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Over in the Woodland: A Mythological Counting Journey by Shar Abreu, Susanna Covelli, Nicole Abreu
christieb123's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book. If my children were younger, this is one I would read/sing to them at bedtime. The illustrations are beautiful and because the words are to the familiar rhythm of "Over in the Meadow", it's enchanting to read. I also love the glossary of mythical creatures at the end. I have been given an Advanced Reader Copy in exchange for my honest review.
kpossible2023's review against another edition
5.0
“Over in the Woodland” is a beautifully illustrated picture book about a pride of griffins adventuring through the woods. They peek at different creatures as they go about their day until they make it back home to their mother griffin.
This story is a wonderful blend of counting and picture search with an added flare of magic. “Over the Woodland” centers on the meaning of family. Each creature that appears in the book is actively learning and living together in harmony. It is a part of the circle of life that each parent or guardian shares their knowledge with their children so that they can grow. “Over the Woodland” is an endearing tale of family life that is elegantly depicted in the images of these magical creatures.
This story is a wonderful blend of counting and picture search with an added flare of magic. “Over the Woodland” centers on the meaning of family. Each creature that appears in the book is actively learning and living together in harmony. It is a part of the circle of life that each parent or guardian shares their knowledge with their children so that they can grow. “Over the Woodland” is an endearing tale of family life that is elegantly depicted in the images of these magical creatures.
msgabbythelibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Most storytellers are familiar with "Over in the Meadow"--that classic song. Well, "Over in the Woodland" is a mythical take, filled with centaurs, mermaids, and cyclops!
I must confess, the illustrations were my favorite part of the book. They were STUNNING. I truly wanted to be in this woodland world forever. As a librarian, I can see the children oohing and aahing with every page!
Here is one thing though I did not care for. There is a hidden griffin on every page. Which is great in theory. Kids love hidden things to find. What I discovered was that it meant the counting part of the tale difficult. Sometimes the griffin was so pronounced you counted him with the other creatures on the page. Which kind of defeats the counting purpose if you get it wrong.
Still, this book is gorgeous and a fun addition to the collection--especially for fantasy fans!
**Thanks to Edelweiss and Familius Publishing for the ARC of this book**
I must confess, the illustrations were my favorite part of the book. They were STUNNING. I truly wanted to be in this woodland world forever. As a librarian, I can see the children oohing and aahing with every page!
Here is one thing though I did not care for. There is a hidden griffin on every page. Which is great in theory. Kids love hidden things to find. What I discovered was that it meant the counting part of the tale difficult. Sometimes the griffin was so pronounced you counted him with the other creatures on the page. Which kind of defeats the counting purpose if you get it wrong.
Still, this book is gorgeous and a fun addition to the collection--especially for fantasy fans!
**Thanks to Edelweiss and Familius Publishing for the ARC of this book**
mckenzierichardson's review against another edition
4.0
For more reviews, check out my blog: Craft-Cycle
A lovely mythical version of "Over in the Meadow" that incorporates counting and magical creatures into a soothing rhyme. Magical read from a twin writing duo.
The book also includes a scavenger hunt feature for added engagement. Readers are challenged to find the griffin on each page as they traverse the Woodland to meet various creatures.
I really liked that there were just as many fathers depicted as mothers. Each parent is shown helping, teaching, and guiding their children in a certain task, from dancing to archery to forging weapons.
The illustrations are gorgeous, very moody and dark while still portraying the magic and brightness of the world created. There's a nice variety of creatures presented, including mermaids, cyclopes, trolls, and unicorns, that all children are likely to find at least one that interests them. I do think the illustrations may appeal more to adults than children. The darkness of the pallet on many pages adds to the beauty, but may not be as eye-catching to young children.
At the end of the book is short guide to the beings featured with a little more information about them.
A great story for children interested in mythological creatures that can be used to help teach and review counting, rhyming, and action labels.
A lovely mythical version of "Over in the Meadow" that incorporates counting and magical creatures into a soothing rhyme. Magical read from a twin writing duo.
The book also includes a scavenger hunt feature for added engagement. Readers are challenged to find the griffin on each page as they traverse the Woodland to meet various creatures.
I really liked that there were just as many fathers depicted as mothers. Each parent is shown helping, teaching, and guiding their children in a certain task, from dancing to archery to forging weapons.
