Review by Booklist Review
A series of woodland creatures breaches the fold of a farmyard at the forest's edge, their comings and goings over the course of a bucolic day detailed in rhyme and intricate art. "This is the hedge that grew and grew. / The wall of stone a bit askew. / They guard the yard. / The barn does, too. / While just outside, hills roll and rise / away off into the pines." Through gaps in stone and branches deer dash at dawn, lizards creep at midday, and bats swoop "as the full moon makes her bright debut." The soothing cadence of an impeccably crafted rhyme scheme plays on the cumulative "House That Jack Built" structure with a refrain, "away off into the pines," firmly anchoring the sylvan story. Lilting text includes pleasing repetition and sits in clean white spaces nestled amid Caldecott Medalist Krommes' signature, exceptionally detailed scratchboard-and-watercolor illustrations. Krommes breathes life into the woodland setting and wildlife she so meticulously portrays, with each double-page spread advancing the course of the day. Howes passed away suddenly in 2024, leaving this triumph among her legacy of uplifting STEM-centered works for children. Savor this standout during quieter reading moments and prepare to share it widely during nature-themed programming.
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
"This is the hedge that grew and grew./ The wall of stone a bit askew./ They guard the yard./ The barn does, too." Gracefully rhythmic verse from late creator Howes (The Reindeer Remainders) celebrates the in-between places through which animals steal. Striking scratchboard spreads show a farm surrounded by rolling hills and dense woods as Caldecott Medalist Krommes uses her signature medium--fine, meticulously etched lines tinged with watercolor against black backgrounds--to create atmospheric illustrations that pulse with dramatic contrast. A dawn spread shows a space where the stone wall has crumbled, creating a gap "where the deer slip through,/ when the sky is still more pink than blue." A doe and two fawns venture into the garden before retreating, and other secret places ("the hollow the rabbits squeeze through" and "the crack where the lizards creep through") join the first in building cumulative verses. At nightfall, the lines slow to a sigh, falling silent as humans and deer doze in this lilting hymn to the way woodland life can lurk in surprising places. Human characters are portrayed with pale skin. Ages 4--8. Author's agent: Essie White, Storm Literary. (June)
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Review by Horn Book Review
From sunrise to moonrise, a welcoming, cumulative narrative leads readers through a day on a farm. The opening illustration features a cozy, rolling landscape, where a stone wall and a "hedge that grew and grew" surround the farm; these "guard the yard. / The barn does, too." As the story and the day unfold, various creatures -- deer, rabbits, lizards -- quietly enter the yard one by one through a gap in the wall. Playful repetition brings attention to the animals, making them the true stars of the story. Humans are seen but are secondary, emphasizing the wild world around the farm. The late Howes's beautifully rendered descriptions of the natural world come to life through Krommes's signature scratchboard illustrations in a warm, earthy palette; they add a unique depth to each spread. Toward the end, an indoor bedtime scene compares life outside the window with a peaceful end to a child's day, offering a comforting conclusion. Julie DanielsonJuly/August 2025 p.74 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
Over the course of a day, various animals enter a farmyard and enjoy its manifold offerings. Arriving as the pink clouds replace the stars, the deer enter through openings in the hedges and stone wall: "Nibble and nudge / and startle and dash / away off into the pines." The text follows similar patterns as other creatures emerge from cracks and crevices to play or eat within the farm's enclosure. Rabbits "tumble and twitch." Doves "flurry and flap." Howes' lilting rhythm and rhymes flow effortlessly--a worthy accompaniment to Krommes' signature scratchboard and watercolor compositions, filled with texture and teeming with details not mentioned in the text: flitting bees and butterflies, nesting birds, and a busy, light-skinned family of three doing chores (and, in the case of the child, sometimes imitating the animals). As the sky darkens again and bats appear, listeners are invited into the youngster's room: "And this is the curtain that nighttime drew / between two days--the old and new." The rich language and striking images encourage multiple readings, while the soothing, cumulative cadence creates a lovely bedtime experience. Sensitive children will soon absorb the alliterative text, possibly repeating it in real-life moments. A visual and auditory delight.(Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
