Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan

Cover image for Sweater Weather.

Sweater Weather by Matt Phelan (9780062934147)

It’s a lovely autumn day outside, so Papa Bear tells his seven baby bears to get their sweaters on. They head upstairs to get ready while Papa sits downstairs knitting. But it turns out that the baby bears need some help getting dressed successfully. After some disentangling, Papa gets them ready. All except for one, whose sweater unravels and he to be tucked into the stocking cap that Papa had been knitting. By the time they are all ready to go, it’s evening. The bear family makes the most of the nighttime, watching their breath frost the air and seeing a comet cross the sky. Then it’s time for pajamas on and bed.

Every parent will recognize the joy of getting ready for a day outside the house. This book is so cozy that the frustration of not getting ready quickly makes time for knitting and some extra hugs. Papa Bear is a delight of an adult character, seemingly on top of it all until the door opens and reveals how long it has actually taken for them all to get ready. With few words, the book relies on the illustrations to tell the story and share the love of this furry family.

Cozy, funny and full of autumn spice. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

Reviewed from e-galley provided by Greenwillow Books.

News to Wake Your Brain Cells – Oct. 29

CHILDREN’S BOOKS

19 Canadian books for kids and young adults to read this Halloween – CBC

20 magical children’s books about witches for all ages – Romper

50 years ago, ‘The Electric Company’ used comedy to boost kids’ reading skills – NPR

2021 Vine Awards for Canadian Jewish Literature shortlist announced – Quill & Quire

Anne Ursu’s magical thinking – Mpls St Paul

Announcing Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids List of 2021 – Evanston Public Library

Author Margarita Engle explores Cuban history in two new books for young readers – KVPR

How gruesome penny dreadfuls got Victorian children reading – Atlas Obscura

Let children choose their own ways to read, and you’ll make them lifelong readers – Desert Sun

A very busy fall for Ada Twist – Publishers Weekly

LIBRARIES

The Freedom to Read is a right and must be protected – Texas Library Association

‘Harmful content’ Cambridge University to put trigger warnings on children’s books – Express

I set out to build the next Library of Alexandria. Now I wonder: will there be libraries in 25 years? – TIME

How Memphis created the nation’s most innovative public library – Smithsonian Magazine

Texas House to launch investigation into school library books – The Hill

YA LIT

Jewish YA books: more than the Holocaust – Book Riot

The most underrated YA books of the pandemic – Book Riot