Hush Hush, Forest

by Mary Casanova, Nick Wroblewski (Illustrator)

Lyrical words and elegant woodcuts capture the quiet beauty of the forest as day fades to night and autumn gives way to the North Woods winter
While we are tucked in, snug in warm blankets as we listen to bedtime stories, the woods around us whisper another tale. As the golden leaves waft through the lengthening shadows, the loon sings one last lullaby, the whirring hummingbird takes one last sip, the industrious beaver saws one last branch for her lodge. Here, in enchanting words and woodcuts, is the magic of night falling and winter approaching in the North Woods. Hush Hush, Forest peers through twilight’s window at the raccoon preening, the doe and fawn bedding down, the last bat of the season flitting away. The owl surveys, the rabbit scurries, the bear hunkers, readying her den. Marking the rhythm between the falling leaf and the falling snowflake, picturing the rituals of creatures big and small as they prepare for the long winter’s sleep, this charming book captures a time of surpassing wonder for readers of all ages—and bids everyone in the hushed forest a peaceful good night.

Genres: Picture Books, Nature, Childrens, Animals, Poetry, Autumn, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published October 9, 2018

About the author

Mary Casanova is an award-winning children's author of novels and picture books. Many of her books stem from her life on the Minnesota-Canadian border; yet some of her stories have taken her as far away as France, Norway, and Belize for research. Whatever the setting for her books, Casanova writes stories that matter--and stories that kids can't put down.

Her book awards include: American Library Association "Notable," Aesop Accolades by the American Folklore Society, Parents' Choice "Gold" Award, Booklist Editor Choice, and two Minnesota Book Awards. Her books frequently land on state children's choice book master lists across the country. "The greatest reward for me," Casanova states, "is when a young reader tells me she or he loves one of my books. For me, it's all about communicating writer-to-reader through a character and story."

Casanova grew up in a family of ten children in St. Paul, Minnesota. In a bustling camp-like atmosphere, Casanova found that writing became her voice. "Words are my paintbrush," she explains, "my way of exploring the world around me."

Now, with 19 books published and many more under contract and forthcoming, she divides her time between writing and traveling. Nationally and internationally, at schools and conferences, Casanova shares her love of writing and reading with children and adults.

Her newest novel, The Klipfish Code, makes use of Mary's on-site research in Norway. The story explores an important facet of Norwegian history through the experiences of Marit, a 12-year-old Norwegian girl who finds a way to fight against the 5-year Nazi occupation of Norway. Marit and her brother Lars are separated from their parents (who are working for the Resistance) and sent to live on an island with their gruff grandfather and school teacher aunt. During the course of the story, Marit's aunt is one of the Norwegian school teachers that gets sent to a concentration camp for refusing to integrate Nazi propaganda into her classroom. With potential danger waiting every turn, Marit finds a way to help the Resistance and eventually reunite her family.

Mary's series, Dog Watch (Simon and Schuster) is based on her northern Minnesota village where dogs are allowed to roam free—as long as they don't get in trouble. If they get in trouble, they earn a sticker on their page at the village clerk's office; too many stickers and a trouble-making dog must remain at home. "I never know where the next story will come from. It’s a delight when the stories come right from this corner of the world I call home." She makes her home in a 100-year old house on Rainy Lake with her husband, Charles, and their three "above average" dogs and spends free time with their horses, Jay and Midnight.

Reviews

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

A Northwoods, North Shore, northern Minnesota version of the classic The Big Snow by Elmer and Betra Hader.

[Janet · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning depiction of winter coming to the northern forest. Both the author and artist are residents of Minnesota and that shows in this beautiful book. The seldom seen woodcut illustrations used in this title are executed beautifully. My favorite illustration is the white tailed deer making a scrape on a tree which I have not seen illustrated in a picture book, however I have encountered them many times in the natural world. This is a “coffee table” title for me! These woodcuts deserve recognition and awards.

[R.C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, evocative woodcuts accompany prose of the same cloth. These two creators are clearly on the same page, with the words and images blending seamlessly to form one of the loveliest celebrations of autumn and winter I’ve ever read. Casanova’s poetry draws the reader in to examine the daily turnings of the year; we see how the world prepares for and reacts to winter, and are inspired to do the same. Wroblewski’s woodcuts are simply extraordinary, from their naturalism to their seasonal colors. His portrait of an owl atop a cedar is worthy of framing in any collection!

The only reason I withheld one star is because the poetic rhythm had a few stumbling pages. It would flow and wander along, carrying us through autumn’s tides like a stream in the woodland, and then stutter to a halt as its rhyme scheme and beat changes out of nowhere. It begins and ends well, however, and I’ll be recommending this to any children’s literature aficionados. Best read under a blanket and with frost on the windows!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is beautifully illustrated through woodcuts. Each animal and scene is so striking. I love how the writer takes us from day to evening and from autumn to winter. The book not only discusses and seasonal changes but also includes some touches of hibernation. Also, can't fault that it's setting is Minnesota! <3

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This soothing book a delight for the eyes. An autumnal color pallet for woodblock illustrations is lovely. The softly lulling text makes for a nice read-aloud about autumn in the woods. All of the animals, from hummingbirds to squirrels, enjoy the change of season.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely woodcuts with poetic verse. Perfect fall reading.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Preschool-Kindergarten

Fascinating wood carvings and poetic styling observe the fall preparations of animals for the oncoming winter cold.

The straight-forward observations of the narrator are brief (excellent for reading aloud) but the vocabulary is delightfully unique and rich with action infused descriptors. Certain animals/activities can be excluded in a read-aloud if the audience has a lower attention span.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really a beautiful book. A wonderful companion to the earlier Wake Up, Island by the same writer/illustrator duo.
I love the loon, the bear, the crow - the details in the drawings are amazing! The text talks about each animal in a very brief way, very suitable for small children. It is not so much a story as a lullaby.
Would make a wonderful gift for any small child!

[Sara Carmona · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations so much! I "read" this book about five times after I got it from the library, just so I could look at the pictures 😅. I ended up purchasing the book for my own collection, which doesn't often happen. the only reason it's not 5 stars is because some of the text doesn't have great rhythm.

[Meg · Rating 4 out of 5]

The art is beautiful and the prompts are great. This would be great to read-aloud, and to read with/to your child. This would be great for someone who lives in the country and could show their children where some of these things live, where they can be found, and how they are around you.

[emyrose8 · Rating 4 out of 5]

The text and the illustrations complement each other wonderfully. It would be a good read-aloud book; the cadence of the words flows off the tongue. The words are arranged on the page creatively at times and the illustrations are done in wood-cuts.

[Caitlin]

I really know very little about how to rate or review picture books. This book had very beautiful illustrations but the text itself didn't feel special to me. I am not a small child or the parent of a small child though so YMMV.

[Thomasin Propson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A picture book to be read aloud at bedtime. Winter is coming, animals are out, alternately hunting and bedding down. Cozy. Beautiful woodcuts.

Value: 3/5
Enjoyment factor: 3/5
Re-read likelihood: 4 or 5/5
Illustrations: 4/5

[DoRena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Five stars for illustrations. Three for the text. So split the difference with a four. Worthwhile for the illustrations alone, but as I read aloud with my son it seemed to drag, like something was missing or just not quite a perfect fit with the stunning visuals.

[Melanie Hetrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What an absolutely beautiful book! Casanova writes of forest animals getting ready for winter and Illustrator Wroblewski created wondrous illustrations using dozens of hand carved wood blocks.

Highly recommended for autumn/winter storytimes!

[Jared White · Rating 4 out of 5]

A perfect book for changing seasons and settling down on an Autumn turned winter night. The text and illustrations pair beautifully to tell of animals readying for winter. This would make a lovely bedtime book for little nature lovers.

[Sunnee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet little narrative that's perfect for a bedtime reading session for kiddos. The art is detailed without being overstimulating, the words follow suit and are soothing to the ear rather than sing-song. The mood of the book is perfect for a cold winter's night.

[Cathy Mealey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, lyrical writing combined with absolutely stunning woodcuts by Nick Wroblewski make this another must-have title from University of Minnesota Press. Soothing, evocative and poetic, the rhythm of nature is captured with playful, sensory details.

[Alicia Thompson · Rating 3 out of 5]

No doubt the illustrations in this are beautiful. The idea of creating such complex images from wood cutting blows me away. My kids didn't love the story, so it goes on the list of books we're unlikely to check out again.

[Cassie Job · Rating 2.5 out of 5]

Didn’t seem to capture my 4-year-old’s attention. The woodcuts are beautiful, but the poem, while calming, doesn’t do much for picturing the scene. I think something that focused more on each individual animal, or a broader scene on one page might have worked better for me.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful bedtime book. It was so easy to hear the cadence of the story in my head as I was reading it silently, and it was calm and soothing.

[Erin Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very Poetic and the illustrations are wonderful.

[Shari (Shira) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful, lyrical read aloud perfect for a winter read aloud.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Autumnal nature poem illustrated with gorgeous woodcuts. Recommended for ages 3-6.

[Anna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations; fall storytime read-aloud

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous wood cuts capture the northern woods beautifully

[Jeffrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the woodcuts.

[Edward Sullivan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely, soothing verse and stunning woodcut illustrations.

[Alyssa Mandell · Rating 4 out of 5]

A BEAUTIFUL book about how the forest changes into fall and then winter. It is on the longer side but could work as a first storytime book or lower elementary read aloud.