When a storm sweeps through the forest, the animals come together to rebuild their woodland homes.
A single raindrop becomes a rolling storm that whips and blows, flooding and tearing apart dens and nests. After surveying the damage, the animals begin their work. Beetles roll mud that serves as glue for the birds to help rebuild nests. Bear collects berries to help feed everyone. Beaver begins building a dam to hold back the overflowing waters. All the animals do their part to bring materials to keep the river from rising. At last, their work results in refurbished nests, nooks, and burrows: houses built by love. Modeled after “The House That Jack Built,” Meserve’s simple text has a lovely cadence that makes for a strong read-aloud. The message of togetherness and connection comes through clearly as the animals help one another, each action building upon the next. Beautiful illustrations bring the forest to life. The storm is a tumultuous terror of blue sky and white lightning, the animals huddled in fear. Varied layouts make for a visually intriguing tale. Many of the images feel rich and textured enough to touch, like the soft mess of twigs, grass, and moss in the birds’ nests and the dense foliage at the story’s end. With their expressive faces and large eyes, the animals easily convey awe, confusion, worry, and determination. A lovely testament to the power of community.–Kirkus Reviews
