I'm so in love with this series and this is a standout. I'm used to the series being mostly seasonal vibes with often either a cute joke or a little aww moment in the end. If that is what you are expecting here, you won't be disappointed. However, I was surprised to find that First Spring did have some real heart to the story and I was really moved! It is a quick moment that gives everything else new meaning. Great storytelling. The art is impeccable as is always the case with the Beneath the Trees series. I would recommend this to anyone from ages 0 to 100. Probably my favorite in the series.

<b> Beneath the Trees </b> is a Children's picture book that will tug at your heartstrings.

The art style is colorful, expressive, and fun. Throughout the pages, you can clearly understand and deeply feel the papa pig and baby pig's emotions well. For me, it was a hard book to get through, being a mom with a child who has allergies, I kept wanting to yell to bring him back inside that he clearly doesn't want to be outside.

But, the ending was really were it tugged on my heartstrings. The connection between papa and baby was stronger than ever, but also sad.

5 Stars.

<b>Thanks to the publisher, Magnetic Press, the author, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC copy to read and review. Review will also be posted to my blog (www.kagoodsell.com/book-reviews), GoodReads, TikTok (@unearthingeco), as well as NetGalley reviews.</b>

It has to be said this last book in this series was read with a little reluctance, so much fun were the previous three looks at a slapstick comedy routine populated by animal characters in this particular wood. Here some warthog character takes his baby child into the meadows, but every time he tries to introduce the little critter to the simple act of picking flowers, or rustling up a spring of butterflies, the infant starts sneezing his guts up in vivid green flob everywhere. Funnily enough, so does the father when he gets caught in the rain with his business out there – but what business this actually is proves to be a really unexpected, poignant note not quite in keeping with the previous volumes. Taking the nature of this as different from the rest aside, it still is of really high quality, and the semi-wordless approach to cartooning is what we've seen before, as is the fun style and light comedic touch. Now all that needs to happen is for the publishers to get all four parts to the cycle within two covers – the price of them all individually has been shockingly prohibitive. A strong four stars, even if I doubt this will prove any child's favourite of the four; they have been of wonderful quality all told.

Beneath the Trees is a sweet story about a father warthog taking his baby warthog to gather flowers for mama (or trying anyway!).

The story told in this book is such a heartwarming one, even if I do wonder about how good of an idea it is to keep doing an activity that causes your baby's allergies to flare up badly. As Mr. Warthog tries, again and again, to take his baby warthog flower-picking, you can tell in that he cares very much for his baby's mother and his baby as well. Despite the allergies, upsets, and rain, he persists! I might've nearly shed a tear or two by the end.
The illustrations are adorable and warm, reminding me of some illustrated children's books I was read as a child myself. This art styles is one of my favorites which enhanced the reading experience for me, and I'd definitely purchase it for my own collection or for a friend with a child.

*I was given a copy of this title via NetGalley in return for an honest review.

This is the last part in a four-book series.
Each standalone story takes place in the same forest, but during a different season of the year.

Not so long ago I read 'Beneath the Trees: A Fine Summer', the third installment in this series.
It was my first acquaintance with Dav (real name: David Augereau; ° 1979), the French scenarist and illustrator.
His drawing style and the story enchanted me and a 4*-rating was evident.
My review can be read at: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4745850057.

So when this new book was available at Netgalley I was really enthusiastic to dive further in this Disney-like world Dav created.
But, unlike most other reviewers, I was disappointed.

Even though I preferred the variety of scenery and the more detailed drawings of the previous book, the art was still beautiful.
There's no doubt that Dav is a very gifted illustrator!

The content on the other hand was a big letdown.
Not only is it very repetitive, but for me it also didn't really have a spring-vibe as the story is drenched in sadness.
But my biggest gripe of all is that it's sending totally wrong messages to young children.
Some examples:
- Although the child in the story has hay fever, the father insists to go out with him, day after day after day. Allergies don't go away by continually exposing someone to the source. On the contrary.
- When the father got stung by bees, the child can't stop laughing at his father's swollen face. Wouldn't it be better to make children aware of the danger such stings can represent? And isn't there something like empathic concern?

For me, a children's picture book must be a symbiosis of nice pictures and a good story.
The latter wasn't the case here and thus the overall rating of 2*.
Nevertheless, I'll keep an eye on the new works Dav will release in the future.


*Thanks to NetGalley, Magnetic Press and Diamond Book Distributors for providing a digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This has beautiful illustrations and it a great wY to talk about new beginnings!

This is a really adorable graphic novel that although short and quick to finish, delivered a heartwarming story on top of the great art.
I initially thought the father was just insistent on the baby going outside for socializing, but it has a deeper meaning that I'm glad I didn't figure out earlier than the author intended to. Highly recommended for anyone looking for a comfort read.

