There are a lot of wonderful and beautiful picture books about kindness, empathy, generosity, and forgiveness. The special thing about Shelter, by Céline Claire and Qin Leng is this is a seemingly simple story about all of those big, complicated emotions.
There is a huge storm approaching in the forest and the animals all prepare for it by hunkering down in their shelters with their stores of food. Two strangers approach and ask each family for shelter. Each turns them away, back into the cold night.
When the fox family’s den caves in they must go out into the storm and ask for help. They see a warm glow in the snow and follow the aroma of spice tea to the home of the strangers who they had turned away. The strangers offer forgiveness and kindness and welcome them into their shelter.
It’s hard to show inside interiors of animal homes while at the same time showing the changing climate outside of it. Qin Leng’s beautiful watercolor and ink illustrations move us in and out of environments by the clever use of light, blowing leaves, and moves us forward with each page turn.
Kids will be able to make the connection for inclusion by relating to both sides of the fence. Have they been the kid who was excluded from game the other’s started, or were they on the team that told the new child they couldn’t play?
This feels like a classic fable. Not preachy. Not in your face. But one that will warm your heart for a long time to come.
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The winner of a signed art print and the book, Sometimes You Fly—- is Amanda Sincavage!
Congratulations!!!! If you can please email me through my website with your address and inscription I will send them out to you!
Thank you!
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This looks so warm and cozy. Love the illustrations!
It is indeed, Linda!
I want to jump into these illustrations. Gorgeous!
I know, Jill, they’re beautiful!
I love this book! I’ve checked it out several times from the library. It’s one of those quiet, deep books. Gorgeous illustrations, too!
I’m so glad that you like it, Angie! And I think that you’re exactly right that it’s a wonderful book to visit again and again. Thanks for visiting and commenting— have a wonderful day!
Looks like a great book!
I hope you enjoy it, Kathy! It’s lovely. Thank you so much for visiting PBB today!
I love this story, too. I’ve also read it several times. It’s one of my go to books when I am feeling blue.
Thanks for getting the word out about it.
Thank YOU Susan for visiting and commenting on our blog! I’m so happy that you like the book!
I’m so going out today to find this gem!! 🙂
I’m very happy to recommend it, Danielle. I hope you love it!
This book looks amazing! Can’t wait to read it!
I hope you like it, Tracy! Thanks so much for visiting today!
Gorgeous.
Hi Quinette! It sure is! Thanks for visiting PBB!
It’s a gorgeous book. Qin Leng is one of my favorite illustrators! That snow scene is so lovely. I especially love her art for Norman, Speak and the new Jane Austen book.
Nice to see you Maria! We have a similar taste in illustrators— yes! the snow scene! Thanks for stopping by!
I am off to order this beautiful (in so many ways) book! Thank you so much for sharing this gem with us.
Hi Anne, enjoy it! It’s one that’s wonderful again and again. Thank you!
Thanks for this post. The story sounds beautiful!
Thank you for visiting and taking the time to comment, Mary! I hope you like the book. Have a wonderful day!
Beautiful book with an important message. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Judy! Have a wonderful day!
This is a book I checked out of the library to read for an assignment and read it over several times. I found myself wanting to re-read it so I checked out again and this time tasted, felt and experienced every word. It is truly even better the second time around. Love this work of art, both the words and illustrations!
I am so happy that you enjoyed this beautiful book as much as I did, Terri. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment!
Beautiful, soft, inviting! Looks like a must read!
I hope you like it when you see it, Mary. Thank you for visiting PBB!
This looks like a wonderful book. I can’t believe I haven’t read it yet.
I hope you like it, Linda. I’m happy that I can recommend it to you! Have a terrific day!
Love the illustrations!
They are gorgeous, indeed! Thanks for visiting and commenting, Cathy!
A timely book about inclusion and forgiveness. Showing what it is without telling or being didactic. I love it.
Exactly, Cassie! And definitely one of those, “Wish I had thought of writing that” kinda books! Thanks for visiting. Have a great day!
This looks like the most perfect book for me!
I love it. Hope you do, too, Kathy! Lovely to see you, thank you!
What a gorgeous book!
Yes a very thoughtful book–one to start a conversation.