• Age: 1 to 3
• Grade: p

Blustery wind burns and shrieks
Nibbles on my nose and cheeks

For preschoolers, windy fall days mean excitement and play. Strong winds stimulate children and their surroundings, as though an invisible hand is shaking the world. Gentler breezes help plants scatter their seeds, set pinwheels in motion, and keep kite strings taut. But fiercer winds begin to sting the cheeks as they bring about a new season…

In Windy Days, author Deborah Kerbel once again captures the magic of early childhood awe and wonder with rhyming couplets as light as a breath of fresh air. Illustrator Miki Sato's unique tactile collage art pops off the page through its detailed use of hand-stitching and textural materials.

"Kerbel’s couplets include both concrete details and more poetic abstractions. Sato's deceptively simple illustrations are almost tangible in their layers, showcasing an array of stitches, paper finishes, and fabric surfaces, and depicting an inclusive cast."—Publishers Weekly review of Snow Days

DEBORAH KERBEL a écrit des livres pour les jeunes adultes, les préadolescents et les lecteurs débutants. Ses romans ont été présélectionnés pour les Prix littéraires du Gouverneur général, le prix du livre de l’année pour les jeunes adultes de l’Association canadienne des bibliothèques et le Manitoba Young Reader’s Choice Award. Elle vit à Toronto avec son mari, ses deux adolescents et Freddie, leur chien adopté.

DEBORAH KERBEL was born in London, England, and now lives in Thornhill, Ontario with her husband, son and daughter, and a rescue dog named Freddie. Deborah has written a number of picture books, and is the author of four young adult and two middle-grade novels, including My Deal with the Universe. Her books have been shortlisted for the Governor General’s Literary Award, the Canadian Library Association’s YA Book Award, and many readers’ choice awards. Visit her online at www.deborahkerbel.com.

Deborah Kerbel's profile page

Miki Sato is a Japanese-Canadian illustrator who uses a variety of different textures and materials to create three-dimensional images. Originally from Ottawa, she moved to Toronto to complete her degree in illustration from the Ontario College of Art and Design. Her picture books include Snow Days, which was a finalist for the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award, Sunny Days, which was a 2021 CBC Books Best Book, Windy Days, which won a Northern Lights Book Award, and Rainy Days.

Miki Sato's profile page

• Short-listed, Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year Selection
• Commended, CCBC Spring Best Books for Kids & Teens
• Winner, Northern Lights Book Awards Winner – Board Book Category

Praise for Windy Days

2023 Bank Street College of Education Best Children’s Books of the Year Selection

2023 Bank Street Library Margaret Wise Brown Best Board Books of the Year Selection

2021 Northern Lights Book Awards Winner – Board Book Category

2022 CCBC Spring Best Books for Kids & Teens Selection

2021 CBC Books "41 Canadian Picture books to watch for in fall 2021" selection

“Kerbel follows the wind through the seasons, setting scenes with strong descriptive language in two-line verses… filled with movement and joy. A diverse cast of young children interact with the wind… in Sato’s wonderfully textured mixed-media collage illustrations that seamlessly match the scenes described… The concept of wind in all its varieties is explained simply and beautifully with just enough information for curious young readers.”—Kirkus Reviews

“Kerbel and Sato's energetic picture book takes a closer look at just how alive the wind can be. Bouncy, perfectly rhyming couplets capture its varying nature, from gentle and steady to swirly and gusty… elaborate, meticulous cut-paper collage artwork depicts the motion of wind in fascinating vignettes that beautifully capture its movement, featuring cheery, softly rounded kids portrayed with just as much dynamic movement as the book's subject.”—Booklist

“The suggested activities and vocabulary at the end of the book will encourage readers to find their own fun, just like the children in the book…An enchanting STEM title that will ignite the investigative scientist in young children.”—School Library Journal

“There are many books about the concept of wind for early readers, but what makes Windy Days standout is the skillful artwork…a winning formula that celebrates and makes accessible the everyday happenings in our weather.”—CM Magazine

“Toddlers will have fun reading about wind and autumn with this nicely illustrated, rhyming story featuring a book with a padded cover, rounded corners and thick pages.”—Metroland Media

“It’s nice to see STEM activities listed at the end which can reinforce the understanding of the science…A great addition to story time or classroom study of weather for the preschool and kindergarten set.”—Youth Services Book Review

“A lovely poem, WINDY DAYS is a fun way to begin to talk about the weather with toddlers and preschoolers. Intriguing textured illustrations and fun autumn scenes make this a great one for little ones to explore.”—YA Books Central

“[T]his board book featuring collage art and descriptive language is a true joy.”—The Kid Lit Mama

“A lovely poem, WINDY DAYS is a fun way to begin to talk about the weather with toddlers and preschoolers. Intriguing textured illustrations and fun autumn scenes make this a great one for little ones to explore.”—Olivia, Goodreads

“Kerbel uses effective, rhythmic vocabulary to give her readers a real sense of the movement, power, and joy that wind provides. Miki Sato's gorgeous, mixed-media collage artwork perfectly matches the text and provides a glorious feeling of constant motion.”—Sal’s Fiction Addiction

“Not only a lovely, gentle way to introduce concepts of weather to a young audience/young readers, but also, quite simply, a genuinely beautiful and clear rhyming story that gorgeously captures the childhood wonder in experiencing the natural world.”—Fab Book Reviews

“This book just rolls off your tongue making it perfect to share as a read aloud with a big group of children. Readers will then be inspired to get outside and discover all of the things they can do in the wind.”—Storytime With Stephanie

“When a picture book, a two-dimensional source, can evoke weather such that the reader feels the bite of the wind or the slash of the briskness of leaves against skin, it's doing something terrific. I may be able to feel the wind by just stepping outside right now but I'd much rather experience it through the text and paper collage of Deborah Kerbel and Miki Sato's latest collaboration.”—CanLit for Little Canadians

“Rhythm, rhyme and alliteration make this an attractive toddler read….Bonus activities and information at the story’s end will especially appeal to parents and caregivers.”—Sherylbooks

““Windy Days”…captures the magic and beauty of autumn…. a perfect STEM primer for even the youngest of readers, with rhyming text guaranteed to keep readers engaged and curious throughout. Sato’s signature, collage-style illustrations are absolutely sensational….A fabulous fall frolic.”—@oliviathelibrarian

“5 out of 5 stars….The collage art style is absolutely phenomenal….There are so many tiny details in each scene that I could spend several minutes looking at each page. I am literally in awe of this gorgeous art!... The text is simple, but enchanting….The text flows along naturally, and is a delight to read out loud!”—Luminous Libro