In the Woods is available at Indiebound and Amazon. Publication date: April 2020.
from Candlewick Press
"A New York Times best-selling author shares his love for woodland animals in a revealing, beautifully illustrated collection of verse for poetry lovers and budding naturalists.
“The animals in the dark woods are secretive, their inner lives a mystery. The stealthy bobcat, the inquisitive raccoon, and the dignified bear waking up from his winter nap are just a few of the glorious animals featured in this clever collection of poems and woodland scenes. This companion to In the Sea, In the Wild, and On the Farm is the first collaboration between David Elliott and Rob Dunlavey, whose colorful, expressive art pairs with the author’s charming poems to create a love letter to the animals of the forest.”
In the Woods has received a starred review from Kirkus Reviews (March 2020)
”An exploration of woodland inhabitants in poems and pictures. Elliott introduces prereaders to 15 creatures that make the forest their home, ranging from the diminutive millipede and hornet to the "ungainly, / mainly" moose. Elliott's tight, mostly rhymed verse celebrates with great humor and insight each organism's distinctive qualities. Elliott chooses both common creatures like the skunk, advising children, "Give the skunk / a lot of / room, unless / you care for / strong perfume," and more stealthy types, such as the fisher cat: "Does not like fish. / Is not a cat. / I don't know what / to make of that. / But when you are / as fierce as she, / there's no need for / consistency. He admires even the unattractive opossum, "not a classic beauty" but notable for bumping "along the woodland track, / your babies clinging to your back: / there's beauty, too, in duty." Dunlavey's expressively atmospheric double-page paintings play with light effects, a scarlet tanager flashing through the dappled green and a porcupine that's just shuffled out of the beams of an oncoming truck. In addition to the pithy lyric portraits, Elliott provides intriguing facts about each animal in the backmatter, such as the "beaver's teeth are constantly growing," allowing inquisitive listeners to connect with these creatures in a variety of ways. An irresistible invitation to get out of the house and into the woods. (Picture book/poetry. 3-7)”
Additional reviews and interviews:
”Dr. E” (Elizabeth Dulemba) extensive interview about In The Woods process.
Publishers Weekly
The Horn Book starred review (March-April 2020)