A Friend for All Seasons

by Julia Hubery, Mei Matsuoka (Illustrator)

Robbie Raccoon's favorite friend is Old Father Oak. Robbie was born in Father Oak's trunk; he spent the spring swinging from Father Oak's branches; he spent the summer relaxing in the shade of Father Oak's limbs. But one day Robbie wakes up and notices that Father Oak is losing his leaves. Maybe he is cold. Maybe he is tired. Maybe he is sad. What can Robbie do to help? Readers will delight in following Robbie and his friends as they are introduced to the magic of the changing seasons.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Friendship

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 4, 2006

Reviews

[Seema Rao · Rating 2 out of 5]

A raccoon cub learns about the seasons and the changes that will occur in his oaktree home.

[Y.Poston]

delightful forest creature story!

[Shane]

leaves falling

[Juliej · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're reading a lot of quick books to catch up on an Accelerated Reading program at school. This is a cute book that talks about the changing seasons and that the tree is not "sick" because its leaves are falling off. Sweet illustrations of the animals that are worried and that also hibernate and are excited to see their tree friend alive and well in the spring. Went along well with our science today - studying hardwood and softwood trees.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

The beginning reminded me of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, but this book does a better job of showing the need for each season and talking about what happens in fall, winter, and spring (mostly due to Robbie Raccoon's mother, who doesn't simply leave it at "Don't worry, it's only autumn."). While definitely more informative, A Friend for All Seasons lacks a bit of the whimsy and charm of Fletcher, so I'm only feeling the three-star rating.

[Loren · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is another FALL themed picture book. It is very similar to Leaf Trouble which I reviewed last week. The same concept, "OMG my tree is shedding its leaves!" I love the endflap illustration with the leaves forming a heart! I am just a sucker for this type of illustration (chunky little critters).

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nice story about a little raccoon and an introduction to the concept of the changing seasons. Fun to read aloud. We enjoyed listening to this book read to us at our local library storytime.

[Kalynda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Robbie Raccoon shares about his warm home environment that he loves, and his first experience with the changing of the seasons. He is trying to understand why all the leaves are falling, and what he can do to help. Great for a starter discussion on misconceptions.

[LINDA · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really adorable chiildrens book with illustrations that are so heartwarming! A great story to read to the kids in the fall!

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the pictures and the slightly pagan aspect of "father oak". My two year old enjoyed it as well.

[Jennifer Ho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book to use to teach children about making friends.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fact that I am bored with oh-no-the-leaves-are-falling-what's-wrong-what's-wrong fall books does not mean that this is not a good entry in that field! And I LOVE the illustrations.

[Stargazer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This title is better tha the one i have from the library called 'raffi's surprise'. Good book for wee ones.

[Magila · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5

[Erica Zgorzynski · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute heartwarming children's story. Young children could relate well to Robbie.