Annie Silvestro

I'm usually not a fan of "celebrations of libraries" picture books. I feel that if you already like the library they're superfluous (and a bit self-indulgent) and if you don't you're not going to encounter them anyways. But I do have a little bit of a weakness for cute animals discovering the joy of books and libraries, like Kohara's Midnight Library or Pauli's Fox in the Library.

This new title hit my adorable button right away. Bunny has been introduced to the wonder of books by listening show more to outdoor storytimes by the old library. But when summer ends and storytime moves back inside, he becomes desperate to get access to his beloved books. Finally, he figures out how to sneak in through the book drop and happily carries piles of books, a few at a time, back to his den. When his friends show up, one by one, he introduces them to the wonders of books (Bear is a little tricky to get through the book drop) and one by one they become equally enthralled.

But then the librarian discovers them! Will they be separated from their beloved books forever? Spoiler - of course not! The librarian gives them library cards and Bunny happily starts a book club for all his forest friends.

Soft, pastel colors show a sweet variety of large and small pictures, including delicate details in the woods and a diverse group of children and staff. My favorite is the little girl whose buoyant pigtails mimic Bunny's ears! The library is a little sentimentalized - the quiet group of listening children all look to be around 5 or 6 and the library has unnaturally tall shelves and an odd color scheme - but it's a dream library, not a real one, meant to show the importance and love of books for a small child (or a bunny).

Verdict: Not a necessary purchase, but I just loved it so much. The sweet pictures, delicate outdoor details, joy in books, and diverse library patrons and staff made me fall in love and I can't wait to introduce this on a school tour next year.

ISBN: 9780553537581; Published 2017 by Doubleday; Borrowed from another library in my consortium show less

The eponymous pine tree in this new holiday picture-book loved trains. She loved their speed, the sound of their click-clacking wheels, and the rush of wind that would shake her branches, when they would zoom past her corner of the tree farm where she was growing. When she is dug up one day and put inside a house, she isn't sure that she likes these new circumstances, and dreams of trains. Then she wakes Christmas morning and discovers a little train at her feet! It seems a dream come true, show more until the holiday ends and the train is taken away. Is this the conclusion, or is something even better in store...?

I confess that I picked up Annie Silvestro's The Christmas Tree Who Loved Trains a little dubiously, wondering at the idea of a tree (any tree) loving trains. Of course, a tree can love whatever it chooses, but it struck me as an odd juxtaposition. Having now read the story, it makes more sense, and it strikes me that part of what the tree likes about trains is being outdoors with them. The story here is engaging, and will undoubtedly appeal to young Christmas celebrants who also love trains. The accompanying artwork by Paola Zakimi is expressive and appealing. Recommended to anyone looking for Christmas stories that also feature trains, or in which the Christmas tree is replanted after the indoor celebrations. show less

Lucy the field mouse loves winter. She loves her cozy winter hat, exploring the snow, building snow mice, and her newest and most exciting discovery, ice skating! But she misses all her friends, who refuse to leave their cozy tunnels and burrows. So Lucy tries bringing winter to them, but indoor snowball fights are a failure and every time she tries to bring snow inside it just melts. It will take some hard work and careful consideration for Lucy to figure out a way to share winter with her show more friends in a way that they can all enjoy.

Teagan White, best-known for her cute woodland illustrations not only in books but also on fabric, stationery, and more, shines in this cozy woodland tale. The indoor scenes are set against a dark brown, almost black background while the outdoor winter scenes nestle against a soft cream. Delicate seeds, twigs, and other natural creations are joined by tiny hats, cards, and dishes to create a mouse-sized world that children will adore.

Annie Silvestro's debut picture book, Bunny's Book Club, managed to be sweet without cloying and she's repeated that success here, writing a story that has all the sweet warmth of a cup of chocolate on a winter day whilst still giving a feeling of sharp breezes and leafless trees.

Verdict: This sweet story is the perfect addition to a gentle winter storytime or for curling up with a little one as you watch the snow fall. A delightful second effort, I look forward to many more books from Silvestro and White.

ISBN: 9781454916321; Published 10-3-17 by Sterling; Borrowed from another library in my consortium; Purchased for the library show less

Lucy loves winter and loves sharing it with her friends. She tries to thank them by baking delicious pastries, but fails repeatedly and loses her temper. She realizes that not everything comes easily to everyone and asks her friends for their help.