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A joyous celebration of the rhythms of nature by the four-time Caldecott Honor author-artist.
JP Oversized
First published January 1, 1992
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About the author
Leo Lionni
173 books468 followersLeo Lionni wrote and illustrated more than 40 highly acclaimed children's books. He received the 1984 American Institute of Graphic Arts Gold Medal and was a four-time Caldecott Honor Winner--for Inch by Inch, Frederick, Swimmy, and Alexander and the Wind-Up Mouse. Leo Lionni died in October of 1999 at his home in Tuscany, Italy, at the age of 89.
Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.
Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.
Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.
Leo Lionni has gained international renown for his paintings, graphic designs, illustrations, and sculpture, as well as for his books for children. He was born in Holland in 1910 of Dutch parents, and although his education did not include formal art courses (in fact, he has a doctorate in economics from the University of Genoa), he spent much of his free time as a child in Amsterdam's museums, teaching himself to draw.
Lionni's business training gradually receded into the background as his interest in art and design grew. Having settled in Milan soon after his marriage in 1931, he started off by writing about European architecture for a local magazine. It was there that he met the contacts who were to give him a start as a professional graphic designer. When he moved to America in 1939, Lionni was hired by a Philadelphia advertising agency as art director. Later he became design director for the Olivetti Corporation of America, and then art director for Fortune magazine. At the same time, his reputation as an artist flourished as he began to exhibit his paintings and drawings in galleries from New York to Japan.
Lionni launched his career as an author/illustrator of books for children in 1959. Originally developed from a story he had improvised for his grandchildren during a dull train ride, Little Blue and Little Yellow was the first of what is now a long list of children's picture books, including four Caldecott Honor Books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
August 16, 2022
I enjoyed many of Leo Lionni’s books when I was a child and the mice and tree on the cover made me smile. Story is fine, goes through each month of the year and the ways the mice interact with the tree and the way the (apple) tree changes through the seasons. Brief part about people being careless with cigarettes and camp fires and starting fires that kill trees might be upsetting to sensitive youngsters. My boys wanted a reread of this so bumping it to four stars.
December 1, 2016
We love this little book about being a good friend while learning the months of the year. Ellie received this book at the La Quinta library summer reading program for reading 60 books in July 2011. This is a book that has been read over and over...krb 12/1/16
May 1, 2022
I think that is a great book to teach about friendship! It shows two twin mice, Winnie and Willie, who become friends with a tree, Woody. Throughout the story we can see these mice help their friend and show how much they care for their friend. They even saved her from a forest fire! This book can also be used to teach about the four seasons, as it does a great job depicting each one throughout the course of the story! Overall, I thought this was a great book that could be used in the classroom!
January 4, 2022
Quaint and mechanical, yet somehow beguiling: A seasons book in which two mice befriend a tree as the tree illustrates the affects of the season’s shifts. One sees Leoni at his best in second-tier books like this: His love of fable and lore permeates the narrative and elevates any book to memorable status. Can’t explain that claim other than: What else is a book about mice befriending a tree but a fable, and here a strange one supported by genuine care and concern by two lifeforms for another.
June 4, 2023
I, personally, find Lionni's work a bit uneven. Some is excellent, some is only good. This one is very good. I love the eco-message, which is also a message about friendship with someone unlike us, which is also Another point of view.
I do not know if the board book audience is ready for it, though. I hope library systems that are big enough also have it in paper in one of the branches.
I do not know if the board book audience is ready for it, though. I hope library systems that are big enough also have it in paper in one of the branches.
March 13, 2018
Winnie and Willie love their tree! Perfect for preschool and up, great links to months of the year, seasons, and life cycles (especially of plants).
March 5, 2019
I like this book and the story of sweet friendship. I also love that the book goes through the year month by month.
December 11, 2019
A good illustration of how to grow, and how years go.
September 13, 2020
This is such a better message than Silverstein’s The Giving Tree!
