Book Details
Written by
Illustrated by
Genre
More details
See more book reviews

Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-Up Journey (by Robert Sabuda)

common sense media says

3-D walk in winter woods shimmers, glitters.

parents & educators say
Be the first to review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book, comprising simple text and pop-up illustrations, is too delicate for little ones. Better to share it with a child sitting on your lap while you carefully turn the pages.

Positive messages: Not applicable.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Not applicable.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-Up Journey

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about who the narrator is, a secret hinted at on several pages but only subtly revealed on the last spread. Even there it's a bit metaphorical, and younger kids may need help sorting it out. What does the snowman stand for? What hints are there throughout the book?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A narrator, unseen until the end, walks through the winter woods, describing the sights and creatures. These include a bear trying to catch fish, a family of mice hiding from an owl, a rabbit carrying a clue to the narrator, a moose, beavers, and more, each of which pops up. On the final spread a cabin surrounded by a pine forest has working colored lights, powered by included and replaceable batteries.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

Collectors of pop-up books have most of Robert Sabuda's work, and they won't want to miss this one. His paper engineering is simply the best there is. Unlike some of his busier and more active books, this one is calm and contemplative, with a lovely, gentle feel. If his Encyclopedia Prehistorica: Dinosaurs was Rock & Roll, this one is New Age.

As a work for kids, though, it is less successful than some of his adaptations of others' writing. The text is instantly forgettable, and the color scheme is problematic. Some of these animals are so abstract that without color clues children may have difficulty making them out. Nevertheless, the abstraction, gentle prose, and mild mystery of the narrator make this a wonderful book for an adult and child to puzzle out together in front of the fire on a cold winter's night.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Robert Sabuda
Illustrator: Robert Sabuda
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: January 6, 2006
Number of pages: 12
Hardcover price: $26.95
Read Aloud: 6
Read Alone: 7
This review was written by Matt Berman
 
 

Review It

 

Review Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-Up Journey

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

There aren’t any reviews yet. Ask your friends to review this title.

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you read Winter's Tale: An Original Pop-Up Journey?

Won't miss it
On the fence
No way

Already read it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Browse more books
About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age
Our child development rating guidelines