Review to come July 19th on blog/goodreads.

I received this book from Netgalley/publisher in exchange of an honest review.

Back in May I was delighted to read Beneath the Trees: A Fine Summer and loved that one, so I was happily surprised when in June I saw a new book in the series which was about the first spring, a bit weird that they first upped summer and then spring, but I will take it because more Beneath the Trees is always good. The series is just too adorable and fun.

A beautiful and heart-breaking book, that was what this was. Dav did it again! In this book we meet a father swine and his baby. He is seemingly doing all the parenting all alone and we see how he tries to get his kid outside... though quickly finds out that his kid is very allergic to outside stuff. Which was just so sad and relatable. I know that feeling little one. Sneezing when the pollen go up in the air. Sneezing because of flowers and plants. As an adult I can live with it, but I can imagine how a baby just doesn't know what to do with it and just cries. Cries until it tires itself out and then falls asleep. Poor thing. I did love how the dad didn't give up, even when he was feeling pretty hopeless about it all. He just wants to go out with his kid, show him the world, pick flowers for mom, and everything ends in tears. I just wanted to step in the book so badly, I just wanted to give him a hug, tell him it would be fine. Eventually.

As for the mom and picking flowers... I quickly realised where the mom actually was, but seeing it being confirmed on page 31 of my copy just broke my heart. Awww, this poor duo. :(

The art is just gorgeous and I love the style. Dav can really convey a story with mostly just images which is amazing.

All in all, a beautiful, but heart-breaking volume in the Beneath the Trees series, I cannot wait to see what is next. I do hope that the next is less sad though, haha.

This was such a cute story filled with life lessons that every child should read about from a young age. I thought the illustration was adorable as well. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Very emotional and wonderful graphic novel. My favorite art style too. Disney has also played an important part in my life and these pages are filled with wonder. It could have been a silent comic and we still would have got the story and the full range of emotions. Love the scenery and the expressions. Very clover to focus on a simple task as collecting flowers and sneezing a lot to take the store to such a strong ending. Thank you Netgalley and publisher for the chance to give my honest opinion.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Beneath the Trees by Dav is a delightful children's graphic novel. The story revolves around Mr. Warthog and his baby boy as they enjoy the beginning of spring and different seasons. According to the description, this book series "paints a tender and colorful portrait of everyday Life, showing that behind every flaw or weakness can lie charm and strength."

Overall, Beneath the Trees is a lovely children's graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Disney or Looney Tunes. One highlight of this book is how heartwarming the story is. I liked watching the father and baby interact. I did take off 1 star, because I wasn't a huge fan of the art style. I'm also not the target audience. If you're intrigued by the description, you can check out this book when it comes out in August!

The Beneath the Trees books are always so cute and this was no exception. A precious picture book showing the excitement of exploring as Spring blossoms to life all around.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review is in exchange for an honest review.

Coming August 2, 2022!

Nice and sweet graphic novel with beautiful illustrations. The overall story was touching, but not sure if the approach made the most sense... Maybe exposing your child to allergies is not a battle you're going to win because you keep trying.
The characters could have encountered a bee while picking flowers and the child was scared of them and that's why they cry would be an approach that make more sense...
Overall, cute children book with really nice art.

Beneath the Trees had me tearing up at the end of the story! The illustrations are beautiful and the feeling of spring embraces you as you read through this story. I really enjoyed the graphic novel aspect of the book combined with the whimsical illustrations.

The story between a young warthog dad and his son is touching and bittersweet. It shows the heart of a dad who wants to enjoy spring with his son and pick flowers but hits roadblocks along the way. We walk with the dad through his longing, his frustration, his resignation, and then his hope and happiness throughout it all.

I really loved this book! Thank you NetGalley and Magnetic Press for the advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

A bitter-sweet story about the ups and downs of parenting.

I have now read all four books of this series. They cover the four seasons, and the drawings are by the same illustrator, yet I had different feelings when reading each book. Autumn was grumpy and funny, winter was silly and sentimental, summer was rejuvenating, and spring is bitter-sweet. They definitely show us how diverse and colourful life is, still, I am missing a stronger link between the four books.

Thank you NetGalley and Diamond Book Distributors / Magnetic Press for the Advance Review Copy.

Thank you, Diamond Book Distributors, for the advance review copy.

I loved reading the first two books and I absolutely adore the father son duo here!

Love the illustrations. The story is a little sad at parts. But it's a feel good storybook celebrating family and the nature. Waiting for the next season's part!

Beneath the Trees is a cute story told comic-strip style about a young warthog and his dad. I loved the allergies the child kept having, it was so funny! the illustrations reminded me of older cartoon strips I used to read. Very cute story.