Simon Says: Seasons

Naomi Brun is a librarian assistant in Communications and Community
Development at the Hamilton Public Library and a book reviewer for the
Hamilton Spectator.

Gilles Tibo is an internationally respected writer and illustrator of
children’s fiction. His Simon stories portray an imaginative little
boy discovering the world, and are accompanied by award- winning artwork
that has been showcased at the Illustrator’s Exhibition in Bologna,
Italy. Tibo’s use of pointillism and unexpected colour schemes capture
all the magic of that time in early childhood when the line between
fantasy and reality seems very thin indeed.

In Simon Says: Seasons, Simon first ventures outdoors in early spring.
The snow is just beginning to melt, the sap is just beginning to flow,
and animals are just beginning to return to the earth after a long, cold
winter. Simon helps plant flowers, build birdhouses, and wake up his
hibernating friends. Spring then turns to summer, a time when the sun
shines warmly on the ponds and meadows. Simon plays with the frogs,
chases butterflies and tries to catch the sun. In autumn, Simon says
goodbye to the birds who are heading south, and instead has fun with the
wind. He can fly a kite, blow bubbles, and watch clouds move across the
sky. When winter comes, it brings the snow. Simon counts snowflakes,
builds snowmen, and goes for a ride in a sleigh.

This very enjoyable picture book reminds parents that nature is full of
surprises for little children. Each season is good in its own way,
offering different opportunities for fun and adventure. The story
encourages children to embrace the outdoors and to be in the environment
as much as they can. Highly recommended.