Firsts and Lasts

With evocative words and glorious cut-paper collages, this celebration of the transitions between seasons summons the first—and last—signals of the seasonal cycle.

What is the first sign of spring? And what is the last glimpse of winter? The joy of the changing seasons means saying hello to new but familiar rituals, like spring picnics in the park or homemade lemonade in summer. But there’s also the bittersweet feeling of doing something for the last time, like mowing the lawn one final time on a brown day in autumn, or watching the last of the geese fly south in the early weeks of winter. Whichever way you mark the changing of the seasons, every year feels like an extraordinary miracle! In this jubilant ode to seasonal rituals, Leda Schubert evokes the familiar, enchanting rhythm of the four seasons, while Clover Robin’s bold collages bring warmth and magic to everyday occurrences.

Leda Schubert is the author of numerous books for children, including Dogs Love Cars, illustrated by Paul Meisel; the Brand New Reader series of Winnie books, illustrated by William Benedict; Monsieur Marceau, illustrated by Gerard Dubois, winner of the Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction; and many others. Leda Schubert has an MFA in writing for children from Vermont College, served on the Caldecott committee, and lives in Vermont with her husband and their goldendoodles.

Clover Robin is a collage artist and the author and illustrator of several books for children, including Cut Paper Pictures, Bug Hotel, and Bird House. Originally from Devon, England, Clover Robin now lives in London.