Quick Look
- A delightful snowy adventure with no words, which celebrates the joys of winter and encourages children to create their own narrative
- Gerda Muller's playful artwork is full of fine detail and deft humorous touches -- can you see a bunny hopping over the horizon or spot a missing ball?
- Fun endpapers reveal the mystery of who the footsteps belong to and what they've been doing -- gathering firewood, feeding the pony, chasing birds and peeing in the snow!
- Gerda is also the creator of A Year in Our New Garden, Where Do They Go When It Rains? and How Does My Garden Grow?
A clever wordless picture book where children follow footprints (and pawprints) to discover the fun that a child and dog have had in the snow. This is a charming, playful book from Gerda Muller, the beloved illustrator of the Seasons board books.
Description
On a snowy winter's morning, footprints trace a path from a child's unmade bed, past discarded clothes and breakfast dishes to the front door where they're joined by excited pawprints. But who else is making the footprints and what are they doing?
In this delightful wordless picture book, the story of a child and a dog enjoying the snow is told entirely through following their footprints. Readers will spot clues to the friends' adventures in the detailed and playful vintage illustrations by world-renowned illustrator Gerda Muller.
Reviews
'Humour and imagination have free reign in this cozy and engrossing book.'
-- The Horn Book
‘A mix of on-the-go footprints tell a quietly adventuresome story across a captivating winter landscape. Muller’s conceit ably succeeds without figures or words, lending an air of mystery to a season-specific outing.’
-- STARRED Publishers Weekly
'The throwback art is marked by absences that become representative of memories from a full, cozy winter’s day.'
-- Foreword Reviews
'A gorgeous, wordless picture book.'
-- Our Book Days, Instagram
'An amazing present for Christmas.'
-- Our World of Wonder, Instagram
'Beautifully illustrated by the wonderful Gerda Muller.'
-- Mammy Gittins, Instagram
'There are clues throughout to the owners of the various prints and what might be happening, but it is up to the reader to determine a narrative. I love how this invites the reader to carefully look at the illustrations, share a story, and use their imagination.'
-- My Storytime Corner, Instagram
Praise for A Year Around the Great Oak:
'Lovely.'
-- The Guardian
'An exquisite work of art with a timeless quality.'
-- Carousel
'Gerda Muller writes with a lightness of touch that beautifully offsets her detailed and warmly realised illustrations. A beautiful book about discovering the wonder of the woodland and finding profound enjoyment in it.'
-- Children's Books Ireland Recommended Reads
'Unpredictable, stimulating and ultimately confidence-inducing… Gerda Muller draws each activity and animal with great detail and attention.'
-- The New York Times
'A charming celebration of the changing seasons.'
-- Kirkus Reviews
Praise for How Does My Garden Grow?
'Gerda Muller's informative and interesting story makes an excellent option for kids who enjoyed her wordless seasonal board books but are old enough to want to know even more.'
-- Mighty Girl, book blogger
'A bright book to teach children where our food comes from.'
-- JUNO magazine
More praise for Gerda Muller:
'This is a beautiful re-telling of a classic tale, told with lively text and atmospheric and detailed illustrations. The design has a soft, nostalgic feel which works effectively with the well-loved story. The pictures are soft-focused and charming, with the most adorable bears and many surprising details to hold children's interest throughout. This is sure to become a favourite edition for a whole new generation of young children and would make a lovely gift to treasure.'
-- Armadillo on Goldilocks and the Three Bears
'Gerda Muller's illustrations of nature are accurately observed and beautiful to look at. It's great to see children depicted in outdoor play, these children are having fun, discovering nature whatever the weather! These chunky board books with no text are perfect for young children and a great introduction to the seasons.'
-- Kaleidoscope Magazine on the Seasons board books
'Join Sophie as she learns all about fruit! Through the seasons, readers will learn about everything from juicy cherries and plump peaches to bold figs and delicate olives.'
-- New York Botanical Garden on How Does My Fruit Grow?
Author
Gerda Muller is an acclaimed Dutch children's author and illustrator. Born in 1926 in Naarden, Netherlands, Gerda studied at the Fine Arts School of Amsterdam and L'École Estienne of Paris and has lived in France for over 70 years. Gerda's greatest inspiration is her love of nature and her picture books are treasured for their vibrant and detailed illustrations of the natural world. Gerda has illustrated over 120 books for children many of which have been translated into multiple languages. She is the creator of The Wildwood Elves, The Town Musicians of Bremen, The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Goldilocks and the Three Bears, the wordless Seasons board books, Where Do They Go When It Rains?, A Year Around the Great Oak, and A Year in Our New Garden, a USBBY Outstanding International Book.
