I really loved this! The illustrations are beautiful and the feeling th books gives is so cosy. Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the free eARC in exchange for my honest opinions.

Would rate higher but the version that downloads to the Kindle the words did not always aline with the picture. For example, some of the sentences that go with a picture are on a completely different page (animals being the chickadees, oxen,squirrels,ravens)The art style is like a sketch/watercolor which works great for this book. It's a cute, fun, and easy read for a counting&nature themed book. It's length is perfect to keep kids attention. There is some fun facts about the animals at the end of the book as well.

At the right age, counting books—as in books where the story is the reader counting objects—are always lots of fun.

One hears/reads the text, and then gets lost in the image counting and observing everything the artist has created for us.

Counting Winter excels in the art side of things. The illustrations are beautiful and bold and they feel alive even if the shapes and colors aren’t exactly those in nature.

Is the thickness of the lines and the richness of the colors that makes this, a book about winter and the wonderful creatures that survive it in the wild, feels so true to the world.

Count to twelve as you peek through twelve wonderful windows into a winter wonderland.

Counting Winter is such a beautiful book that combines whimsical illustrations with rhyming text. I love that this manages to cover counting, animals, seasons, and vocab words - there are great descriptive adjectives on every page. At the end is an animal profile page so you can learn more about each animal. This is a great way to make this book go from toddler to big kid - it can span ages! The illustrations feel very unique and folky and match the vibe set forth by the author's inspiration of her time in Alaska. I think this is a great book to add to your winter seasonal shelf.

Very artistic and pretty illustrations! I really like books for children that allow them to count the images as this one does. The facts at the end of the book are a great bonus as well!

We will start of this review by thanking NetGalley and the Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

4 out of 5 stars.

'Counting Winter' by Nancy White Carlstrom, illustrated by Claudia McGehee is a childrens counting book about winter.

Firstly, I'd like to make a comment about the art and illustrations: The description of the art in this book did nothing to explain the actual depth of the work done. McGehee is extremely talented and with Nancy's prose the book just comes together perfectly.

I would like to make a suggestion, to use world children actually understand, and that parents can actually pronounce without struggling. I think it was number two, I can't quite remember.

But as a while this book it would be fantastic for any beautiful library.

Oh my goodness the illustrations in this book are wonderful!

The book is well written and it has a lovely poetry to the verses but the illustrations for me are stand out and what makes the book so good, I read the book with my daughter who has just turned 7 and she really enjoyed it. There are some fairly developed words in it and she loved learning new words too from the book and their meanings.

It was a complete pleasure to read and I can see the book being one that becomes a firm favourite and a welcome addition to any bookcase.

It is 5 stars from me for this one - very highly recommended!

Synopsis: A counting book done with unique illustrations, immersed in the wild, snowy outdoors.

Favourite Scene: I loved the animal profiles near the end. I would hang that on my wall.

Enjoyment Rating: FOUR STARS
I enjoyed looking at these illustrations, and the text was fun to read aloud. One of those ‘roll off the tongue’ experiences.

Weak Points: Whenever I come across another counting book, a part of me wonders if it could possibly be worthwhile. It took me a little bit to get into the rhythm of the text (which was easier once I read it aloud).

Ponder Rating: FOUR STARS
The illustrations were fun to look at, which counts as pondering in my definition. Gave me a sense of wonder about the outdoors and made me excited for SNOW!

Conclusion: The scratchboard/watercolour techniques of the illustrator suites the subject matter of snow and cold. The text was fun to read.

Book Review: Counting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom & Claudia McGehee

Rating: 5 Stars

As winter settles in, there's something truly magical about snuggling up with a good book that captures the essence of the season. Counting Winter by Nancy White Carlstrom, with the exquisite illustrations by Claudia McGehee, has quickly become one of my favorite books I have reviewed so far this year. This book is not just a counting book; it’s a captivating journey through the snowy landscapes of Alaska, celebrating the wildlife that thrives in this frosty wonderland.

In Counting Winter, we follow a delightful array of creatures as they make their presence known against the backdrop of soft, white snow. The story begins with one red fox stealthily traversing the glimmering surface. Then, two chatty ravens burst into the scene, their croaky voices bringing life to the quiet winter air. As we turn the pages, we meet three playful snowshoe hares leaping gracefully, and four red squirrels eagerly munching on their winter stash of cones. Each line is infused with poetic charm, inviting readers to notice how every creature contributes to the tapestry of winter life.

What truly sets this book apart is Claudia McGehee’s stunning illustrations. Her scratchboard art is nothing short of breathtaking, bringing to life the beauty and intricacy of each animal and its environment. You can almost feel the chill in the air and hear the crunch of snow underfoot as you read. It’s a visual feast that perfectly complements Nancy’s rhythmic text, making it a joy to read aloud, especially on those chilly days when you just want to curl up with a warm drink.

