The Deer Watch

Feel the anticipation — and share the moment of discovery — as a young boy and his dad set out to find one of nature’s unforgettable wonders.

A father promises his young son that this summer they will see a deer. They set out over the dunes, through the marsh, and into the woods, searching for a white-flag tail or a set of leaping legs. But deer are hard to find, especially if your feet want to dance and your nose tickles until you sneeze. Squirrels scurry up trees, rabbits leap out of sight, and a pheasant flushes into the sky, but the deer remain hidden until the boy is almost ready to give up and head home. A captivating, lyrical narrative and oil-on-linen landscape illustrations create a sense of quiet suspense as a young boy experiences a sight he will hold in his memory forever.

Pat Lowery Collins is the author of many books for children and young adults, including the novels Hidden Voices: The Orphan Musicians of Venice and Daughter of Winter. About The Deer Watch, she says, “The mystical feelings I experienced when sighting two fawns in the early morning were the inspiration for this tale.” She lives in Massachusetts.

David Slonim is a fine artist and writer and illustrator for children. He is the illustrator of Moishe’s Miracle by Laura Krauss Melmed and the author-illustrator of He Came with the Couch and Oh, Ducky! David Slonim lives in Indiana.