjoy the swirling, sawing wind than to play in the piles of fallen leaves? Sweeping winds can knock you off your feet and grab on to your umbrella. The restless wind howls and makes the Halloween night perfect. Even the icy, blustery wind that bites at your nose is an adventure. Kerbel follows the wind through the seasons, setting scenes with strong descriptive language in two-line verses with simple rhymes or near rhymes, all filled with movement and joy. A diverse cast of young children interact with the wind, which is depicted throughout as streaming white lines pushing through the air in Sato’s wonderfully textured mixed-media collage illustrations that seamlessly match the scenes described. Readers will want to touch the children’s sweaters, pick the luscious-looking apples hanging loosely on the tree, and jump into that beckoning pile of leaves. The concept of wind in all its varieties is explained simply and beautifully with just enough information for curious young readers.
Feel the wind in your hair and enjoy. (experiments, vocabulary) (Picture book. 2-7)
(Picture book. 2-7)
Praise for Windy Days
2023 Bank Street Library Margaret Wise Brown Best Board Books of the Year Selection
2021 Northern Lights Book Awards Winner – Board Book Category
2021 CBC Books "41 Canadian Picture books to watch for in fall 2021" selection
2022 CCBC Spring Best Books for Kids & Teens Selection
“Kerbel follows the wind through the seasons, setting scenes with strong descriptive language in two-line verses...filled with movement and joy. A diverse cast of young children interact with the wind...in Sato’s wonderfully textured mixed-media collage illustrations that seamlessly match the scenes described...The concept of wind in all its varieties is explained simply and beautifully with just enough information for curious young readers.”—Kirkus Reviews
“Kerbel and Sato's energetic picture book takes a closer look at just how alive the wind can be. Bouncy, perfectly rhyming couplets capture its varying nature, from gentle and steady to swirly and gusty...elaborate, meticulous cut-paper collage artwork depicts the motion of wind in fascinating vignettes that beautifully capture its movement, featuring cheery, softly rounded kids portrayed with just as much dynamic movement as the book's subject.”—Booklist
“The suggested activities and vocabulary at the end of the book will encourage readers to find their own fun, just like the children in the book...An enchanting STEM title that will ignite the investigative scientist in young children.”—School Library Journal
“There are many books about the concept of wind for early readers, but what makes Windy Days standout is the skillful artwork...a winning formula that celebrates and makes accessible the everyday happenings in our weather.”—CM Magazine
“Toddlers will have fun reading about wind and autumn with this nicely illustrated, rhyming story featuring a book with a padded cover, rounded corners and thick pages.”—Metroland Media
“It’s nice to see STEM activities listed at the end which can reinforce the understanding of the science...A great addition to story time or classroom study of weather for the preschool and kindergarten set.”—Youth Services Book Review
“A lovely poem, WINDY DAYS is a fun way to begin to talk about the weather with toddlers and preschoolers. Intriguing textured illustrations and fun autumn scenes make this a great one for little ones to explore.”—YA Books Central
“[T]his board book featuring collage art and descriptive language is a true joy.”—The Kid Lit Mama
“A lovely poem, WINDY DAYS is a fun way to begin to talk about the weather with toddlers and preschoolers. Intriguing textured illustrations and fun autumn scenes make this a great one for little ones to explore.”—Olivia, Goodreads
“Kerbel uses effective, rhythmic vocabulary to give her readers a real sense of the movement, power, and joy that wind provides. Miki Sato's gorgeous, mixed-media collage artwork perfectly matches the text and provides a glorious feeling of constant motion.”—Sal’s Fiction Addiction
“Not only a lovely, gentle way to introduce concepts of weather to a young audience/young readers, but also, quite simply, a genuinely beautiful and clear rhyming story that gorgeously captures the childhood wonder in experiencing the natural world.”—Fab Book Reviews
“This book just rolls off your tongue making it perfect to share as a read aloud with a big group of children. Readers will then be inspired to get outside and discover all of the things they can do in the wind.”—Storytime With Stephanie
“When a picture book, a two-dimensional source, can evoke weather such that the reader feels the bite of the wind or the slash of the briskness of leaves against skin, it's doing something terrific. I may be able to feel the wind by just stepping outside right now but I'd much rather experience it through the text and paper collage of Deborah Kerbel and Miki Sato's latest collaboration.”—CanLit for Little Canadians
“Rhythm, rhyme and alliteration make this an attractive toddler read....Bonus activities and information at the story’s end will especially appeal to parents and caregivers.”—Sherylbooks
““Windy Days”…captures the magic and beauty of autumn…. a perfect STEM primer for even the youngest of readers, with rhyming text guaranteed to keep readers engaged and curious throughout. Sato’s signature, collage-style illustrations are absolutely sensational….A fabulous fall frolic.”—@oliviathelibrarian
“5 out of 5 stars….The collage art style is absolutely phenomenal….There are so many tiny details in each scene that I could spend several minutes looking at each page. I am literally in awe of this gorgeous art!... The text is simple, but enchanting….The text flows along naturally, and is a delight to read out loud!”—Luminous Libro
