In this unusual ABC book, friendly forest animals coexist, playing and doing chores throughout the seasons, as they ice skate in the winter, feed the ducks and plant a garden in the spring, frolic in mud in the summer, and rake leaves in the fall. Ample use of white space sets off the charming watercolor-and-gouache illustrations in muted colors. The many details on each page render a delightful glimpse into the animals' cozy lives. The horned lizard sails a paper boat down the river, the frog peeks out of the sand bucket, the moose collects honey, while a buzzing bee sketches a delicate "hi" with his flight path. Children will have fun discovering each creature's personality, such as the little mouse going nose to nose with a tiny worm, the raccoon and squirrel talking on a tin-can telephone, or the fox roasting a marshmallow around a campfire. Every decorated initial alphabet letter is surrounded by a different floral motif to replicate a medieval Book of Hours for little ones.

We make messes with mud / when it rains in July. / But we take nice long naps / in the grass once it's dry.