Beverley McWilliams (text) and Hélène Magisson (illustrator), Willow’s Gumboots, MidnightSun Publishing, October 2024, 32 pp., RRP $29.99 (hbk), ISBN 9781922858535
Willow loves her watermelon-coloured gumboots and wears them EVERYWHERE! So it’s no surprise when she soon discovers a hole in her beloved boots, not ideal for playing outside on cold, wet days, and stores them away. When green shoots herald spring, new plantings and new beginnings, Willow is inspired to find a new use for her gumboots in the garden, a new purchase and maybe even a career.
Good descriptive language and onomatopoeia add a lyrical quality to the text, brought to life by Hélène Magisson’s atmospheric, whimsical illustrations. Backmatter on upcycling, including a fun activity, supports and extends the story.
A cute, colourful tale that will delight young readers ages 4+, nature lovers and gardeners.
Reviewed by Maura Pierlot