Cozy Winter Day

Eliza Wheeler (WheelerStudio.com) wrote and illustrated Home in the Woods and New York Times bestseller Miss Maple’s Seeds and has also illustrated several picture books (including This Is Our Baby, Born Today by Varsha Bajaj and Wherever You Go and When You Are Brave, both by Pat Zietlow Miller) and novels (including Newbery Honor winner Doll Bones by Holly Black). She grew up in northern Wisconsin in a family of teachers, musicians, and artists. Some of the strongest influences on her creativity have been the wild Wisconsin seasons, canoeing the Brule River, picking blueberries with her grandmother, and digging through the snow with her brothers. She was a recipient of the prestigious Sendak Fellowship, as well as the SCBWI International Conference Portfolio Grand Prize for her artwork. She lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

“The author/illustrator has considered every aspect of a cozy winter day, and Acorn Village is alive with detail. Readers from colder climates will recognize all the best parts of a snow day, while those from warmer climes will feel immersed in all things winter. . . . The gentle text matches the mood of the illustrations. . . . A lovely encapsulation of the best parts of winter.” —Kirkus Reviews“Across Wheeler’s quaint seasonal story, the animal residents of Acorn Village revel in winter weather that sees the community hopping with activity. . . . Sensorial text. . . . Wheeler’s jolly worldbuilding and digital renderings of Acorn Village offer up absorbingly detailed depictions of the critters’ comfortable wintertime lifestyles.” —Publishers Weekly“Whether you live in a place where it snows or simply dream of an escape from heat and humidity, cozying up in Acorn Village will be a welcome respite. A snowfall is celebrated with fun activities inside, such as cooking, reading, and crafting, followed by skating, sledding, and snowbear-building outdoors. . . . A variety of family structures are represented, including the multicolored rabbit group with two dads and five children, one of whom uses a wheelchair. There is also a single mom with a baby and an older couple, among others. The village’s fanciful houses sport gingerbread trim and bright pastel colors and are built into trees or nestled among other plants. Readers may pore over the charmingly detailed illustrations, taking in the particulars as they revel in the simple pleasures of this fantasy winter day.” —Booklist“Perfectly portrays the delights of a snow day, both indoors and out. Wheeler’s rich, colorful digital illustrations immerse readers in the atmosphere of winter. The playful art, which depicts activities that many young readers will find familiar (sledding, snowball fights), adds warmth (complete with fireplace!) to the narrative. From the first detailed endpaper to the last, this picture book will have readers wishing to wake up and fall asleep on a snow day.” —The Horn Book