Is This ... Winter?

Helen Yoon’s Is This . . . ?

by Helen Yoon

What’s with all the blinking lights? With her trademark visual humor and comic timing, Helen Yoon takes a look at some odd winter traditions.

High five! It’s winter! For one spirited little puppy, winter means romping in the snow, birds to chase, fragrant evergreen trees, and joy, joy, joy! Then again, winter also means . . . oddly unfriendly deer? Millions of little lights? Contorting inflatable snowmen? Wait, what? If this is all winter too, then winter is kind of . . . weird! Helen Yoon’s fresh and hilarious take on the winter season—part of a quirky new series of picture books—is a blend of bumbling affection and slack-jawed wonder.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Holiday, Dogs, Humor, Childrens, Storytime

32 pages, Library Binding

Published September 12, 2023

About the author

Helen Yoon is a freelance illustrator and creative consultant operating in the greater Los Angeles area. Sheepish is her first picture book.

Reviews

[Caroline · Rating 3 out of 5]

A puppy experiences their first winter in this humorous picture book. At first exuberant, the puppy quickly becomes confused at the responses of the wintery things he sees on his walk. The snowman collapses when he jumps on it. The light-up reindeer don't want to high-five him. It's all very funny and then ends with an abrupt surprise from a winter celebrity. Good to read aloud and quick enough to share over and over for the holiday season.

[Erin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really like Helen Yoon but I was disappointed with this one. Didn't live up to my expectations.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exuberant young pup gets an up-close introduction to the holidays in this fun board book.  The dog starts off, tail wagging, as he frightens some red birds and exclaims “HOORAY! It’s finally winter!”  His enthusiasm leads to his stumbling sans leash into an elaborate outdoor holiday display, featuring reindeer strewn with lights, candy canes and a giant blow-up Santa figure.  Santa’s loud “Ho Ho Ho” sends the frisky pup to hide behind his owner's legs and reflect: “Winter is weird.”  The colorful mixed media illustrations add to the experience by bringing the holidays to vivid life.  Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Kim Wilch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This trio of quick, quirky reads leans all the way into playful chaos. The bright, slightly wacky illustrations instantly set the tone, giving each story a fun, offbeat vibe. From a pup dealing with very relatable springtime allergies to a hilarious egg debate that flips your usual Easter expectations, these books keep things light and silly. Toss in a confused puppy navigating winter (with a surprise cameo), and you’ve got a set that’s short, sweet, and guaranteed to get a few laughs along the way.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hurrah, it's winter, or maybe it's also something else? A puppy greets the snow with joy until other things interrupt. Blinking lights, ribbons, gingerbread men, and someone in a red suit make a mixed world for this young pup. Helen Yoon has created a smile on every page for young readers while trying to answer the question! The question could be asked of every reader. What is winter?
Thanks to Candlewick Press for this copy!

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A high energy picture book about a puppy's first experience with snow. There's lots of bouncing, pouncing, and tumbling. A particularly funny illustration is when the puppy pounces on a snowman. "Hi friend! HAPPY WINTER! WHOOMPF! Hey, what happened? Where'd you -- " And later when the puppy sees Christmas decorations, there's some dog sniffing humor and lots of chaos. This is a humorous picture book that will have dog lovers rolling on the floor. A fun book for the season!

[Zan Porter · Rating 4 out of 5]

High five! It's winter! For one spirited little puppy, winter means romping in the snow, birds to chase, fragrant evergreen trees, and joy, joy, joy! Then again, winter also means . . . oddly unfriendly deer? Millions of little lights? Contorting inflatable snowmen? Wait, what? If this is all winter too, then winter is kind of . . . weird!

[Terresa Wellborn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun romp through the snow with a spunky dog who encounters a snowman and various holiday lawn decorations: lit up reindeer, candy canes, a giant blowup Santa, etc. (Note: there's some unnecessary potty humor but it would be easy skip that part in a large read aloud/school setting.)