In my opinion, COUNTING WINTER is one of the most beautiful counting books I’ve ever seen. It’s not just about numbers; it’s about experiencing the rhythm of winter and appreciating the wonders that come with it. Whether you're a parent looking for a seasonal addition to your child's library or someone who simply loves nature, this book is a must-have. So bundle up, grab a cozy blanket, and dive into the enchanting world of winter with Counting Winter. You won’t regret it!

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

A very good counting/nature book, one perfectly suited to portray the animals of the snowy Alaskan wildernesses. Each animal gets a large double-paged spread, and just a tiny paragraph of poetic writing, giving us an increasing number each time, and a sense of what the critters are doing. This is where it gets more crafted as regards the text – it is almost hard to see how a certain beast is "suddenly taming winter", but we have to take it on board that they are. Principal in my consideration is the visual style, which looks so like a woodcut – but the explanation from the artist proves just how it was all done. You might say it has much less appeal for those not living in or visiting Alaska, and perhaps the text is a touch too hard to immediately spot, so closed-in is it by the artwork at times, but this is still a strong and healthy four stars.

I got this in the hopes my eight year old would enjoy it. She did but it was a bit too quick and easy for her age and would be better for a little younger. Prek and kindergarten. Good illustrations and fun animals the discuss.

This was a cute winter counting book. Perfect for preschool-1st grade. I can also see this being used for a science curriculum with discussing the different animals throughout the story.

This is a beautiful book about animals in winter. As the season changes into winter we see how different animals handle the snow and cold.
The illustrations are in muted but beautiful colors, perfect to represent winter.

Thanks NetGalley for this ARC.

This cozy picture book counts up to 12 wintery animals in a wooden block print-style of illustrations. I am obsessed with the illustrations, but several of the "[verb] winter" phrases felt awkward to me (ex. squirrels "cracking winter", voles "hiding winter", etc.). There is an extra spread to give a few more facts about each animal noted throughout the book. Because our nature picture book section is so popular and these illustrations are so great, I will probably purchase it despite that quirk.

From one red fox through twelve excited children, this delightful counting book looks like woodcuts from the Far North. There is even a fine page of animal profiles. Wonderful!
The deceptively simple illustrations by Claudia McGehee are brilliantly colored, and fun.
Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age including ESL, and great for gifting to anyone, but especially to a school, or your public library!
I requested and received a free temporary digital advance review copy on Adobe Digital Editions from
Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company via NetGalley. Thank you!

I really love the illustrations in this book! They are done by the same artist who did Creekfinding, a book that I have at work! This is a nice, simple way of combining easy counting with winter critters for little kiddos!

You literally want to dive into the pages. The illustrations are incredible and really speak to the story. Highly recommend this children’s book.

I may be child free but as an Aunt and a Godparent I have bought my fair share of counting books. Counting Winter is hand down the most engaging and beautifully illustrated story in the genre! This will be my new go to gift for young children for years to come!

What a beautifully illustrated book with so much information about different winter animals.
My son was repeating the animals' names as we counted them on every page.
It's a great winter book, makes me yearn for cooler months.

As is my usual custom, I flipped through the book initially to get a feel for the illustrations. I was impressed. As I skimmed through again, this time for the words, I was doubly impressed. My immediate take was that the author and illustrator just had to be from my chosen home of Alaska or, at the very least, places north. As it turned out, I was basically right. While the illustrator lives in Iowa City and has visited Alaska, the author is a former resident of Alaska and still has family there. Whether you've ever lived or visited Alaska, of course, if you live where there is snow, many of these scenes will look familiar. And, before you ask why no bears, it's winter. Bears hibernate, thus they're unlikely sightings in winter. Not impossible but rare. Even Alaska's moose don't get a page for themselves albeit can be spotted on, say, the chickadee page.

In any case, by now I'm sure you've figured out that I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Not only do you get to help your child learn to count via illustrations but they will learn a bit about the wildlife pictured, too. The lyrical test for each is short but manage to convey both a bit about the animal pictured and how they may react to the arrival of winter. There's a chart at the end with each of the animals the child will meet with more information, too, an added bonus.

There's a great deal to look for in the illustrations, too, which are described as sketchbook art. While quite realistic, there's just enough whimsy involved to add a touch of magic and fun. My favorite was the musk ox illustration. Nope. Not telling you why except to say it'll probably draw a smile from even the most serious minded child. Also, although I was reading on my phone and didn't try to check, but my hunch is that each individual snowflake that appears is exactly that, individual in design, just like real snowflakes. In other words, this book seems to have been done with love and care and it shows. It'd make a great gift, too, and just looking at the pictures should inspire the child to make up their own stories at times. Thanks #NetGalley and #Wm.B.EerdmansPublishingCompany for sharing this delightful work of winter reality and magic with me. I love it!