This week, I’m sharing books all about winter. From snow to hibernating animals, these books are perfect for reading during the winter season. Find a blanket, get cozy, and read with a child in your life.
Click HERE to see all the winter books!
HIRO, WINTER, AND MARSHMALLOWS
By: Marine Schneider
Translated by: Vineet Lal
Published: September 3, 2024
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Fiction
Hiro isn’t quite ready to snuggle in for a long winter nap. So, after her parents and siblings nod off into dreamland, Hiro sneaks out into the quiet winter night. She comes upon an outdoor party full of kids playing, a bonfire, and roasted marshmallows. She doesn’t expect to see everyone run away, except one little boy.
Hiro is much like any child when it is time to go to bed and they aren’t ready. They want one more drink of water or one more story. But, in this case, Hiro is curious about what goes on in winter when they are sleeping. She doesn’t want to miss out on winter. Her explorations take her to a party where she is a surprise and unwanted guest. This part of the story is reflected with just the illustration and no words for three full-page spreads. But, kids will understand what happened by the children’s faces and the scattering of items left behind.
While Hiro is sitting by herself roasting a marshmallow, a young boy appears from behind a tree. Hiro and Émile have a conversation about winter. Soon, it is time for the boy to go home and for Hiro to go back to her den and fall into a deep sleep, dreaming of Émile and roasted marshmallows.
This is a sweet story of curiosity, an unlikely friendship, and the joy of sharing a roasted marshmallow. Since the author/illustrator is from Belgium, the original story was written in French. Vineet’s translation is smooth and you’d never know it wasn’t originally written in English. Hiro is the kind of story you could tell for generations.
Marine Schneider is a Belgian author and illustrator who lives in Brussels. Her works include the picture books Life and I, I Am Life, and The Path (all Little Gestalten) and the board books Little Bear, Baby Bear, and Big Bear, Little Bear (both Abrams). A traveler at heart, she loves wandering through snowy landscapes—alone or with company.
Vineet Lal is a translator of books from French to English, including A Perfect Spot, A Head Full of Birds, The Brothers Zzli, and Home (all Eerdmans). He studied French at Princeton University and the University of Edinburgh. Vineet lives in Scotland.
To purchase a copy of HIRO, WINTER, AND MARSHMALLOWS, click HERE.
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Thanks to the publisher for sending a copy of this book for the purpose of this review. This review is my honest opinion. If you choose to make a purchase through the above links, I may receive a small commission without you having to pay a cent more for your purchase.
Posted Under bears, bedtime, Book Review, Children's books, fiction, hibernation, Marine Schneider, Vineet Lal, winter