The Reader by Amy Hest illustrated by Lauren CastilloThe Reader is about a little boy in a snowstorm. He is on his way home probably from school and meeting his dog. He and his dog like to sit while he reads to the dog. They are Two Good Friends, just like the title of the book the boy reads to his dog. This is a very good picture book that works for more than just the young readers it is aimed at. The beautiful illustrations and poetic story would make it an ideal gift for someone who is a dog lover and book lover. It is a simple story of a book, a dog and a snowy day. The perfect read on a snow day home from school. I rate this book at 4 ½ stars. On a cold and snowy day, a boy and his dog set out with a sled to conquer a big hill. The boy struggles to drag the sled to the summit, while the dog runs and plays, but eventually they both reach the peak and can enjoy the snow. This book perfectly captures the magic of a snowy day for a young child, both in the enjoyment of the weather and the effort that enjoyment can require. Growing up in an area with a winter that produced plentiful snowfall accumulations, this book was a nostalgic trip back to my own childhood and the hours and days spent bundled up outdoors in the snow. A delightful book for anyone who loves winter. And the title? Well, let’s just say that you don’t have to forsake the outdoors to enjoy a good book!
Five stars for the illustrations though! One to study for illustration technique- sublime.
—amm3925
Beautiful pictures but the story itself is somewhat disjointed.
—Cookie_monsta
Very sweet, darling pictures, if somewhat lacking in point.
—quillows
fun story about friendship, snow, and books...and a dog
—Ally
Lovely Imagery that captures winter perfectly.
—bob
