Do I Have to Wear a Coat?

PreS-Gr 1--Isadora's latest offering begins by listing all the seasons and then asking; "Do I have to wear a coat?" First up is spring and viewers learn that the weather is delightful, new farm babies are born, and it's a perfect time to play outside and smell the flowers. However, when it rains in the spring, out come the raincoats. Next comes summer, full of ice cream and camping outside and going to the beach; there is no mention of a coat. Fall and winter are covered in the final pages with scenes of all their beauty and multiple activities that they offer; here the text mentions wearing sweaters in the fall and the necessity for a coat in the winter. The book hosts a lovely cast of adorable children interacting in each season. Every other page has the four seasons listed on the top with the "featured" season in a larger font with a distinct color. VERDICT A solid primer to introduce the seasons, but not an essential purchase.--Amy Nolan, St. Joseph Public Library, MI

Copyright 2020 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

"This pleasant picture book highlights activities that children enjoy as the seasons cycle through the year. . . . Isadora's illustrations, rendered in fine ink lines with bright watercolor washes, have a fresh, airy quality and a cheerful tone. A good book for starting discussions about the seasons and sharing with young children at any time of year."—Booklist

"As children fling open their doors to run outside, the titular question comes to mind: 'Do I have to wear a coat?' . . . Various vignettes of diverse tots explore spring, summer, fall, and winter. . . . Isadora explores the seasons not only through outerwear, but also activities that are intimate and familiar to those who experience these seasons. . . . Children will feel each season deeply, with or without their coats! A fresh perspective on a cyclical topic."—Kirkus Reviews

"Isadora walks youngsters through each season, repeating the lively vignette-sequence format employed in her I Hear a Pickle. . . . [Readers] will also be tickled by the bits of dialogue in many vignettes. . . . Friendly line and watercolor art features a multiracial and multiabled batch of kids and a generous sprinkling of loyal little pups; there's the occasional parental guest appearance, but mostly this is kids out and about in enticing scenarios that viewers will long to join."—The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Hosts a lovely cast of adorable children interacting in each season. . . . A solid primer to introduce the seasons."—School Library Journal

"Isadora's characteristic ink and watercolor art uses vignettes set against white backgrounds to show children joyfully experiencing the changing seasons. . . . Brief text and coordinating illustrations highlight the distinct natural elements and activities that each season brings."—The Horn Book