October 26, 2020
عنوان ترجمهٔ فارسی: سال پُرکار
June 7, 2021
A Busy Year is another one of Lionni's adorable mouse stories. Winnie and Willie observe the changes in their friend the tree through the changing months of the year.
January 19, 2022
A pair of mice siblings spend a year visiting a tree and learning and growing together. sweet. preschool and up
February 24, 2022
A quiet picture book about two mice who visit a tree monthly and observe the seasonal changes. A lovely picture book to add to units about the seasons and calendars.
March 10, 2023
A nice book to show seasons, trees, and friendships to small children.
November 7, 2024
"How do you know which ones will be the blossoms and which ones the leaves?"
January 18, 2025
Cute. 2 year old liked it but was done with reading after this book as she wasn't very into it
March 14, 2022
A board book edition of a Leo Lionni title published in 1992 tells the story of the seasons with the mice, Willie and Winnie visiting Woody the tree in each of the twelve months.
March 1, 2023
Cute book about months and seasons. I liked the vertical size of the book to give importance to the illustrations.
February 23, 2017
This book is about how two mice befriend a tree. Someone could use this in their classroom to teach about friendship and what that means. It could also be used to teach the months and what events happen in each one, such as holidays or weather.
February 5, 2015
Summary:
There are two mice named Willie and Winnie. They go exploring one day in January and met a new friend which is a tree named Woody. They haven’t met a talking tree before and are curious and so at least once a month they come back to visit their friend Woody. The problem is that the tree is not able to run like they are. So, the wonder if Woody will make it all year.
Connections:
This week in the textbook it talks about how there is many interactions that you could do with books and I think this one would have many that would go together with it nicely. For example, I think that you could make a great timelines on the seasons through webbing and mapping. This reminds me of many of the other season books that I have read. I can’t remember the titles of the books but it seems like in many of them their in animism which seems to help the younger readers understand the concepts better and from a different point of view.
Reaction:
I thought the book was pretty good. I liked the pictures. They would seem perfect for younger kids. They aren’t too complicated yet they have enough detail. I think it would be good for many ages, because the younger kids may not yet understand the idea of season but they still would be interested in the book and it’s never too early to get them thinking.
There are two mice named Willie and Winnie. They go exploring one day in January and met a new friend which is a tree named Woody. They haven’t met a talking tree before and are curious and so at least once a month they come back to visit their friend Woody. The problem is that the tree is not able to run like they are. So, the wonder if Woody will make it all year.
Connections:
This week in the textbook it talks about how there is many interactions that you could do with books and I think this one would have many that would go together with it nicely. For example, I think that you could make a great timelines on the seasons through webbing and mapping. This reminds me of many of the other season books that I have read. I can’t remember the titles of the books but it seems like in many of them their in animism which seems to help the younger readers understand the concepts better and from a different point of view.
Reaction:
I thought the book was pretty good. I liked the pictures. They would seem perfect for younger kids. They aren’t too complicated yet they have enough detail. I think it would be good for many ages, because the younger kids may not yet understand the idea of season but they still would be interested in the book and it’s never too early to get them thinking.
February 4, 2015
1.
In the story, "A Busy Year" by Leo Lionni, The main charicters are a set of twin mce. Their names are Willie and Winnie. Both of these mice live in the McBarney barn with cows, horses and chickens. On day while they were out exploring the snow for the first time, they came across a talking tree named Woody. The twins form a friendship with this tree and care for Woody throughout the year.
2.
This book is a tough book to connect to this weeks chapter. I think that any book would be. If i was to read this to a class, though, i might be able to think of a good project to go along with it. Something like a copy-cat of the cut and paste artwork illustrations in the story or have the students make up a sequal of the next busy year of Winnie, Willie and Woody.
3.
