What do you think?
Rate this book
The Winter Wren
A winter wren aids a little boy in his attempts to thwart Winter, awaken Spring, and find his missing sister
- GenresPicture BooksNatureBirds
Paperback
First published September 1, 1984
1 person is currently reading
25 people want to read
About the author
Brock Cole
29 books30 followersBrock Cole was born a year before the Second World War in a small town in Michigan. Because of his father's work, his family moved frequently, but he never regarded these relocations as a hardship.
"I thought of myself as something of an explorer, even though my explorations never took me very far. I had a deep and intimate acquaintance with woodlots, creeks, lakes, back streets, and alleys all over the Midwest."
He attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and received a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. After teaching philosophy for several years at the University of Wisconsin, he began writing and illustrating books for children.
"I had always wanted to write, and I loved to draw. I had small children, who were a wonderful audience. Children's books seemed a perfect fit."
His first book, The King at the Door, was published in 1979. Among his other picture books are The Winter Wren, The Giant's Toe, and Alpha and the Dirty Baby.
He now lives in Buffalo, New York, where his wife, Susan, teaches at the State University of New York. His sons both live in Athens, Georgia. Joshua teaches French history at the University of Georgia, and Tobiah is a painter and works as a waiter. Joshua is married to Kate Tremel, a potter and a teacher, and they have a little boy named Lucas.
Brock Cole's acclaimed first novel, The Goats, was published in 1987. It is set in the Michigan countryside of his childhood and captures the story of two loners' struggle for self-identity and inner strength after being made the targets of a cruel prank. In a Horn Book Magazine editorial, Anita Silvey wrote: "The Goats reaffirms my belief that children's literature is alive and thriving." Betsy Hearne, editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, lauded The Goats as "one of the most important books of the decade."
In Brock Cole's second novel, Celine, sixteen-year-old Celine, a budding artist, is living with her young stepmother, only six years older than Celine herself, while her father is teaching in Europe. Celine dreams of escaping this situation, but she becomes involved with caring for Jake, her seven-year-old neighbor, who is going through his parents' divorce.
Since he began his writing career, Brock Cole and his wife have traveled a good deal, living for one year in Washington and another in Germany, as well as spending frequent summers in Greece and Turkey.
"To be honest, I simply tag along after Susan. It's her research which takes us all over the place. I enjoy it immensely, though. There's something about sitting down to work at a rickety table in a strange city that clears the head. It's the best thing for a writer, or for this one, anyway."
"I thought of myself as something of an explorer, even though my explorations never took me very far. I had a deep and intimate acquaintance with woodlots, creeks, lakes, back streets, and alleys all over the Midwest."
He attended Kenyon College in Gambier, Ohio, and received a doctorate from the University of Minnesota. After teaching philosophy for several years at the University of Wisconsin, he began writing and illustrating books for children.
"I had always wanted to write, and I loved to draw. I had small children, who were a wonderful audience. Children's books seemed a perfect fit."
His first book, The King at the Door, was published in 1979. Among his other picture books are The Winter Wren, The Giant's Toe, and Alpha and the Dirty Baby.
He now lives in Buffalo, New York, where his wife, Susan, teaches at the State University of New York. His sons both live in Athens, Georgia. Joshua teaches French history at the University of Georgia, and Tobiah is a painter and works as a waiter. Joshua is married to Kate Tremel, a potter and a teacher, and they have a little boy named Lucas.
Brock Cole's acclaimed first novel, The Goats, was published in 1987. It is set in the Michigan countryside of his childhood and captures the story of two loners' struggle for self-identity and inner strength after being made the targets of a cruel prank. In a Horn Book Magazine editorial, Anita Silvey wrote: "The Goats reaffirms my belief that children's literature is alive and thriving." Betsy Hearne, editor of The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, lauded The Goats as "one of the most important books of the decade."
In Brock Cole's second novel, Celine, sixteen-year-old Celine, a budding artist, is living with her young stepmother, only six years older than Celine herself, while her father is teaching in Europe. Celine dreams of escaping this situation, but she becomes involved with caring for Jake, her seven-year-old neighbor, who is going through his parents' divorce.
Since he began his writing career, Brock Cole and his wife have traveled a good deal, living for one year in Washington and another in Germany, as well as spending frequent summers in Greece and Turkey.
"To be honest, I simply tag along after Susan. It's her research which takes us all over the place. I enjoy it immensely, though. There's something about sitting down to work at a rickety table in a strange city that clears the head. It's the best thing for a writer, or for this one, anyway."
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
August 7, 2008
We got this book from the library and we love it. It's a myth about how a boy sneaks around Winter's farm to find and wake up a captive Spring.
March 19, 2012
A delightful take on Winter and Spring. I loved the illustrations and the story. It had the feel of a folk tale, which I love.
February 7, 2015
A charming tale of old man winter getting bested by children searching for princess spring
April 16, 2016
The illustrations were great, however the story made little sense.
March 23, 2011
Beautiful picture book about the change from winter to spring!
May 10, 2023
This wonderful original story in folklore style reminds me of Jack in the Green, although "Winter Wren" was published 3 years before "Jack in the Green." Both are the story of someone seeking to free Spring from the prison of Winter. Cole's is also a sweet story of a boy's love for his younger sister. Cole's illustrations segue from dark and somber to bright and colorful.
June 25, 2017
The surface story is charming, if a little strange. I sense there's a deeper resonance, but that eludes me. I will continue to read what I can find by Cole.
August 7, 2023
"Spring is a princess all dressed in green and gold." That is the phrase Simon's mother uses to describe what spring looks like. She means it in a fanciful way, but Simon takes it literally and goes searching for spring one year when winter lingers on. He takes his little sister Meg with him, and she may play a larger role in the story than she appears to...
I am so happy to have a copy of this 25-year-old book. It is a fairy tale by a contemporary author that recalls the old folk stories of Europe, timeless and evocative. The illustrations are stunning.
I am so happy to have a copy of this 25-year-old book. It is a fairy tale by a contemporary author that recalls the old folk stories of Europe, timeless and evocative. The illustrations are stunning.
March 16, 2025
3.4
This has the flavor of a folk tale with lovable characters and a mission successfully completed. The art is beautifully rendered and captures the essence of the natural world.
2025
A unique take on seasonal changes. Will the kids like it?
This has the flavor of a folk tale with lovable characters and a mission successfully completed. The art is beautifully rendered and captures the essence of the natural world.
2025
A unique take on seasonal changes. Will the kids like it?
January 24, 2022
Simon and his sister Meg go in search of Spring, who is still sleeping on Old Man Winter's farm. With the guidance of the winter wren Simon is able to thwart Old Man Winter, and awaken Spring.
April 26, 2017
After a long winter, Simon and his sister Meg set out to wake up spring. With the help of the winter wren, Simon manages to drive winter away and free spring from her slumber.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews