Seven Ways Through The Woods by Jenn Reese

Today's read seems to invite to an adventure, and I'm always ready for an adventure. Add the woods, and these pages hold tons of promises. We live in an area where plenty of woods surround us. While it is fun to walk through them, ticks, honestly, keep our adventures a little more subdued. However, my children have spent plenty of time building lean-tos, mushroom hunting (yes, we have edible ones), looking for things to craft with, looking for treasures, hunting turtles, and so much more. 

Let's see if this book opens up to the amazing wonders the imagination can offer when in the woods.

SEVEN WAYS THROUGH THE WOODS

by Jenn Reese

Illustrated by Devin Elle Kurtz

Greenwillow Books

Picture Book

40 pages

ages 4 to 8

Are you brave? Are you curious? Are you ready for an adventure? Then you are invited on the most magical of journeys—through the woods.

There are many ways through the woods. Some are long and winding. Some are as quick as a blink. You might encounter griffins, giants, serpents, sprites, and more along the way. Which path will you choose? What will you discover?

Acclaimed author Jenn Reese and rising star artist Devin Elle Kurtz celebrate curiosity, imagination, and wonder in this sumptuous and timeless picture book for fans of Knight Owl, The Bakery Dragon, Endlessly Ever After, and Journey. A fantastical and awe-inspiring adventure for listeners of all ages.

GOODREADS    /    AMAZON

MY TIDBITS

Seven possible paths through a forest offer a magical adventure.

These pages speak to the reader/listener directly and present the situation of standing on a path, which leads into a forest. There are seven possibilities, which the reader/listener can choose, and these pages offer a look at each one. From sprites who enjoy celebrations to flying griffins, the pages open up to a rich, fantasy world. As the reader dreams of each possibility and contemplates which one they might choose, a seventh choice, at the end, offers an inviting surprise.

This is a book which invites to the realm of imagination and dreams. The first image of a girl, who is standing at the edge of a forest, reminds a little of the Red Riding Hood tale. While these pages don't have anything to do with fairy tales, they definitely embrace fantasy creatures and magical possibilities. Each turn of the page holds a new wonder and will have readers/listeners wishing they could step into this forest themselves.

The illustrations are beautiful and let the fantasy and magic flow. Readers/listeners can view these on their own and let their fantasies weave as they take in each scene. The text is kept short enough to hold the interest of even more reluctant listeners and introduces each moment just enough to allow the illustrations to shine. 

Of course, there's a message hidden behind the tale, which encourages young readers/listeners to seek their own path through life and not follow the same steps of others. It makes a lovely read for group settings, individual moments, or even as a bedtime read.

And here they are...

Jenn Reese (they/she) is the award-winning author of the middle grade novels Puzzleheart, Every Bird a Prince, A Game of Fox & Squirrels, and the Above World trilogy. They also write short stories and essays. Seven Ways Through the Woods is their first picture book. Jenn Reese lives in Portland, Oregon.

 

Devin Elle Kurtz is the author-illustrator of The Bakery Dragon and the illustrator of Mother of Sharks, by Melissa Cristina Márquez. She has worked in the animation industry as a background painter/designer and visual development artist and has also illustrated many book covers.