The animals of the forest learn a storm is coming and prepare their cozy homes to wait the storm out. However, as they sit in their comfy, warm homes, a pair of bears ask to join them for a safe place to stay. The other animals refuse to help, saying they don't have fire, or food, or space. Except for Little Fox, whose family might need some help later on. I like the message of helping others and that the bears were willing to help even though nobody would help them. The illustrations are pretty watercolors and I like the way the wind and glow of the fires really make you feel like you are there.

Note: I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley. I was not compensated in any other fashion for the review and the opinions reflected below are entirely my own. Special thanks to the publisher and author for providing the copy.

Shelter tells the story of a family in need of help and having a hard time finding it. However, fear not, it ends well! It's a sweet story and has cute illustrations. I will definitely consider purchashing this book when teaching my class about compassion! Thanks to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for the ARC.

In my first-grade classroom my students love to be read to… especially those with animals in them. As the story progresses the pictures themselves give you the feeling that the storm is drawing near! I can almost visualize the expressions they will have as I read it to them! The rejection that the bears must feel when no one will let them in… how cold they must be in the midst of this terrible storm… the gratitude they have for the fox’s gift… the fear the fox family has when their home is in danger…

Discussing generosity and kindness towards others is something that we all need to be reminded of sometimes. What a huge difference in can make in our lives!

The animals are all getting ready for a big storm. They have closed their doors and are making their dens cozy and warm. Two strangers arrive out of the blustery wind and begin to ask at each door for shelter. They have tea to offer, but one after another the neighbors all say no. The little fox though heads out with a lantern for them, but nothing more. As the snow begins to fall, the strangers know they will be fine. But the fox family’s shelter is failing due to the weight of the snow. Soon they are outside in the falling snow and asking for help themselves. Who will help them?

This book explains with a gentle tone and a non-didactic approach about the failure of community when it becomes isolationist and the power of kindness and compassion for those in need. After all, one might become the ones who need help eventually. The illustrations by Leng glow on the page. They show the lovely families together and their warmth with one another and the love they have. That is then turned quickly on its head as they turn away the strangers. A strong and simple tale that will lead to important discussion. Appropriate for ages 4-6.

A sweet set of illustrations with a strong moral lesson about sharing, judgement, and social responsibility. Its the sort of book one might read with older kids to spark a conversation, perhaps to reinforce the message in a novel.

Shelter is a gentle fable (originally published in French) that contains beautiful and absorbing artwork, full of earth tones and winter blues. In a forest neighborhood, a storm is coming. The animals get ready, but when a pair of strangers show up asking for shelter from the cold, they receive very mixed reactions -- but as the storm worsens, one family finds themselves needing shelter too.

Different people will probably take different messages from this story (some reviewers see a possible "climate change" statement here since the visitors are polar bears), but for me the takeaway is that the best way to receive is through giving, and that compassion can breed more compassion.

I thought the story was well told. Sometimes, the more important the message, the easier it can be for storytellers to communicate in heavy-handed ways, but I believe that was mostly avoided here, because the story can stand on its own. I assume the heart of this story is related to the current global refugee crisis, and if that's the case then this is a timely story indeed.

The strength of this book lies in its illustrations, which are really beautiful. The story for me, was a little sentimental and slow but that is simply personal choice. The book has a nice message and would make a snuggly bedtime story.

Shelter is a story about community and coming together. I love a feel-good story. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Is a great moral for this story. The kindness of strangers is emphasized here, despite being turned away themselves, the two brothers cheerfully welcome the fox family into their shelter for the evening.

The illustrations are gorgeous, yet simple and do not overpower the story. I highly recommend this book for all.

Overall this is a great story for those looking to teach children about acceptance and helping those in need. The only way to help children develop empathy is to teach them. The smallest gesture can bring a group of people together, all it takes is a step. This is the perfect book to help with that task.

A storm's approaching, and two strangers - brothers - arrive in the forest. They stop at several animal family homes, offering a trade for shelter; they have tea, can anyone offer them some food? A place to ride out the storm? We see each family, safe and with full larders, turn them away. A young fox feels terrible about this, and runs out to give the brothers a lamp, which they use to find shelter. But as fate would have it, the storm is even more trouble than the families expected, and soon, they're asking the brothers for shelter: which is cheerfully given. This kind, moving story about kindness and succor is perfect for illustrating the power of empathy. Qin Leng's watercolor and ink illustrations are soft and gentle, a perfect match for Céline Claire's quiet narration. Shelter offers the perfect opportunity to talk about putting kind thoughts into practice; whether it's sharing with others or offering friendship to someone who needs it.

With lovely illustrations reminiscent of the ones in books I read when I was a little girl, this book is what I believe is missing today in children's books, the stories that we were told when we were kids. Those that provide food for thought and serve as a valuable tool to teach moral lessons.

