Cover Image: A Windy Spring Day

A Windy Spring Day

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

Quick Summary: A fighting fear with friends children's fiction read

My Review: A Windy Spring Day: God Gives Us Friends When We're Afraid authored by Wendy Dunham and illustrated by Michal Sparks is associated with the Tales of Buttercup Grove series.

About the Book: Much like a Winnie the Pooh reader, this book introduces a cute and lovable character, along with his "we're all in this together" group of friends. The lead character, who just so happens to be a skunk, is frightened by a wind storm. He phones a friend for support. Thereafter, the friend comes over and spends time with the skunk. They engage in a wonderful arts and crafts project, which ultimately turns the negative experience into something positive.

My Final Say: Not only is this book about friends aiding a friend in need, but it is also about shifting thinking from negative to positive. I would definitely give this book my stamp to approval.

Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: Y
Series: Yes
Status: Elementary aged kids (grades 1-3)
Level: G
Illustrations: ⭐

Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Harvest House Publishers, Harvest Kids). Thanks for granting access to this title in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

A Windy Spring Day is one of the most precious books I read. I wish I had this when my son was growing up. He had the Veggie tales - loved them too but this one compares - it is big.....the pictures are incredible. They are crisp and clear and so cute. They talk about such important subjects that parents need to talk to their kids - fear - anxiety - true friendships - showed them how to take care of those problems - these things are absolutely wonderful - I love this book........

Was this review helpful?

This book has a lovely feel to it, with a cute, engaging story. However the Scripture felt very much tacked on the end. Skunk learns to overcome his fear of the wind, not because of God but because of help from his friends.

Was this review helpful?

Weather can be frightening to a child as in the case for skunk in A Windy Spring Day (God Gives Us Friends When We're Afraid) by Wendy Dunham. This quick reading book looks at friendship, sharing wisdom and seeing the things that cause us fear from a different perspective. Instead of lecturing skunk, raccoon provided what he needed to overcome his fear a windy day. It is simple story with great truths.

There is much to like about this book. The illustrations are gently colorful, not taking away from the text. It has short chapters with the illustrations reminiscence of the old silent movies signs. Then the text has raccoon coming up with an idea that is not given straight away, that would be intriguing for a young reader. I appreciated the verse at the end, perfect for this story but a truth that the reader can also claim. Also the text is repetitive for a young reader to be able to read independently at about the end of first grade. Though I found I enjoyed it as much as my grandchildren.

This is a wonderful glimpse into life in Buttercup Grove which is a whimsical place where animals live in harmony and friendship. This is a community that I hope will become a series since several animals were part of this story.

Was this review helpful?

I enjoyed this story. It was a sweet, simple story with adorable pictures that is perfect for preschoolers. I liked how the important Bible themes are interwoven throughout the story and then completed with a simple verse at the end. This would make a great gift book for friends with little ones and a meaningful yet fun book for story time.

Was this review helpful?

Everything about this book is cute -- the characters, the message approach and the story. It is a nice book to read to your children, as well as your class at church. They will enjoy it and you will enjoy reading it to them. Sometimes having a cute little story to send a message and teach is perfect as well as helpful.

Was this review helpful?

Beautiful illustrations that complement a light-hearted story of friendship and faith.

Was this review helpful?

It’s a sweet story of friendship and caring. Raccoon is a wonderful example of a friend being there for his friend through thick and thin.
The last page includes an applicable Bible verse, but the parallels aren’t really drawn for you. You will have to figure out how it applies.
The illustrations were wonderful, cheerful, simple, and colorful.
I received this as a free ARC through NetGalley and Harvest House Publishers. No favorable review was required, and these are my honest opinions.

Was this review helpful?

One word: Adorable!

It's a great story of friendship along the same lines as Frog and Toad.
There were great illustrations and I loved the warm feeling I got when the book was complete.

Was this review helpful?

A cute story about friendship for young readers in the vein of Frog and Toad.
This is a short tale about overcoming fear with friendship, capped off with a Bible verse.
"When I am afraid I will trust in You." Loved the sweet illustrations too.
Look forward to the rest of this fun series!

Was this review helpful?

A Windy Spring Day is about a skunk that is afraid of the wind while he is at home alone. He calls his friend Racoon who offers to come over and bring a surprise to help Skunk through his fears.

This was a cute book about friendship, that showcases being afraid and needing the help of others. The story is very cute and a quick read with a quick message and the illustrations are adorable.The story ends with a Bible verse (as the title alludes to) however it is not necessarily needed to focus the moral nor is it forced upon the reader, which I appreciated.

I think that the overall idea the book portrays is a good one and important for young readers.

Review will be live on blog closer to release date.

Was this review helpful?

This was a cute easy reader for young kids! Nice story about a little skunk who is afraid of the wind. His buddies come to the rescue and show him how fun a wind day can be! young kids will enjoy this. I think maybe it will make a nice gift for a Christian child as it ends with a Bible verse.

Was this review helpful?

An excellent and moving tale of friendship with a great message.

Was this review helpful?

In this story Skunk is home alone on a very windy day. He does not like wind and if fact it scares him. He calls his friend Raccoon who knows his friend, Skunk, very well and knows how much he dislikes windy days. Raccoon tells Sunk he will come over to his house. Racoon takes some items with him so Skunk and he can make a kite. By making the kite together, Skunk is distracted and the wind does not scare him. When they are finished they invite their friends to go fly the kite with them. By doing this, Racoon has shown Skunk that sometimes, you can take a not so nice situation and turn it into a very nice situation, especially if you have someone who cares. I am giving this story a 3.5 rounding to 4 stars.

Was this review helpful?