Review Detail

4.8 1

The Blue Velvet Chair

Kids Fiction 191

Look Through My Window

April 10, 2026 (Updated: June 07, 2026)

Overall rating

4.0

Plot

4.0

Characters

4.0

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

A young girl has a comforting routine in her upper-floor, urban apartment. There is a comfortable blue velvet chair near a window that overlooks the street, and she enjoys sitting there and watching the changing scenery. Sometimes, it is snowy and cold, and she can draw in the condensation on the window. She and her mother talk about time, and how we not only tell it with clocks, but also pencil marks denoting height. The girl sees the seasons change from rainy to springlike, and sees people and pets on neighboring roofs when it is hot out. She loves autumn best, with its colorful leaves. At bedtime, she thinks about all of the wonderful ways that the world might be changed tomorrow.

Good Points

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.