The illustrations are gorgeous, very moody and dark while still portraying the magic and brightness of the world created. There's a nice variety of creatures presented, including mermaids, cyclopes, trolls, and unicorns, that all children are likely to find at least one that interests them. I do think the illustrations may appeal more to adults than children. The darkness of the pallet on many pages adds to the beauty, but may not be as eye-catching to young children.
At the end of the book is short guide to the beings featured with a little more information about them.
A great story for children interested in mythological creatures that can be used to help teach and review counting, rhyming, and action labels.
kailey_luminouslibro's review against another edition
5.0
This picture book counts up mythical creatures in a magical fairyland as they dance and fly with their parents. Each family of fairies, griffins, centaurs, and trolls grows in size as we count from 1 to 10. The rhyming text is meant to be sung to the tune of "Over in the Meadow".
Each mystical family is in their own element. The mermaids swim in cool water. The centaurs practice archery in a forest. The dragons fly through the clouds. The dwarves carve rock and stone. The mother or father teaches their children to work together and learn the magic ways of the woodland.
The illustrations are marvelous. The art is warm, rich, and vibrant. There are tiny details in the illustrations that make each scene come alive with magic: little dew drops on a leaf, the sparkle of a waterfall, the strands of hair or fur on the mythic creatures. Each little whisker is alive with energy and movement.
My favorite illustration is of "a bright father phoenix" and his little phoenix child. They are reborn from the ashes and fly up towards the sun with flaming feathers and glowing eyes. The artwork is incredibly beautiful with the rays of the sunshine illuminating the entire scene.
I sang this book to my nieces and they loved it! The text is perfect in every way. The rhymes are good, the rhythm is correct, and the lyrics are clever and fun! It's easy to sing along.
One of the best things about this book is that there is a griffin hidden in each scene. At the beginning of the story, the mother griffin sends her children out to "guard every home" in the woodland. So the griffins are hiding in the background of each scene, watching over the fairy families, and keeping everyone safe. At the end of the story, the griffins return to their den at nightfall and report back to their mother that the woodland is "all safe."
I LOVE picture books with hidden things to look for in each page, and I love how the griffins tie the entire story arc together.
I am so in love with this book! This is one of those books that you keep forever and read to your grandkids someday.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
Each mystical family is in their own element. The mermaids swim in cool water. The centaurs practice archery in a forest. The dragons fly through the clouds. The dwarves carve rock and stone. The mother or father teaches their children to work together and learn the magic ways of the woodland.
The illustrations are marvelous. The art is warm, rich, and vibrant. There are tiny details in the illustrations that make each scene come alive with magic: little dew drops on a leaf, the sparkle of a waterfall, the strands of hair or fur on the mythic creatures. Each little whisker is alive with energy and movement.
My favorite illustration is of "a bright father phoenix" and his little phoenix child. They are reborn from the ashes and fly up towards the sun with flaming feathers and glowing eyes. The artwork is incredibly beautiful with the rays of the sunshine illuminating the entire scene.
I sang this book to my nieces and they loved it! The text is perfect in every way. The rhymes are good, the rhythm is correct, and the lyrics are clever and fun! It's easy to sing along.
One of the best things about this book is that there is a griffin hidden in each scene. At the beginning of the story, the mother griffin sends her children out to "guard every home" in the woodland. So the griffins are hiding in the background of each scene, watching over the fairy families, and keeping everyone safe. At the end of the story, the griffins return to their den at nightfall and report back to their mother that the woodland is "all safe."
I LOVE picture books with hidden things to look for in each page, and I love how the griffins tie the entire story arc together.
I am so in love with this book! This is one of those books that you keep forever and read to your grandkids someday.
Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts, and are not influenced by anyone.
maidmarianlib's review against another edition
3.0
Stunning illustrations the cadence of the poem has some tensions
librarian_kat's review against another edition
medium-paced
4.5
The creatures are illustrated delightfully and convey that they are indeed mythological magical creatures. In addition to being quite visually appealing the book takes a refreshingly differrnt approach to counting. Overall it is a book that I plan on using for a counting storytime. There arr descriptions in the back of the book of the mythological creatures that older children would enjoy.
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