This is a beautiful French story for kids finally reaching audience in English. The story pretty much shows the characteristics of tradition European animal tales - the story has a background message. The Shelter is a story that tells about how world comes and goes around, what you give to one comes to yourself. In a meaning - its nice not to turn your back to someone who is asking your help when you can give it, rather than be selfish and not. This story with it's beautiful watercolor illustrations gives a perfect story atmosphere to little readers bringing them into dark and story autumn/ winter night. It brings the beauty of forest and it's inhabitants, their beautiful and hidden houses. Showing where each and every animal sleeps at winter, what food do they eat and how sharing is caring, and a new friendship is there.

As a kid and also nowadays I love the children picture books that can represent different, unique illustrations.

Shelter is a wonderful book showing how important it is to be kind to others. This beautifully illustrated tale tells the story of animals preparing for a big storm and then when someone in need knocks on their doors they turn them away. When the fox den caves in, they seek shelter from the same bears they turned away and find them welcoming. Great picture book!

This is a beautiful book and I just loved the images. The story was lovely and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has younger children, especially those that have an interest in animals. I would have loved this book when I was younger. 5 stars

i cannot get this to open on any of my devices. i would i could because it looks so cute.

A charming book of kindness and sharing. The watercolor illustrations make the story shine! A beautiful title to add to any collection.

Book – Shelter
Author – Celine Claire, Qin Leng
Star rating - ★★★★★
No. of Pages – 42
Cover – Gorgeous!
Would I read it again – Yes
Genre – Children, Picture Book, Animals


** COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY **


Full of gorgeous graphics in a pretty wrapping, Shelter is a great kids story with a beautiful message. The images are reminiscent of my childhood of Winnie the Pooh, Watership Down, Peter Rabbit and Wind in the Willows, both familiar and comforting while being new and interesting.

The writing is, thankfully, always easy to read which can be difficult for a picture book. Whoever chose the placement of the text cleverly made use of a lot of white space which led the eye from one image to another, when appropriate.

Told in present tense, it leads the reader through a series of images that illustrate the words beautifully, while exploring the world of animals who need to take shelter during a storm, preparing from the minute they wake to the news to the minute the storm hits. The curiosity and uncertainty of the animals is a nice touch of human behaviour in a way that children can appreciate and learn through. The lesson is simple but profound, in the way it's presented; people can assist others that are known to them – as all the animals help each other prepare for the storm – but can be distant and mistrustful of strangers, even to the extent of lying about fires being out and having no food when the opposite is true.

This is a beautiful story that shows that even the honest who want to help but can't can offer a little something of themselves out of kindness, even when they are less well off than others. And strangers can be more welcoming than those they should be able to depend on, even when shown no generosity from others.

Really lovely and gorgeously illustrated.

As we are greeted with the way some animals wake up of a morning, some quietly, some bouncing about; the forest animals catch up on some news and learn that a storm is coming. This lovely story shows the animals working together to prepare for the storm, helping friends out. When the storm comes and some strangers appear, the animals aren’t so friendly but…I don’t want to spoil then end but it is a beautiful story of being humble and giving.

There are several things I really love about this book, one being that it talks about not being fearful, that despite the storm coming there was no need to be afraid. Such a positive learning experience for children when books often talk about fearing things like wolves, bears and monsters.

The illustrations are beautiful and earthy, light and subdued and had me feeling cold because of the wind and snow pictures. This feeling of coldness is complimentary to the author because their illustrations have given the effect that they desired, to be one with the story.

This book has a beautiful message and I recommend this book for all ages.

I loved the story and the soft illustrations. This would be a great storytime read especially in our area, where humans prepare for storms much in the same way. Simply sweet and adorable!

This was a lovely story. A big storm is brewing and all the animals are headed inside for saftey. But two lone bears are out and about. They knock door to door looking for shelter from the storm. They offer their tea in exchange, but no one opens their doors. Once snow starts to fall the bears make their own shelter, and are able to be the help someone else needs when the time arrives. A lovely book, with a lovely message.

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It is a cold blustery night and two brothers inquire if they might find warmth and food inexchange for the tea they have to share. Rather than welcoming the strangers in, they are turned away again and again. A stunning pedagogical portrayal of what it means to be an immigrant, lost, homeless and with kindness to offer but in need of the same. When the heavy snow brings disaster, a door opens to welcome in those in need but who is the generous host?

This beautifully illustrated book is a must have for the school or home library collection. The soft, muted colors set the tone for a story of kindness to strangers.

The watercolor and ink illustrations remind me of Winnie the Pooh! The story itself was a very simple lesson about sharing and the writing was a little stilted at times, but this was an overall enjoyable story.

This story is going to be a good one to start the school year with-a lesson in empathy. A village of animals is bracing for a storm. Some strangers come to their village and ask for help, while offering things in return. Only one small fox offers any assistance. When the storm hits and the fox family home is destroyed, the fox family is the one looking for assistance. Luckily the strangers are more generous. This would also be a good one to start a conversation about some of the immigration issues we are currently facing.

An excellent resource for the classroom with excellent illustrations and storytelling.

-I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are purely my own and not influenced in any way.--
The artwork is gorgeous and the story is flawless in showing how every small deed counts and how to pay it forward. I would highly recommend it to anyone!

I really enjoyed this book. The illustrations are beautiful and filled with autumnal colours. This book tells the story of helping others in any way you can when they need it most and sends a lovely message to children. I think all children would love to read this.

"Shelter" is a beautifully written and illustrated children's book!

As winter follows fall the animals in the forest prepare themselves for an oncoming storm. They prepare their food, homes and families for the oncoming cold. After their preparations are completed and the storm has begun two strangers arrive through the fog.

With the storm surrounding them the two brother bears ask for shelter, food or warmth in exchange for their tea. Each doorway they pass offers them respite and each time they approach they are sent away. Until little fox offers to share his lantern.

The two bears make a shelter with the falling snow--but what is wonderful for one family is disastrous for another. What will the fox family do when they become the ones without a home?

This story is sweetly written and approaches the idea of sharing with others and caring for those around us--even those who are strangers.

A nice children's story about friendship, family, and learning to share.

Lovely story! The importance of community and of helping a person in need. Children can learn a lot from this story! I love it !