Another year around the sun by Katrina Germein. Illus. by Alice Lindstrom

A loving homage to family and the way they interact is shown through this depiction of a year of activity. Beginning with the child’s birthday, celebrated on a picnic rug in the woods, the pages move through the year, revealing each new month as the page is turned. Starting with the summer birthday, the pages move through a day at the beach, then in the garden with the approach of the cooler months, the leaves falling all around with blustery winds, followed by the wild rains of winter, and leading to spring and finally back to the same place as the next birthday is celebrated.

Each double page is full of colour and movement, the wonderful illustrations drawing children’s eyes to the detail, while the brief rhyming lines of text point the reader to a specific activity being undertaken by the young girl. She hums while looking at the bugs on the leaves, skips and swirls with the encroaching fog and winds of early autumn, roars in the heavy rain.

Readers will love seeing what the child does throughout the year, comparing them with the things they do. All of the activities occur out of doors, only one, where the girl is playing in the water in the gutter, shows their house.

The family involves itself in a range of activities; flying a kite, playing at the beach, imagining a mermaid, working in the garden, picking fruit, playing in the fallen leaves, feeding the chooks, having a birthday celebration in the woods. All are activities attainable by children and discussions in the classroom or at home will see plans made by for them all to leave their devices at home as they venture outside. A lovely way to celebrate the passing of time.

Themes: Family, Relationships, Activities, Outdoors.

Fran Knight