Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree

by Naoko Stoop Narrated by Emma Lysy

Overview

This new adventure with Red Knit Cap Girl and her friends uses simple prose and radiant storytelling to shine a light on the joy of reading and the importance of working together.

One day Red Knit Cap Girl and her friends discover a hollow tree in the middle of the forest. What can be done with one ordinary tree? "I will keep my book in this nook so everyone can read it," Red Knit Cap Girl says.

But the tree isn't only for books. Little by little, one by one, the animals share their unique gifts and turn the ordinary tree into a special spot for everyone to enjoy!

Editorial Reviews

The New York Times - Maria Russo

This is an especially clever contribution to Stoop's earthy yet sweetly mystical series…because in all three books her unusual illustrations—pops of bright color against soft washes of neutral earth tones—are done with acrylic, ink and pencil on plywood. You can see the grain of the wood emanating through the artwork, and the effect is quite striking. In the way that looking at actual trees can call forth deep-seated human emotion, the books deliver a pleasantly grounded feeling; there is something simultaneously calming and mood-elevating about them. It's as though the pages were themselves part of the natural world, and in Red Knit Cap Girl and the Reading Tree, Stoop uses the actual wood grain to create the texture on her many drawings of trees. Which feels like a slam-dunk decision.

From the Publisher

"Children will delight in pointing out the many little humorous touches, while parents and librarians will take a quiet and glorious pleasure in sharing a story about books and reading. There is nary a beep to be heard or a flashing to be seen in this loving ode to the printed page, reading and sharing stories."—Kirkus

"This combines a bundle of sweet elements-soft, inviting artwork; a simple yet attention holding tale; and a strong message. The adorable Red Knit Cap Girl, with her readily identifiable outfit and her pinpoint eyes, is a charmer."—Booklist

School Library Journal

10/01/2014
PreS-Gr 1—Red Knit Cap Girl and her woodland friends return in an adventure focused on about books. When Squirrel shows Red Knit Cap Girl a tree with a huge nook, she has an idea. "I will keep my book in this nook so everyone can read it.'" Squirrel, White Bunny, Bear, and Hedgehog love the idea so much that they soon add their own books, too. As the idea spreads, more and more animals add to the nook. Beaver wants to participate, but he doesn't have any books, so he gnaws a bookshelf for the contributions. When autumn arrives, so do the sheep with warm wool blankets for the readers. The final touch is when Moon and Owl work through the night to make the perfect sign: "Library." "'A library is a place where anyone can borrow a book,'" the child explains. This last bit is aimed at Sly Fox, who thought he was stealing books. Stoop's straightforward text is a good match for her illustrations. Soft, sweet, and a bit retro, they are done on plywood whose grain shows subtly under the art. Beautiful background washes set the scene for the main characters, who are expressive despite having no mouths and dots for eyes. The pictures, on single page and full spreads, clearly support the text. A story about reading, friendship and working together—what's not to love?—Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Library, Troy, NH

Kirkus Reviews

2014-07-29
A little girl and her forest friends build the perfect, albeit old-fashioned, library. In two previous titles, Red Knit Cap Girl talked to the moon and rescued a lost animal. Here, readers see her as a book lover who establishes a library in a "nook," a hollow in a great tree. With contributions from White Bunny, Squirrel, Hedgehog, Bear and the Birds, its collection of books grows. Beaver has no books, but he builds a shelf. Only Sly Fox lacks the requisite community spirit (he steals a book). The Sheep bring blankets for winter snuggling, while Moon and Owl provide a finishing touch by creating a sign that says "Library." Once again, Stoop's acrylic, pencil and ink artwork on plywood provides appealing textures and delicately nuanced colors for daytime, nighttime and the passing seasons. Children will delight in pointing out the many little humorous touches, while parents and librarians will take a quiet and glorious pleasure in sharing a story about books and reading. There is nary a beep to be heard or a flashing light to be seen in this loving ode to the printed page, reading and sharing stories. All will agree with Red Knit Cap Girl: "It is good to share books." (Picture book. 3-6)

Product Details

BN ID:	2940172657542
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	10/27/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged
Age Range:	Up to 4 Years

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