• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3
• Reading age: 4 to 8

A poetic and informative exploration of the many ways animals face the challenges of winter.

When the autumn days grow shorter and the temperatures cool, animals prepare for winter. Some, the hiders, choose a place to rest and wait out the winter, hibernating under the ground or snuggling in a sheltered spot. Other creatures are seekers, migrating to new locations where the weather is milder and the food sources more plentiful. And then there are the finders, who keep warm and fed by adapting to the new conditions. Every animal knows just what to do --- following an ingenious plan that's just right for them!

Jessica Kulekjian's lyrical informational picture book uses expressive text supplemented with sidebars to explain how different animals survive winter. While the compelling narrative tells the bigger story, the sidebars provide fascinating information about specific winter animal behaviors --- for example, how box turtles lower their heart rates, and monarch butterflies travel all the way to Mexico! Salini Perera's stunning illustrations show the concepts in detail and provide a visual story, featuring a father and a child, that evocatively traces the subtle changes in the landscape from late fall to early spring. Grouping the animals into three categories makes for easier comprehension of topics such as hibernation, migration and adaptation. Back matter contains a guide to tracking prints in the snow, an author's note and a list of resources. There are strong links here to primary grades' earth and life sciences curriculums. This is also a perfect read-aloud for a snowy day!

Before Jessica Kulekjian was a teacher and writer, she spent her childhood playing among trees and imagining stories. As she grew, her love of learning sprouted alongside a dream to become an author. Before We Stood Tall is her first book. Jessica lives in central California with her family.

Jessica Kulekjian's profile page

Salini Perera is a freelance illustrator from Toronto. She was born in Sri Lanka, raised in Scarborough, and has been making art for as long as she can remember. Now, she gets to make art for picture books, a lifelong dream come true. She lives in the city's east end with her husband, Michael, and their two cats, Victoria and Albert.

Salini Perera's profile page

... a treasure. Its unique presentation will appeal to those who are already nature lovers and may spark that magic moment when a not-yet nature lover looks up with wonder.—CM Magazine (Praise for Before We Stood Tall)

An excellent book to use in earth and life science units ... it makes concepts of hibernation, migration, and adaptation easier for young readers to understand.

School Library Journal

A solid look at animals in the winter and the ways they weather the weather.

Kirkus Reviews