I thought the book was a cute little story but i mostly liked the illustrations. I thought that although the book was a good one for young children, it didn't have quite enough of a plot. I wish the story would have had more of a concrete beginning, middle and end. I would reccomend this for a child in the preoperational period (2-7 years old). Thats when they could start to relate to makng friends and they are generally fond of talking animals.
In the story, "A Busy Year" by Leo Lionni, The main charicters are a set of twin mce. Their names are Willie and Winnie. Both of these mice live in the McBarney barn with cows, horses and chickens. On day while they were out exploring the snow for the first time, they came across a talking tree named Woody. The twins form a friendship with this tree and care for Woody throughout the year.
2.
This book is a tough book to connect to this weeks chapter. I think that any book would be. If i was to read this to a class, though, i might be able to think of a good project to go along with it. Something like a copy-cat of the cut and paste artwork illustrations in the story or have the students make up a sequal of the next busy year of Winnie, Willie and Woody.
3.
I thought the book was a cute little story but i mostly liked the illustrations. I thought that although the book was a good one for young children, it didn't have quite enough of a plot. I wish the story would have had more of a concrete beginning, middle and end. I would reccomend this for a child in the preoperational period (2-7 years old). Thats when they could start to relate to makng friends and they are generally fond of talking animals.
February 12, 2015
1.Summary
This story is about a set of twin mice named willie and winnie who find a tree called woody in January on a winter walk. The story progresses through the different months of the year and the mice and the tree become friends. At one point of the story the twins save the tree from a fire. The story also goes in depth the changes a tree goes through a year in each season.
2.Connection
Books about seasons have always been a favorite choice of mine I feel like children are learning and enjoying learning with the right book. This book also talks about the changes a tree goes though out the year another chance to teacher children more in that moment. Leo Lionni has a great selection of books and the illustrations were much like his other stories with the ripped paper effect.
3. Reaction
This book is good for any age younger children will find firmiality in the repeat illustrations and the soft colors. While older children will be able to grasp the concepts of the months and season changes. I was do so sure the part about the fire fit into the story and it seemed almost unnecessary.
This story is about a set of twin mice named willie and winnie who find a tree called woody in January on a winter walk. The story progresses through the different months of the year and the mice and the tree become friends. At one point of the story the twins save the tree from a fire. The story also goes in depth the changes a tree goes through a year in each season.
2.Connection
Books about seasons have always been a favorite choice of mine I feel like children are learning and enjoying learning with the right book. This book also talks about the changes a tree goes though out the year another chance to teacher children more in that moment. Leo Lionni has a great selection of books and the illustrations were much like his other stories with the ripped paper effect.
3. Reaction
This book is good for any age younger children will find firmiality in the repeat illustrations and the soft colors. While older children will be able to grasp the concepts of the months and season changes. I was do so sure the part about the fire fit into the story and it seemed almost unnecessary.
February 5, 2015
1. Willie and Winnie, two mice, went on an adventure and met a new friend Woody, the tree. They went back to visit Woody each month. Woody helped the mice realize how some people don't care about how many trees burn down. Woody almost burnt down but the two mice saved the trees life.
2. This story does a good job showing the different seasons. It makes me think of all of the different children's books that have done that; though I cannot remember their names. This book sort of does textbook this week. The textbook talked about how many interactions there really are. The fact about the seasons fits that pretty well.
3. This was a cute little story. It's very fictional but at the same time has nonfictional aspects. It doesn't just tell a story but sends a message to the reader. I also liked the illustrations. They were cute and different.
2. This story does a good job showing the different seasons. It makes me think of all of the different children's books that have done that; though I cannot remember their names. This book sort of does textbook this week. The textbook talked about how many interactions there really are. The fact about the seasons fits that pretty well.
3. This was a cute little story. It's very fictional but at the same time has nonfictional aspects. It doesn't just tell a story but sends a message to the reader. I also liked the illustrations. They were cute and different.
February 5, 2015
1. A Busy Year is about twin mice, Willie and Winnie, who make friends with a tree named Woody. The book shows all the season and a tree cycle through them. It also touched on things that make the mice good friends to the tree.