Themes: holidays, dogs, humor
Ages: preK-1st grade
Pub year: 2023

[Ollie Skyba · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute silly illustrations.
The story is about a dog who jumped out of the house into the snowdrifts, rejoicing in the coming winter, and suddenly realized that there were a lot of strange objects around - illumination, decorations, a huge Santa...
The plot lacks action, unfortunately, some awkward misunderstanding with this dog, not only to admire the pictures, but also to laugh.

[Kirsti · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 200th book I've read this year!

Fun story without a heavy or complex message. Mixed-media illustrations convey action and motion. Definitely a picture-driven story rather than a word-driven one. Nice to see a book about winter that shows recent trends (elaborate holiday decorations, inflatables, lots of lights everywhere).

[Vera Godley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A frisky puppy (or doggie) frolicking in the snow. He gets tangled in Christmas decorations that adorn the neighborhood. Few words. Sketchy, though cute illustrations.

Not a favorite, but still enjoyable though I could most certainly do without the bit of "butt" humor.

I was provided a complimentary copy to facilitate a review. Opinions are mine, alone and are freely given.

[Brittany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book as a volunteer reader for the AR Diamond Book Award. It looked cute from the cover but had absolutely no meat to the story. It felt very unfinished at the end. Some parents/teachers may take issue with the "do you want to smell my butt" page. It's supposed to be funny, but some may not take it that way. Overall -- skip it.

[Sarah Alamer · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're so proud of you for reading this fun book! You learned something special - that new things can feel strange and confusing, just like winter seemed weird to the little puppy. When you try something new at school or meet new friends, it might feel a bit strange at first, and that's perfectly okay! Keep being curious and brave like that happy puppy. You're doing an amazing job, sweetheart!

[Laura Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

The cover art doesn't do this book justice. The cover text is an appealing, shimmery, fun blue. The illustrations inside are quite detailed and extraordinary. Not your average board/picture book for sure. Highly recommend!

[Panda Incognito · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have really enjoyed this author's work in the past, but this picture book feels totally random and incomplete. The illustrations are cute, but they're a little confusing, and nothing much happens. The ending feels incredibly abrupt and unsatisfying.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars--A very energetic little dog finds out that winter can be as overwhelming as it is fun after stumbling into a very crowded holiday yard display. This one is giggle-inducing, with lots of kinetic energy.

[Children's Literature Centre at FSU · Rating 3 out of 5]

An adorable kids book about a pups first winter. This book walks through many items that can be seen at winter time and ends with a humorous twist to the dogs winter experience. This book would be fun for young readers.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

Follow a rambunctious pup as they explore the amazing outside snowy world! So many Christmas decorations to examine. And unfriendly deer to meet. Christmassy wintery cute!
This is the first one in a new series - Is This... Easter is coming soon.

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dog encounters unexpected sights of winter time, like snow and decorations. Pretty cute, although I felt like the illustrations required some explanations (like - can you tell that's a reindeer decoration?) which for me is never as great as a book where both pieces stand on their own.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute premise, but the book ends to quickly. I want to see and read more of this puppy’s adventures in winter and see its curiosity over snow . . . “What is this stuff?” “Why am I cold?” Maybe even a few “zoomies” in the puppy’s introduction to a season it has never encountered before?

[Kristen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations and story had me literally laughing out loud! I think parents will enjoy this maybe more than the kids they’re reading it too! I dare you not to laugh out loud at this one!! the dog with the high five! Ha ha ha, too funny!

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing super special here, but a silly story about a puppy experiencing winter for the first time. Quick and easy.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: B/2

Winter

A puppy discovers winter, act out the puppy as you read.

[Adrienne G · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda cute, not my favorite though.

[Natalie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a fan of the sniff my butt page. In my toddler's words, "That was weird."

[Allison Greg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations are so cute and the story is short but perfect for beginning readers. My first grade son was dying laughing at this book and read it again and again.

[R.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute and funny.

[Meredith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sooooooooo cute. And very funny for early grade school kids.

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Skip this book. I so wanted to love it, puppy, snow, Santa....but it falls flat. No high fives for this one.

[Gabrielle Stoller · Rating 2 out of 5]

This books is humorous and bizarre at the same time. I'm truly unsure how I feel about it. But I do think it could personify how pets feel come winter and snow and holiday lawn ornaments