Review Detail

ZANDER STAYS is an adorable and charming board book about making a change and winter. When all the birds are migrating, Zander decides to stay behind. As winter approaches, the other animals are making preparations, but none of them feel quite right to Zander. When it snows, he loves it at first, but soon finds himself in trouble - that is, until a child finds him and brings him home where he spends the winter warm and happy.

What I loved: This is a delightful board book about doing something different and finding your own path. The story also briefly introduces the concepts of how animals prepare for the winter (eg, migration, adding a layer of fat, storing food) to add some educational content. The ending adds a little humor as the birds all decide to stay the next year in the house with the child. The story is brief but conveys the plot well and moves quickly for little attention spans. This will work well for toddlers and up.

The soft illustrations capture the story perfectly and work alongside the text to tell the reader what is happening. They are just right, with plenty of detail to explore. The story is full of charm and is sure to be enjoyed by young readers.

Final verdict: ZANDER STAYS is a charming and fun board book about changing up plans, making new plans, and preparing for winter. Recommend for toddlers and up!