2. A Busy Year reminds me of the Very Hungry Caterpillar. The book's illustration style is nearly the same. Also, they both talk about cycles. A Busy Year talks about the cycle of a tree, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar talks about the cycle of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
3. I liked how the book seemed to focus on what makes a good friend. The things that the mice would do for the tree were sweet. I also really liked how it went through all the season. This would probably be a good book for younger ages when they are still learning things like the season.
2. A Busy Year reminds me of the Very Hungry Caterpillar. The book's illustration style is nearly the same. Also, they both talk about cycles. A Busy Year talks about the cycle of a tree, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar talks about the cycle of a caterpillar into a butterfly.
3. I liked how the book seemed to focus on what makes a good friend. The things that the mice would do for the tree were sweet. I also really liked how it went through all the season. This would probably be a good book for younger ages when they are still learning things like the season.
January 29, 2015
1. Willie and Winnie meet Woody the tree which they thought was a broom. Every month they go visit Woody and learn about the changes than happen to Woody. Willie and Winnie help and discover new things about their new friend Woody in this sweet book about friendship.
2. The illustrations relate to that of the very hungry caterpillar. As the textbook says, the children are gaining artistic and reading experiences from a book like this. The children are connecting the look of a broom to a tree which boosts their creative skills.
3. I liked how the book showed the stages of a tree during one year. This book would be good for children who understand time. I liked how it says how certain things such as littering affects the tree.
2. The illustrations relate to that of the very hungry caterpillar. As the textbook says, the children are gaining artistic and reading experiences from a book like this. The children are connecting the look of a broom to a tree which boosts their creative skills.
3. I liked how the book showed the stages of a tree during one year. This book would be good for children who understand time. I liked how it says how certain things such as littering affects the tree.
November 18, 2014
As a picture book goes, "A Busy Year", is as charming as any, although perhaps not as fable-like as some of Leo Lionni's other books. Still, it has a lovely message of friendship as two mice befriend a tree and observe her though the seasons of a year. There is a subtle statement about the carelessness of man and forest fires which even the very young will understand. The illustrations are quaint and rich in a very understated way, even the mice look kid-friendly. It is a picture book, the very young will adore.
April 14, 2015
Two mice, Winnie and Willie meet a talking tree that they befriend. Each month they visit the tree, they help the tree, give it presents, and watch it change.
They book talks about what happens during each month, and what can happen to the tree during each season, which many other books do.
I liked the illustration of the book, as the kids could relate to how the pictures are drawn. I think it'd be good for kids beginning to read on their own because it is a little bit longer but it still has easy words.
They book talks about what happens during each month, and what can happen to the tree during each season, which many other books do.
I liked the illustration of the book, as the kids could relate to how the pictures are drawn. I think it'd be good for kids beginning to read on their own because it is a little bit longer but it still has easy words.
February 5, 2015
This story is an adventure about two barn twin mice, Willie and Winnie. They come across a talking tree. Throughout this book they encounter the seasons and how they effect the tree, and become friends along the way.
This book is similar to the giving tree. They both befriend someone and they help each other out. This book is a little 'nicer' to the tree.
This children's book is very educational for children who are most likely in kindergarten and are just learning the seasons. Also, this book shows some friendship and how it is to be nice to one another.
This book is similar to the giving tree. They both befriend someone and they help each other out. This book is a little 'nicer' to the tree.
This children's book is very educational for children who are most likely in kindergarten and are just learning the seasons. Also, this book shows some friendship and how it is to be nice to one another.
October 13, 2012
I really liked this short story. I would use this book to talk about months and what type of seasons correspond with each month. I may break my students up into small groups and give a certain amount of months to each group and they would need to figure out which season correspond with the list of months they have. The groups could create pictures about the season when they share their list of months with the season that corresponds to the list of months.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews