Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms [Hardcover]

Julia Rawlinson (Author), Tiphanie Beeke (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 10, 2009 | Age Level: 3 and up | Grade Level: P and up

Fletcher loves everything about spring: listening to the birds sing, smelling just-opened flowers, and playing chase with butterflies. But then Fletcher sees something he never expected to see in spring: snow. Oh, no!

But it turns out that spring has another surprise in store for Fletcher—a warm and wondrous one.

Jump into spring with Fletcher nd friends!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Starred Review. Introduced in 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. (Feb.)
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From Booklist

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. Preschool-Grade 2. --Hazel Rochman

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Greenwillow Books (February 10, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006168855X
• ISBN-13: 978-0061688553
• Product Dimensions: 10.3 x 8.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,800 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This story of a helpful fox trying to help his friends will appeal to a wide range of children, May 29, 2009

By 

D. Fowler "Dragonfly77" (Vermont) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms (Hardcover)

Fletcher the fox was all excited because it was spring. He just loved the "chirping, bustling, singsong sounds of spring." He was walking through the forest and tumbling through the fields thoroughly enjoying himself as the butterflies and flew above him. All of a sudden he was startled by an unusual sight. Snow was swirling through the branches of the trees. Oh, no . . . this could spell disaster for the butterflies, plants and other creatures of the forest. Fletcher had to warn them of this impending disaster!

He rushed off to warn the birds first and told them they had come back from the south too soon. They first wanted to warn the porcupine before they flew back south. Next Fletcher and Porcupine rushed off to warn Squirrel about the snow swirling around the orchard. So many others needed to be warned, including the rabbits. When they all rushed off to the orchard to see the swirling snow, they were in for a bit surprise. Poor Fletcher was "feeling very silly," once he got back to the orchard!

This is a wonderful little story that will appeal to a wide range of children. The art work is simply charming and the numerous full-page, colorful illustrations are beautiful. The illustration, with Fletcher lying beneath two trees, on the last page has a slightly raised design sprinkled with glitter. This story will illustrate to children that sometimes it is perfectly natural to make mistakes, especially if they are trying to help someone else. This would be an excellent read aloud and discuss book.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable book!, August 6, 2010

By 

fullmoonclub (san rafael, ca) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms (Hardcover)

This one and the Falling Leaves book! Melt your heart artwork and story. Wonderful gift, too!

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful book and story, August 30, 2011

By 

lindsey (US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Fletcher and the Springtime Blossoms (Hardcover)

A friend gave us the winter book in this series, a Christmas gift for my little Fletcher. I cried when I opened it and went straight to Amazon to order the others. I love these books! They are so beautiful to look at and the stories are so sweet.