A Fall Ball for All

by Jamie A. Swenson, Chiara Fedele (Illustrator)

On the verge of winter, the autumn wind issues an "Come one, come all to the annual windfall ball!" Join all the animals in this beautifully illustrated rhyming picture book as they gather for the autumn wind's harvest in preparation for the long winter.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Storytime, Childrens, Nature, Fiction, Poetry

32 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2018

Reviews

[Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely illustrations and engaging poetic text. I set a hold for this just based on the cover and title and was expecting a ball like a sports ball -- but it's a festive ball with music and dancing and feasting ;-) We still thoroughly enjoyed it. I like the idea of the animals gathering at a "Windfall Ball" (there's a bit of back matter about windfalls as well as animals of the Northwoods of the US) -- "Gusts and gales and tempest forces / set a fete with seven courses: / cranberries, chestnuts, corn and plums / sunflowers, daisies, chrysanthemums" There's no shortage of autumn picture books but I would suggest this as one worth checking out.

[Carla · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful book. As the animals all gather for a Fall Ball, they are able to collect up the windfall (fruits, vegetables etc.) that have fallen because of high winds. Of course all the animals get along in this story. The animals depicted are found in the Northwoods of the US. The illustrations look like watercolours that could be framed and hung on a wall. The text is told in rhyme with a lot of onomatopoeia included. This book could be used for a fall unit, animals of the Northwoods, teaching descriptive writing or origin of words. A lovely book that I shared with my grandchildren and grandniece and nephew. They loved the animals depicted. A great addition to a school library or teacher resource library. The publisher generously provided me with a copy of this book via netgalley.

[Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance · Rating 3 out of 5]

A beautiful orange and brown and gold story of a fall celebration of animals just before winter comes, with animals leaving the ball fully stocked for their hibernation time.

[Elizabeth☮ · Rating 4 out of 5]

The animals are gathering for a fall celebration. What will the animals bring? How will they celebrate? It's fun to see the animals gather for their fall ball. The illustrations are well done and the animals are nicely animated.

[L.A. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations, rich vocabulary, neat story based on an interesting illusion of autumn being a ball to attend - my three-year-old enjoyed it, and so did my husband and I!

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

The vocabulary and imagery in this book are wonderful!

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

A tremendously fun fall read a loud with beautiful flowing illustrations in rich fall colors!

[Rebecca Gomez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a completely lovely book about animals preparing for winter. I love the idea of a windfall ball! The only thing disappointing about this book is that its rhythm doesn’t flow consistently. Contains some back matter explaining what windfall means and an author’s note about autumn in the Northwoods.

[Miss Clark · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Beautiful autumnal palette of colours with lovely pictures! Simple yet evocative prose.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice rhyming homage to autumn and the bounteous harvest it provides woodland animals about to hunker down for winter.

Swenson and Fedele list and depict many animals that are autumn's yearly beneficiaries, like the Great Gray Owl, Elk, and Badger.

Imagining all these animals surrounded by cranberries, corn, chrysanthemums, and so much more transforms autumn from just a cold, brown season for most urbanites into a time of harmony, get-togethers, thanksgiving, and feasting for both humans and nature.

A Fall Ball for All's homage depicts for kids this autumnal beauty well.

[Molly Cluff (Library!) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm putting this on my halloween list though it is no necessarily about halloween--but it's so atmospheric for that time of year. The illustrations are stunning. I love the aspen trees! Gorgeous! Maybe a bit too poetic to incorporate in a storytime, but I can see it working

[Sandy Brehl · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are countless rhyming picture books, countless books about the changing season, countless books about woodland animals, and countless books about celebrations. In this case, Swenson gives rhyming voice to a crisp Fall breeze, setting the stage for a picture book that distinguishes itself from all those others. It demonstrates the author's firm grasp on meter and rhyme, on the balance between familiarity and specificity in word choice, on animal patterns and personalities. When that fall breeze blows in it extends an invitation to one and all to gather in celebration of nature's bounty, to fatten up for migration or hibernation or to stock up for harsh weather ahead. The brief notes on the last pages highlight the duality of "windfall"- the naturally produced ground cover of summer's growth and the blessing of the sudden appearance of unexpected benefits- including the company of good friends.
This is a must-have for school and library collections in all the noted categories, and a welcome read-aloud for older kids, too, to explore language, vocabulary, voice, and other writing craft as mentor text.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jamie Swenson's poetic tale tells just what the title declares; it's a party for everyone! Invitations have been sent and every animal in the woods you imagine are preparing. As written: "The creatures donned their autumn best–Fur and feather primped and pressed./Coyote groomed, Pheasant preened, Porcupine shook, Otter cleaned." There are others taking care to be their best while "Autumn wind prepared the ball." Fabulous color-filled pages bring this season to us as young readers learn the word 'windfall', explained later in the author's note that animals are helped when varied fruits and nuts are blown from the trees. "Windfall", as you probably know, also can mean a special stroke of luck! It is quite a wonderful celebration just like we are celebrating ourselves this October! There is a surprise at the very end, 'after' the author's note!

