Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms (Fletcher the Fox)

Introduced in "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves", the cute little fox Fletcher now discovers spring. Seeing blossoms swirling through the airBeeke renders them as a flurry of white smudgesFletcher becomes convinced that the snow has returned. Feeling bouncy [and] full-of-importance, he sounds the alarm to his forest comrades, who are not a little peeved when they realize Fletchers mistake. All is quickly forgiven as they revel in the glories of the season: The animals scooped up pawfuls and clawfuls of blossoms from the ground, and covered him in a tickly shower of fluttering white petals! The distinctly British lilt of Rawlinsons prose should prove captivating for preschoolers. But its Beeke who gives this book its reason for being. Working in her signature naïf style, she gives each character a vivid personality (the steadfast porcupine and slacker rabbits are particularly memorable) and conjures up an irresistible forest: bathed in warm greens and yellows, punctuated with impish bursts of color, and just imposing enough to be a suitable setting for adventure. Ages 37. "(Feb.)" Copyright 2009 Publishers Weekly Used with permission.

PreS-Gr 2Fletcher the fox wanders through the woods, enjoying the colors and sounds of spring, until he sees what appears to be snow falling in the orchard. He hurries to warn Porcupine, Squirrel, the rabbits, and birds that winter is returning. When all of the animals arrive at the orchard to see the storm for themselves, they discover that Fletcher has seen blossoms falling from the trees. Although this book does not have the emotional depth of "Fletcher and the Falling Leaves" (HarperCollins, 2006), every page of this simple tale is full of warmth. Rawlinson writes lyrically, almost poetically, and the text dances with rhythm, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. "The woods were full of the chirping, bustling, singsong sounds of spring." Beeke's painterly, almost impressionistic, illustrations shine with spring colors and enhance the meaning and flow of the story. She speckles bright yellows, blues, and greens with deep red and pale pink to give the pictures vibrancy. This is a great book to share one-on-one or with a class to celebrate the season."Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT" Copyright 2009 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"Preschoolers will love being in on the joke, even as they marvel at the bright petals that herald the astonishing beauty of spring."—ALA Booklist