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!

Thank you, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, for the advance reading copy.

The book is gorgeous inside out!

This book will help the you in teaching basic counting, some common animals and birds at Alaska with a few terms used generally to the very young readers.

The illustrations are unique and it is quite appealing with the choice of colours used.

Totally recommended.