The Littlest Family's Big Day

PreS-Gr 2—A bear family find a home in the woods and set off on a "wander" through their new environment. Following the wind, they come upon a fairy-filled landscape. Using leaves as boats, they "wander on the water." When rain disrupts their picnic, they shelter under a mushroom until an owl arrives to carry them home. The text is printed in cursive, and while the prose is spare, Martin's word choice is unusual and delicious. Among other alliterative examples is her description of the family's day as a "wander " in the "wind" and the "wild" and the "warm." Even her use of the word wander for an outing, so similar to wonder, connotes an intent for the characters to really see the world around them. Long brushstrokes depict towering trees and grasses in the lovely illustrations, executed in a muted palette using acrylic on wood and gouache. They provide surprises on almost every page for readers to see and discuss (including the bears' different shades of fur). When viewed up close, the bears appear normal size. But when seen among huge trees, enormous grasses, leaves as big as boats, and fish as big as whales, they are tiny indeed. The owl that comes to their rescue fills the page as they strain to look up at it. Their flight home opens onto a striking gatefold that reprises the many creatures the family has encountered.