"Wind Whirls" by Mélina Mangal is a new installment in her series of picturebooks that invite the child reader to contemplate the elements of the natural surroundings, even in a city, and their connections to them. I like how the illustrator's choice of interesting angles from which she depicts the scenes seems to invite readers to look at familiar events from new points of view.

Thanks to the publisher for inviting me to review this title and for providing me with an eARC through NetGalley. The opinion above is my own (from someone well outside the target age group, who works with children’s literature professionally).

What is wind? How does it sound? What does it do?
This precious little book packs a charming punch. I love how the author describes wind to small children in such a way that it comes to life. The beautiful illustrations only add to the depth of this book. They are absolutely stunning.
We follow Kamali and Josiah as they bundle up and head outside on a windy day. They experience the wind. They discover that wind is strong and can make things move. It can also carry smells. I really loved that part the most because it ties in the smells of their family cooking.
I would like to thank NetGalley for the ARC and the ability to give my honest review.
It publishes November 23, 2025 and would be a perfect addition to your little one’s library.

This was surprisingly sweet and adorable. I love the pictures displayed in the house before the kids take their walk, and the adorable family gathering at the end. It’s perfectly magical for young kids to read about experiencing nature.

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC of Wind Whirls by Mangal, Mélina. It was a fun book for kids to learn new words, learn about nature and enjoy the little things in life.

i love the gentle, sensory-driven storytelling and its focus on urban nature and family bonds. a meaningful early learning tool on nature and perfect for young kids.

This was a very cute book teaching children about wind in a fun way. The illustrations were lovely, and the story was short and sweet. It's a great book for toddlers to introduce them to the sounds and feeling of wind.

This was an enchanting little book, making an ordinary part of nature—wind—into an extraordinary wonder. The illustrations were super cozy, and I appreciated the simplicity of the text and how carefully each word was chosen. I really enjoyed getting back in touch with childlike wonder, the kind that makes you revisit details you've taken for granted and lights up all that's around you.

Book about observing the wind for very young kids!

This book has cute illustrations and very simple writing that encourages kids to observe the wind. Definitely geared towards very young children as it contains very little information and is rather short.

Recommended for families with toddler aged children.

Wind Whirls is a delightfully charming children's picture book by Mangal Melina. Two young children embark on a walk through the city to their grandparents' home. Along the way, the encounter the gusty chill of the wind as it pushes against them. Leaves blow all around them. the children learn that wind is a wonderful element of nature that everyone encounters even though it can pose as a challenge at times. Young readers will marvel at the ingenuity of this natural force. Parents and caretakers will rightfully delight in knowing that their children are approaching science along their journey through literacy. Teachers should eagerly read and share this children's picture book to classes filled with early readers.

This book is a wonderful way to incorporate science and nature into the classroom and into every child's journey through literature!

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: I love this series. Once again, the author has managed to make the mundane magical. Wind is something that’s always around us, and yet I rarely give it a second thought. This book made me want to stop, feel, listen, investigate—and I’m an adult! It honestly made me want to run outside, stand in my yard, and just experience the breeze.

As always, the illustrations are gorgeous, but the true magic is in the story. I would happily read this with any child, mine or otherwise, and then head outside to put it into practice.

Thank you to NetGalley, Free Spirit Publishing, Melina Mangal, and Stella Lim for this advanced copy. This review is voluntary and all opinions are my own.

Thank you so much to Netgalley, Free spirit Publishing and the author for the opportunity to read this as an arc.

Wind whirls is the fourth installment in the Outside Our Window series, this time the two children learn about wind. The series focuses on how children can connect with nature even while living in a city, and gives useful advice on how to help them understand the nature around us.

I was very happy to find the email about this in my inbox this morning, and I had to read it and review it immediately. As said for the previous instalment, the illustrations are beautiful. They are simple but effective, and pair perfectly with each little story. This time I have to add that they felt pretty magical too, the way the wind is represented gives the illustrations a magical vibe. The book is perfect for toddlers but also for slightly older kids that want to learn new things about the world around them.