Introduced in <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">Fletcher and the Falling Leaves, the cute little fox Fletcher now discovers spring. Seeing blossoms swirling through the air—Beeke renders them as a flurry of white smudges—Fletcher becomes convinced that the snow has returned. Feeling “bouncy [and] full-of-importance,” he sounds the alarm to his forest comrades, who are not a little peeved when they realize Fletcher’s mistake. All is quickly forgiven as they revel in the glories of the season: “The animals scooped up pawfuls and clawfuls of blossoms from the ground, and covered him in a tickly shower of fluttering white petals!” The distinctly British lilt of Rawlinson’s prose should prove captivating for preschoolers. But it’s Beeke who gives this book its reason for being. Working in her signature naïf style, she gives each character a vivid personality (the steadfast porcupine and slacker rabbits are particularly memorable) and conjures up an irresistible forest: bathed in warm greens and yellows, punctuated with impish bursts of color, and just imposing enough to be a suitable setting for adventure. Ages 3–7. <EMPHASIS TYPE=""ITALIC"">(Feb.)

With delicate Impressionistic watercolors and clear, simple words, the team that did Fletcher and the Falling Leaves (2006) tells another changing-seasons story about a surprising transformation in the woods that confuses the little fox Fletcher. This time he sees snowflakes, and, full of self-importance, he rushes to warn his animal friends that winter is not over and they must not leave their shelters or come out of hibernation. But, in fact, the flakes are blossoms. Preschoolers will love being in on the joke, even as they marvel at the bright petals that herald the astonishing beauty of spring.

As Fletcher the fox appreciates signs of spring in the forest, he's shocked to see what he thinks is a late snow shower. He warns his friends about the cold weather, but they discover the snow was actually falling flower blossoms. The story is slight, but the pastel illustrations depicting woodland scenes dappled with sunshine are as inviting as warm weather.

Young Fletcher has made it through the winter, and so has the anxiety that marked his debut ( Fletcher and the Falling Leaves , 2007). When the little fox, on a walk through the orchard, sees "snowy flakes" dancing in the springtime breeze, he panics: "It will be too cold for the buds and butterflies. There's no time to lose." In cumulative turn, he alerts the birds, Porcupine, Squirrel and the rabbits—who discover the blossom-carpeted orchard floor. "Those are blossoms, not snow, you foolish fox!" Not to worry: They're good fun to play with, and the friends make the most of the opportunity. Beeke's sun-dappled paintings glory in the hues and textures of spring, giving the lie to Fletcher's concerns with every page turn. (Picture book. 3-6)

PreS-Gr 2 Fletcher the fox wanders through the woods, enjoying the colors and sounds of spring, until he sees what appears to be snow falling in the orchard. He hurries to warn Porcupine, Squirrel, the rabbits, and birds that winter is returning. When all of the animals arrive at the orchard to see the storm for themselves, they discover that Fletcher has seen blossoms falling from the trees. Although this book does not have the emotional depth of Fletcher and the Falling Leaves (HarperCollins, 2006), every page of this simple tale is full of warmth. Rawlinson writes lyrically, almost poetically, and the text dances with rhythm, alliteration, and onomatopoeia. "The woods were full of the chirping, bustling, singsong sounds of spring." Beeke's painterly, almost impressionistic, illustrations shine with spring colors and enhance the meaning and flow of the story. She speckles bright yellows, blues, and greens with deep red and pale pink to give the pictures vibrancy. This is a great book to share one-on-one or with a class to celebrate the season. Donna Cardon, Provo City Library, UT