Book Review: The Littlest Weaver (children's book, Applachia, mended families)(OT)

The Littlest Weaver, by Robin Hall (Familius, 2023, 32 pp HB, 4-6 years, preschool to grade 1, $17.99) Review by Skye Anderson

The Littlest Weaver's author sold and signed books at the 2024 Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival that took place in May at the Howard County Fairgrounds (May 4-5). 

I am so glad I met her! It is only June but I am considering the Weaver for my Book of the Year already!

It is a rather large book, large enough for little hands, with lovely watercolor illustrations by Stella Lim - and many pages have a little surprise or two if you look hard enough! Sometimes it is an 'almost' hidden bird or a deer or both.

And, too, you will find a rhyme that repeats so the littlest readers can remember it.

A Story of Loss and Love and Story Rugs Filled with Honeysuckle and Summer Sunshine. . . .

A stranger moves to town so Laurel and her father drop in for a welcome visit that turns out to be not so welcome. From the door Laurel sees a lonely doll and asks if the man has a little girl she can play with. "I used to," was the answer before the door closed in her face.

Can you find the lonely little doll?

And yet they try again. And again. And Laurel says, "He misses them [his family who died], Pa, like we do [Laurel's mother passed away, too]," Laurel said, kicking a pebble down the path. "He's at the cloudy days part. He needs rain showers to get to the rainbow."

And finally, Laurel and her dad find a way to help the new neighbor with an ending so unexpected and loving you will not soon forget it.

We eagerly await Robin Hall's next book!

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And I love the description on the inside back cover that says the author lives with her handsome husband, five children, four dogs, three weaving looms and too many chickens to count!