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Loading... Who's Been Here?: A Tale in Tracksby Fran Hodgkins
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The reader is invited to follow the paw prints of a rambunctious golden retriever and then identify his animal friends by studying their tracks in the snow. No library descriptions found. |
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Google Books — Loading... GenresMelvil Decimal System (DDC)813.01083629772Literature English (North America) American fiction By type Short fictionLC ClassificationRatingAverage:
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The rhythmic, simple language of this story has a gentle charm to it that makes it a perfect read-aloud on a snowy afternoon, or at bedtime. The educative aspect of the story is subtly delivered, and one can imagine the satisfaction of a young listener as he or she "guesses" which animals have appeared on the path with Willy. The humorous ending is appropriate even for very young listeners, especially if they have basic knowledge of common woodland animals.
Illustrations by Karel Hayes are both delicate and realistic, with a variety of perspectives and a lovely palette of wintry shades for the snowy landscape. Neither Willy nor the animals he encounters are anthropomorphized, yet their "emotions" are easily read in their faces and their actions. A rabbit appears timid and nervous as Willy rounds the corner and unknowingly comes closer, a bear appears sleepy after his jaunt around town. Willy himself is all boundless energy and innocent enthusiasm as he explores the wonder of his whole world blanketed in snow. Twiggy frames around the illustrations contain the action, while the white space outside is printed with the tracks of the various animals Willy meets, whose identities are revealed on the next pages in double page spreads (used to nice effect here).
This work makes a lovely addition to elementary school collections, and in addition to a story-time read-aloud, would be a nice book for early elementary teachers looking to kick off a unit on woodland biomes, or animals in winter. Contrast it with Ezra Jack Keats' urban take on snowfall in the city, The Snowy Day. Highly recommended. ( )