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Winter is coming and it's almost time for all of the animals in the forest to rest for the cold season, but first they will celebrate the end of autumn with friends, music, and treats. Lyrical rhyming text and mixed media illustrations bursting with fall colors make this a strong read aloud for the first few months of school, especially if students are studying habitats or seasons. Sometimes the rhyme scheme feels off, which distracts from the story, and there isn't a clear conflict, which may cause some readers' minds to wander off. A good additional purchase for collections in need of fall picture books.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool
Food: Apples, pumpkins, chestnuts, corn, etc.
Nature: Wind, Forest

Autumn Wind, seen as a whirlwind of leaves, blows through the book as it prepares the annual Windfall Ball. Excited animals gather together to celebrate with music and dance and finish off the night with a Windfall feast of food meant to nurture the animals through the cold winter. Rhyming text, unique vocabulary, and an invitation to participate make this an excellent book to share in storytime or in the classroom. The illustrations are full of lush fall colors and detail that invites listeners to pour over the pages.

[Cindy Overcast · Rating 5 out of 5]

“A Fall Ball for All” written by Jamie A. Swenson and illustrated by Chiara Fedele (Copyright 2018, Millbrook Press) is also a rhyming book about the fall season. The beautiful illustrations were made using watercolor, colored pencils, and tempura with digital retouching. This creative story has the autumn wind inviting the forest animals to the Windfall Ball, where they’ll enjoy nature’s feast of the fall harvest. This review was originally published as part of my "Picture Book Favorites for Fall" blog post at www.cindyovercast.com.

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated picture book about the wind, the windfall and the animals celebrating the windfall of food. The hues of the the colors are so appropriate for fall in these illustrations as well as feeling of the rustling wind. Usually I am not fond of poetry to tell a story, however in this title the rhyming is perfect throughout, the words chosen are very expressive of the scenes, sounds, and experiences of fall. Great addition to the titles for inclusion in storytimes.

[Ellon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars (I liked it).

I'm on the hunt for a fall Story Walk book...

This one does not fit my needs. It's a cute story about animals preparing for fall. There is a lot of play on words and some very advanced vocabulary (cache, shindig, jubliation, fete - I had to look this one up!). The book was written in rhyme with a nice rhythm but I just didn't love the text for some reason. It felt a bit forced. I did love the inclusion of all the different animals.

[Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love autumn stories! Kids are going to enjoy this story of the autumn wind inviting all the woodland creatures to a windfall ball- one last night of gathering fallen fruit, dried berries, last of the flowers, for winter storage. The illustrations wee wonderful. I like that the term windfall is explained, as many people have likely forgotten the orchard term!

[Sahara Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy the flow of this book. It had a excellent rhyme scheme throughout. I am also a sucker for a kids book that introduces readers to new words that extend past a simple vocabulary. This book had "Wind-fall" and "chrysanthemums" and other words that are great to include into a kid's vocabulary bank. The illustrations were also well done as well.

[Matthew Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the better kids books we’ve read since moving the TV out of the living room. This is the year of reading for our kids.

Super pretty artwork, kids were locked in on all the animals, and they actually learned something.

Unlike most kids books, the author can actually write as well. Pleasant to read, flows really well, tasteful.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The artwork, especially the color, blew me away. I also liked the rhyming story text. Such a perfect combination in a kids book.

5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book, which I voluntarily reviewed.

[Vicki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the feel of this book. Fall in my neck of the woods is cool, comforting, and a season of big changes. That is what this book portrayed to me.

The illustrations are autumnal in every way - color and sweet looking animals.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for fall and for different types of fall/forest animals. I needed a book to read to toddlers on this theme, but I felt that the words were too big for a younger group but would work well for preschool age.

[Cara Byrne · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Then Autumn Wind began to dance - It breezed, it blew, it puffed, it pranced. Beckoning both big and small to join in step at the Windfall Ball." This is such a wonderful celebration of fall - perfect for storytime.

[Laura Salas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This art is so luscious that I want to step right into it! And the rhyming story about a fall storm and the winter food it provides for local animals is full of fun language and lovely scenes. Backmatter gives a bit more info about windfalls.

[Arefa · Rating 5 out of 5]

The annual "Windfall Ball" for all the animals of the forest to help them get ready for winter. Learn how nature helps them prepare for the coming change of season. Rhyming text and beautiful illustrations would make this a perfect story to read for fall and the coming of winter.

[Mia · Rating 2 out of 5]

To tell the truth, this book just didn't seem that exciting to me. It was fine - cute story, lots of illustrations. But nothing special. I enjoyed the font style, but less so the illustration style. Average read.

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations

[Brindi Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved following the leaves across the pages, and really liked the explanation of "windfall" included in the back. lyrical text and illustrations are great!