It's Busy Down in the Woods Today by Rachel Piercey

 The moment I saw today's read, I had to get my hands on a copy...but when I received my copy in the mail, I was over the moon. I haven't read it yet. I haven't even opened the cover to peek inside because I'm just enjoying the anticipation of diving in first. So, why am I so excited? Well, not only does the cover hint at tons of details in lovely illustrations (and I do love searching details), but it's also beautifully bound with cloth on the edge and the vine/flowers are in gold. It just gives a high quality and special impression.

But since a book isn't formed by it's cover, I guess it's finally time to sit down and see if my expectations are met or not.

(Note: This one is heading to my possible favorites of the year list.)

IT'S BUSY DOWN IN THE WOODS TODAY

Brown Bear Wood

by Rachel Piercy

Illustrated by Freya Hartas

Magic Cat

Picture Book

32 pages

ages 4 to 6

COMING JUNE 17th!!!

Discover how the animals of Brown Bear Wood spend their days and search for over 100 hidden things in It’s Busy Down in the Woods Today, a brand-new picture book from the creators of the internationally bestselling If You Go Down to the Woods Today

Enter the charming world of Brown Bear Wood. It’s a busy place! Visit the school, the bakery, the grocery store, and many more exciting places in this classic picture book that teaches little ones all about what goes on in their communities. Find out how Bear, Professor Owl, Mama Fox, Grandpa Toad, and more beloved characters help Brown Bear Wood run smoothly every day.

With delightful read-aloud poems and hidden items to search for on every page, It’​s Busy Down in the Woods Today holds the attention of young readers and creates an immersive, cozy world that encourages them to step into imaginative play.

Features

• 12 fully illustrated scenes
• 100 things to search and find
• Hours of fun!

Other books in the Brown Bear Wood series:
Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball
If You Go Down to the Woods Today
The Great Easter Egg Hunt
I Love You Always
A Search-and-Find Coloring Book

GOODREADS     /      PUBLISHER

MY TIDBITS

This is a woods to dive into and enjoy, while learning about the various jobs people...ummm...animals do.

Every page of this books screams love and care. The illustrations are well done and carry many details to guarantee that there is something new to discover with every visit. As the reader visits the woods, they are introduced to several of animals including the teacher owl, the mouse doctor, and many more. 

First, there's a two-page spread introducing the surroundings and forest around each profession. A few short, rhyming verses introduce the scene and set the tone. The illustration covering the spread is extremely detailed with tons of life and so much going on. But this isn't only for gazing fun. There's a list on these pages of items or animals the reader should find. Some of these are simple, while others take a bit of searching. 

After each of these search spreads, the animal and their profession gain center stage as the various activities they perform are showcased in little sections spread across the two pages. For example, the teaching owl paints with the students, drinks a tea while they play outside, and so on. The small illustrations, which depict each moment, are also very detailed even considering their smaller size. They are accompanied by a short, rhyming text to highlight each moment. 

While this is a delight on the illustration end, the story direction is also well done. The rhymes flow seamlessly and naturally right along with the joyful, visual moments. There's a lovely sense of happiness and community, which is hard to miss. While the joy of living and working together comes across in each moment, readers also learn a bit about the various jobs people do and how they contribute to life and/or the community.

While this book is a little more difficult to use as a read aloud in larger groups, it's a very fun read for cozier settings. I see little readers enjoying these pages quite a bit and getting lost in the scenes, especially as they search and discover all of the goodness held in the illustrations.

And here they are...

Rachel Piercey is a freelance poet, editor, and tutor. She has co-edited three children’s poetry anthologies with the Emma Press and regularly performs her work and runs poetry workshops in primary schools. Piercey’s poems for adults have been published in various journals, including The Poetry Review, Magma, and The Rialto, as well as two pamphlets with the Emma Press and one with HappenStance. Together with Freya Hartas, she is the author of the Brown Bear Wood series, including Grand Old Oak and the Birthday Ball and If You Go Down to the Woods Today. She lives in London. 

Freya Hartas is a UK-based illustrator specializing in children’s books. She lives in the vibrant city of Bristol with her partner and their ancient black cat, Katsu, and works from her cosy, cluttered desk in a shared studio down the road. She graduated from Falmouth University in 2014 with a first-class honors BA in illustration. Hartas loves to conjure up humorous characters, animals, and monsters, creating the most fantastical worlds for them to inhabit and get lost in.