*thank you to Kids Can Press and Netgalley for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

4 stars.
This childrens picture book is so beautiful. The story is one about generosity and helping others in times of trouble. If somebody needs your help, dont turn them away, because you may end up yourself needing their help in the future. This is a very good thing to be teaching children. The illustrations are simply gorgeous and they go beautifully with the story. There is also a feeling of pure comfort in this book. Definitely worth reading. I will be keeping an eye out for any of this author's other books.

*An ARC of this book was provided to me by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.*

A beautifully illustrated picture book about community and helping others in need. Short and sweet and lovely.

This book is just lovely; the illustrations, the story, just all around lovely. It tells a heartwarming tale about the kindness (and unkindness) of strangers. We meet a group of forest dwellers who are all preparing for a storm. They make fires, store food and prepare their homes. When the storm rolls in they see two strangers who are caught outside. The strangers move from home to home looking for shelter and are denied time and time again. Finally, as they are left with no more options they set out to make what shelter they can and as they do they are met with a small gift from Little Fox. Little Fox will soon learn that generosity repays itself in kind.

Shelter by Céline Claire is a lovely book reminding us that we can do better than others do to us. There is also the idea of a little child will lead, in this case a little fox. After reading this with my grandchildren, we discussed why the author had Little Fox give the gift to the Brother Bears. Was his family in agreement will what he did or did they even know? Also, what might have happened differently of he had not. We all agreed that the “strangers” seemed to act in character and might have well still done their good deed anyway.

It was fun to guess what sort of bear the “strangers” were as they went door to door adding a bit of mystery to this story of kindness. What a delight to guess right as the snow storm came. Easy guess for the six-year-old but a thinking one for three-year-old.

The art work has a lovely watercolor painted effect that enhances the feel of the coming storm. The text is short but expressive. First semester second grade readers should find this text easy enough but children much younger will enjoy the story read to them, especially since the idea of a kind deed is ageless.

The publisher through Net Galley provided a copy.

Absolutely delightful book about caring for one another in times of need! I am reading it in the days after a vast swath of south Texas is experiencing the tragic results of a natural disaster. Shelter beautifully illustrates the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive, and that hoarded resources are not our true treasures - friends and neighbors are. The story of Shelter is timeless and the artwork is stunning.

Tried to download this on a number of devices and had no luck - therefore couldn't review

Two strangers appear in the woods one night as the residents scurry to prepare for the coming storm. It seems no one has room or food to spare for the strangers. But when one of the resident families has a catastrophe and ends up out in the storm themselves, will the strangers be willing to do them a good turn?

A rather poignant look at how we treat others, especially in moments of crisis. Are we willing to share and reach out in kindness, or do we get selfish? And do we treat others the way they’ve treated us, or the way we wish they’d treat us? This short picture book should cause some soul searching in both young and old who read it while at the same time providing a heart-warming story featuring some charming forest creatures.

(This will be posted at the link below on Sept 19.)

Over breakfast, everyone catches up on the latest news: A STORM IS COMING!

But all is well. The animals are safe and sound in their homes.

"What if others are still outside?" Little Fox asks.


This is a beautifully illustrated book with a deceptively simple message. Two bears are searching for shelter as a storm blows in. Each household they ask has a reason (or excuse) why they cannot come in. One child offers them something to help them ,even though they cannot give them shelter. This small kindness is repaid in full, when that child's family need help.

First of all, I love the colours used in the illustrations, from the warm autumnal colours used before the storm, to the colder, darker colours used as the weather blows in. I liked how the bears reacted to the snowstorm and the fact that Little Fox, in the way of so many children, says what others might be thinking.

On the surface the message for children is that of sharing and helping one another in times of need. I did wonder, on a second reading, if there was any significance to the animals looking for shelter being polar bears - could it be they have had to leave their home because of global warming?

As this is a topic I have discussed with my Year 3 class, bringing in a number of books about environmental awareness, I would like to read this book with them, observing if they notice anything about the characters and drawing out those connections. Children might also pick up on how the adults in each scenario lie ("We have no food!" when there is clearly a lot). This could also be an interesting discussion point in a time when the media is saturated with negative stories about immigration - what exactly is it that people are afraid of? What are they trying to protect?


"The wind is cold and the night is dark. In exchange for some cookies, would you share your shelter with us?"



What I liked: Illustrations, message of empathy, environmental and political links that could be drawn out

Even better if: Think it is perfect just as it is!

How you could use it in your classroom: Could be read alongside other books to highlight environmental issues (Why have the polar bears been forced from their home?), or to discuss immigration (Why might someone seek shelter in another country?). Could also be read with younger children simply for the main message of sharing and empathy.

(Links to blog review and goodreads review will be added closer to the publication date)

I wanted to like this book so much. The premise is good and the illustrations sweep you along, but the story feels unfinished. It seems as though all the animals should have needed the help of the brothers.