About This Book:
A young girl looks out on the world from her favorite chair in this “quiet meditation on the sweet delight of simply observing the changing world” (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) by award-winning poet and New York Timesbestselling author Rio Cortez.
In the morning, a young child opens her eyes, and, after one biiiiig streeeeetch, heads straight for her favorite place in the house: the blue velvet chair. Perched from the chair set by the living room window, the child daydreams about each season of the year and the changes that come with them. A now-snowy roof was once pelted by the slick rain of spring showers. Icy windows will once again transform into conveyors of sunshine and warmth against her skin.
And just as the seasons change, the child will continue to change too. But one thing will always remain the same: the coziness of the blue velvet chair.
*Review Contributed By Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer*
Look Through My Window
While adults have seen so many seasons come and go that it barely registered, changing seasons are a big deal for children. Favorite summer clothes are outgrown, and each new flower or falling leaf is a little bit of a surprise. I love that the girl is actively investigating her environment and taking note of how things are different every day. Her mother discussing the concept of time with her is brilliant as well. Even though so much has changed, it is good for her to have something constant, like the cozy blue velvet chair. She doesn’t need to know yet what lots of years will do to the upholstery!
The illustrations are bold and bright, and do a good job of capturing the changes in the world around the girl. It’s interesting to see what can be seen from one particular vantage point, and the window is a nice frame through which to view all of the different seasons and activities.
Taking note of the day, season, and weather is a critical skill that kindergartners need to master, so this book would be a good morning choice before starting the day. Pair this with Meisel’s My Happy Year, Deng’s A Song of the Seasons, Mettler’s A Year in Nature: Explore the Countryside, Month by Month, or Toht’s lovely Together With You.
