This book is about collections.
But really it is about embracing children’s passions.
Heart-warming and hilarious!
Edelweiss:
An over-the-top example of the child we all know and adore:
the one who goes all-in for a new passion or collection
A Pinecone!
by Helen Yoon
2024, Candlewick
The delightful character from Helen Yoon’s Off-Limits is back. This time she is taking a walk with her dad – and their dog. While Dad has his hands full managing the dog, his curious little daughter is collecting pinecones…lots and lots of pinecones…an entire family of pinecones.
The Dad and dog comedy carry the page-turns. Our little protagonist sets about naming every pinecone she can carry…and then chaos ensues.
She fills, boots, buckets, dog dishes, and chairs. She’s throwing a Pinecone Family reunion…and soon the house is filled with more than these woody blossoms.
This is a story told with few words…and all the love of a parent who, when he comes up for air, funnels his daughter’s pinecone enthusiasm into a warm-hearted holiday celebration.
Five Words: Tribute to little ones’ collections.
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Patricia Franz writes picture books and poetry. She believes children, dogs, and sourdough have a lot to teach us about life, joy, and wonder. She has raised two boys, four dogs, and holds a master’s degree in Theology with a focus on children’s spirituality. Patricia, her husband, her Bernese Mountain dog, Bonny, and her sourdough starter split their time between the Arizona desert and the Sierra Nevada mountains. 
That sounds like so much fun! Definitely good for re-reads. Thanks, Patricia.
I love EVERYTHING about the illustrations on this one – her huge eyes and grabby hands, and the father, face-planted in mud, being yanked and pulled about by world’s most eager mutt. I love that in the images you’ve chosen we don’t even ever wholly see the dog – nope, he’s off, and Dad’s… trailing behind like a kite on a string. Combined, the illustrations and the topic are firmly in the land of 100% reality in terms of the obliviousness of collectors and their hyperfocus on their collections. What a fun one to share on a mudlicious Spring day.
How sweet is this? And after last week, when my 3-year-old great-niece was more enthralled by a pinecone at the zoo than the animals. Love!
Patricia, I love that the father honors the little girl’s collection. It sounds like a sweet book. Thanks for the review.
Thanks for the recommendation, Patricia!
Thanks for the recommendation. Love the illos! I just picked up a few myself. I am inspired by the flowers that people make from them. We’ll see!
LOL! That’s such a DAD walk…what a fun and funny way to handle a tender-hearted kid’s desire to collect. I love it. Thanks for sharing.
I ADORE these illustrations! And this child. 🙂 Pure delight. Thanks, Patricia!
Looks like a book full of giggles AND pinecones, Patricia! Thanks for the share!
My niece is a collector of all things nature — sticks, leaves, seeds, rocks…whatever catches her eye. Luckily she has patient parents who allow for her messy nature museums outside the front door!