Customer Reviews

Our Walk in the Woods

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Charity Nebbe, beloved by public radio listeners in the midwest, hits a solid home-run with her first book. Paired with a crackerjack illustrator, Jeffrey Ebbeler, she gives us a wonderful evocation of the canine-human bond. Simple premise, which every dog-lover will appreciate--we take a walk with Abby, (a girl), and Kirby, (her truly radical Boston terrier). We see through the eyes of the girl, and the eyes of the dog, in clear engaging prose, and additional humor and enhancements by way of the pictures. Through the matter-of-fact account of their excursion comes a story of mutual love and understanding. (Full disclosure: I had a Boston terrier as a child, and when I saw Kirby on the cover, I knew right away I was going to love this romp).

Daniel Pinkwater

This brand new book from a brand new author is wonderful.
You may think you already know what a "walk in the woods" will bring you but this book is written from two view points. Abby tells her story from her point of view as a young girl taking her best friend for a walk. On the next page are Kirby's thoughts about the walk. When Abby comes across trash that someone has left, it makes her mad and she picks it up. Kirby sees it as "great stuff just lying around"! The illustrations are great, you'll love the expressions on the dog's face.

Anyone who lives with a dog will love sharing this book with everyone in the household!

I bought copies for my young nieces and our local libraries. Definitely a five star book!

"Our Walk in the Woods" is a special picture book about a young girl named Abby and her dog, Kirby, who enjoy taking an early walk in the woods in the spring. The experience of the walk is told from both the girl's and the dog's viewpoints, with different print to show whose eyes we are looking through. Fabulous, vibrant illustrations take the reader directly into the experiences of Abby and Kirby. From underwater to in the tunnel, the pictures' perspectives continually change and challenge the imaginations of young readers. "Our Walk in the Woods" is a wonderful experience for young readers, especially those who have or want to have a pet.

Our walk in the woods is a delightful book. It was given to us as a gift for our 15 month-old...and it is now his favorite anytime story. The story is simple and sweet... told from both, the human and doggie perspective. The illustrations are beautiful and engaging... and produce shreiks of delight from my son every time we read it. The book is playful and imaginative, and we can't recommend it enough!

Our Walk in the Woods is a charming look at two perspectives (a girl's and her dog's) on a springtime walk. Beautiful illustrations perfectly capture the playful spirit of the text. This is one of my five-year-old son's favorite books.

My 3 year old loves books in general but this one became his favorite immediately. He liked it so much he wouldn't let it go and insisted on going to bed with the book. It's great a great book for any young dog lover.

This is a wonderful book that takes you on a journey with a young girl and her dog. You get to join in their adventures and see it all from both of their viewpoints. The text is fun to read and the book is delightfully illustrated. Each time you read it you will delight in the pictures as you may notice little things that you had not have seen before. Ms. Nebbe has written a wonderful book, we can't wait for her to write another!

My 7 year old girl loved the book as well as mom. Have not read it to the 4 year old boy or 8 year old girl yet. Abby and her dog, Kirby, go for a walk. Gives the reader the perspectives of how Abby sees, feels about the walk and what they come upon, as well, as Kirby's view. Clever, short, fun story!

***** Story
***** Illustrations
A Delightful Story, Professionally illustrated and a Wonderful Message
Review by Douglas Quinn, Author of Blue Heron Marsh, etal and Donna Higgins Colson, Professional Artist

The artist has done a superb job with illustrating this delightful story from the dustjacket and hardcover to the final page. The pictures are organic and fresh. The use of foreshortening brings us right into the story. With the illustration of his dog tag on the title page, Kirby, a Boston terrier, is cleverly introduced to the reader.

We like how the artist bleeds the illustrations from one page to the next to make two-page pictures and his clever use of negative space allowing for the two different text types. The author uses the different text types to relate scenes of the story from two different voices, those of Abby and Kirby.

The use of diagonals as well as the changing scale of the figures creates a sense of motion as Abby and Kirby, each in their own way, experience getting ready for and going on their walk in the woods. The landscapes are charming, creating a feeling of traveling right along with the girl and her dog.

The cropping of illustrations helps to focus the reader's attention and skillfully gets across the idea of how differently nature can be perceived and appreciated. The underwater picture is an especially charming and creative viewpoint.

We liked the idea that the reader comes away with a sense that companionship, fun and enjoyment can be found in the natural world with all its beauty and diversity of flora and fauna. We also liked the fact that the author conveyed the important message that while some people may disrespect nature by littering, it is our individual responsibility to do our part to be sure the environment remains as pristine as possible. Keeping things light and humorous, Kirby sees this part of the outing as an opportunity to find new toys to play with.

The author was fortunate to have such a fine illustrator who interpreted her story in such a skillful manner. We highly recommend this book. We would each love to read this story with our grandchildren.

One final note. The author, Charity Nebbe, is donating a portion of her royalties to animal rescue organizations. What a wonderful gesture.

This charming book was fascinating to my step-daughters. They loved hearing about the dog's thoughts as well as the little girl's as the pair took their walk. The colorful art work by Jeffrey Ebbeler captures a beautiful day and the adventure the two experience in a simple walk in the woods. I highly recommend this book. Children will love it and parents will enjoy reading it to them. Disclaimer: I work with the author, Charity Nebbe, in her other profession (radio). But, I've never bought four copies of a book before, simply to give it to all the little ones in my life.