we're off to the forest

I have to admit that at my age, I’m a terribly picky picture book consumer. I want to see hand-drawn illustrations, or something that looks like it took time and an excess of skill to create. In other words, I am serious about picture book art being ART. After all, how am I to maintain my title of best book gifting auntie ever without a discerning eye? But seriously though – an artful book for children is a wonder, and I am constantly on the lookout for something that matches an aesthetic I can only articulate as “hard work slash art!” Katarína Macurová's forthcoming picture book We're Off to the Forest, translated by Andrew Oakland, met that vague criteria on the merits of its cover art, which hint at its forest-in-autumn theme, and illustrations full of color, depth, and texture. Here we are!

Autumn is here. The forest is awash with colour. Leaves flutter to the ground, where they rustle underfoot. It’s getting colder. The animals are preparing for winter. A daddy squirrel and his son go to the forest every day – for stores, and for something else. Shh … Do you hear that? A story is coming your way. A story tender and warm, about an ordinary, extraordinary forest, ordinary, extraordinary treasure within it, and how even little things can change the big, wide world.

A young squirrel is the narrator in this picture book, and they are excited to go with their father into the forest on their daily mission to look after their acorn. However, lots of animals in the forest like to eat acorns too – what makes this one special? This acorn was planted, and it is slowly turning into an oak tree! Katarína Macurová’s detailed illustrations, all in full autumnal color, span two pages each for a rich and varied forest landscape. The art alone makes this title worthy of many reads and re-reads.

We’re Off to the Forest is a quaint and beautifully illustrated picture book about a squirrel family at its core, but on a much larger scale it is a lesson on how forests are ecosystems that feed and shelter all of the animals within them. The “lesson” of the book will spark interest in how readers can care for the natural world in sustainable ways – and maybe they too can adopt an “acorn” in their corner of the world. The oak tree that the acorn came from in this story is 500 years old, and feeds many different animal families in the forest. Each of these animals are lovingly illustrated in bright colors, with lots of contrast (purples next to greens! oranges and yellows next to browns!) making for an attractive and engaging visual experience as well. I was particularly charmed by some cute touches, such as the little squirrel’s acorn cap hat, and the different sorts of mushrooms illustrated within the pages.

In all, We’re Off to the Forest is a delightful and short read to share before going on a nature walk, leaf-peeping trip, or acorn-collecting with young ones.

Recommended for: reading aloud to children ages 3-5, fans of Kate Messner’s Over and Under series, and anyone interested in sharing about the lifecycle of the forest in beautiful picture book form.

We're Off to the Forest will be published by Albatros on September 24, 2024.

Fine print: I received an advanced digital copy of the text from the publisher (Albatros) at Picture Book Palooza. I did not receive any compensation for this post.