The First Gift

There are those books you GO TO every year and this is one of those. "Winter Is Coming" by Tony Johnson is a book that settles you into the possibilities of the changes in the season.  It eases you into the chill through the eyes of a young girl as she documents her observations. Like a scientist she records and illistrates her findings, as a story teller she brings to life what she sees.  

Johnson weaves the story using imagery and literary techniques such as voice, similes and anchor lines. It is wonderfully illustrated by Jim LaMarche who entices you to peek into the girl’s journal.  Together they have crafted a story that is worthy of sharing with your child or students.  

When teachers come to me looking for a book during this time of year I always offer them this book as an example of how authors use language to engage the reader and how a book can start a conversation about so many cross curricular topics.  Themes, of season, animals, Indigenous world views, scientific process and the joy of just sitting quietly to mindfully take in the world around you make up the tapestry of this book.  

​This is my first gift to you as we dive into the Red Book Bag...enjoy.

Lee-Anne Campbell