Hello, friends! Our book today is A Walk in the Woods, written by Caroline L. Thornton and illustrated by María Finchenko, a sweet indie title about recognizing and celebrating one’s talents.

Bunny’s day begins with a sunny sky and a playful attitude. Yet as she observes her friends, the birds, fluttering around the sky, she feels a twinge of sadness – bunnies can’t fly. She feels this same lament when she views her friend the toad swimming, and again when her bird friends begin to sing. And for all the fine adventures that Bunny has that day, it seems that there are still so many things that bunnies cannot do. It will take a wise old owl console the young bunny and get her to see that her talents are worthy of their own salute.

Lovely. Thornton’s easy, well-flowing rhymes and Finchenko’s gorgeous pastoral illustrations combine to create a story with warmth and purpose. The theme is a classic, and Bunny realizing her self-worth in the final pages is immensely satisfying, especially as the groundwork for it had been subtly laid throughout the story. The soft, dynamic, and passionate artwork has a distinct style that sets it apart from many indie titles, where the illustration is often treated as an afterthought. A vocabulary guide and fun bunny facts are suitable and edifying backmatter. The length is good for an elementary storytime, bordering on long; JJ greatly enjoyed the story, but started getting squirmy near the end. Overall, this is a well-crafted story that is definitely worth a look; Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to The Baby Bookworm by the author in exchange for an honest review.)