Review Detail

What worked:
The narrator’s voice is written in the present tense and tells the story of Beti’s life with her family and friends in the woods. It’s divided into four sections based on the four seasons. The author connects the different sections by opening with the same two paragraphs in a repetitive format. The short stories in each part then develop into their own plots. An “Author’s Note” in the book's first pages informs readers that she lived a life of “… magic, and of mud” in a roundhouse built in the woods of Wales. It seems that experience has inspired her to write this book.
The writing style is very simple and easy to read and will most appeal to emerging middle-grade readers. Each season’s story concerns a possible common occurrence when living in the woods. For example, Beti’s birthday is celebrated during the Spring but her party doesn’t turn out as she expects. Her main gift is a goat and its baby and these curious, energetic pets add confusion and mayhem to Beti’s expectations. In the Summer, Beti is grouchy from watching her little brother so her father asks her to retrieve some water from where it’s stored daily. However, the baby goat, appropriately named Naughty, complicates this everyday chore and Beti needs help from her friends to complete it.
The wholesomeness of Beti’s life and the author’s artful descriptions of nature are the most endearing parts of the book. The true love displayed by Beti and her family never falters even when they experience rocky moments. The woods come to life through the author’s carefully crafted words. This is highlighted in the Autumn story when Beti is stuck in a torrential rainstorm she calls a dragon. It “spits rain onto her clutching hands” and “tugs the raincoat out of her fingers.” The dragon “snatches her shout away” and it roars at her and pushes her back. The author sketches vivid mental pictures throughout the book for readers to enjoy.
What didn’t work as well:
References to modern technology don’t work. The setting feels secluded in the woods and everything Beti does focuses on nature and family. Referencing a cell phone or city traffic stands out and taints the beautiful images of flowers, trees, and wildlife. Including signs of civilization emphasizes the importance of enjoying the people and surroundings in the present but the mention of technology doesn’t fit the overall setting. It’s not necessary.
The final verdict:
This book would be excellent for reading aloud as the author’s descriptions come to life. The positive messages and lack of complexity make it a perfect fit for young middle-grade readers. I recommend you give it a shot.