Robin’s Winter Song

When Robin first encounters a change in autumn, it is clear that he is quite a young, naive bird. For, never having experienced the colder season, he assumes that ‘winter’ is a greedy, cold and scary creature, capable of all the harsh and terrible things of which the animals hint. But it is not until he feels the joy and beauty of a snow covered world that Robin is truly bedazzled by this wondrous season.

A very simple story told in easy, evocative language of the coming of winter. Using someone even smaller than themselves is a good way for the very young to access information about the world, and it makes children feel superior and in command when the hero is more unknowing than they. For this story works on the premise that little ones are apt to build a picture based on their previous experiences and this can often be the wrong picture.

Charming, decorative images with a vintage feel use a limited colour palette sparingly. The influence of Japanese prints is also present in the sense of airiness and flat pattern, while a combination of collage and drawing demonstrates a delicate and skilled hand. There’s an engaging quality to the animals interaction and a heartfelt community spirit is demonstrated as they nestle down together to keep warm.