In the Town All Year ‘Round by Rotraut Susanne Berner
This book may as well be titled Book that Henry and Eli will Become Obsessed With, though, I suppose, in that regard, maybe any kid will become obsessed with it, since Henry and Eli’s combined literary tastes likely cover all children. My aunt sent this book to the boys, and she definitely tapped into their brains with this one.
It’s a mostly-wordless book that follows the same spots in the same town through the seasons. It has cutaways of buildings and houses, which, I think, is a sure way to get kids to pore over your book for hours. For each season there are a number of things to look for: a fox on each page, for instance, or “Why does Suzie need to buy a new hat?” So then you find Suzie on each page and see what the story is with her hat. We’ve had this book for a few weeks now, and I think we’ve only just begun to look at it. If you have a child who is at all into the “I Spy” thing, or who likes wordless books with lots going on, or who is likely to be rapt by a cutaway of a house where you can peek into all the rooms (or a cutaway of a museum where you can see the exhibits change with the seasons…) then this book is for you. Thanks, Aunt Sandra!
Julie,
I’m very glad that the book was one that appealed to both boys! I thought it might be a winner when Bob looked at it and noted that he would enjoy spending time “reading” it! Happy New Year to you all! Love, Aunt Sandra