The bunny and mouse duo from Looking for Colors with Lily and Milo (2017) returns in a new outing to gather treasures in the woods. On a rainy, windy day the two set off to explore the woods while leaves fall, fruit trees shed their apples and pears, forest creatures (hedgehog, snail, owl, and squirrel) provide some intrigue, and the sun finally appears. The somewhat more mature and levelheaded Lily continues to provide her experienced guidance to the curious and exuberant Milo. When they come across a variety of bright-red mushrooms with white spots, Lily wisely states that though they are pretty to look at, We can't pick mushrooms....They have to stay in the woods. Lily creates a nice centerpiece from her collection of leaves and such, while Milo can't seem to choose and brings everything he can carry home. The text consists of short, declarative sentences translated from the original Dutch and also includes sporadic interactive elements that ask children to consider various items on the page. Toddlers stay engaged by selecting the appropriate clothing from a list of choices, by finding a spider away from its web, or by looking for acorns and pine cones with Milo. Charming characters are outlined in black and filled with bold colors and set against pale backdrops. The thick, durable pages make this perfect for multiple readings and page turnings for the youngest listeners. - Kirkus Reviews PreS-Gr 1- The bunny and mouse duo introduced in Looking for Colors with Lily and Milo are back for new adventures that take place on an autumn day. Lily is the sensible partner who explains everything to excitable, adventurous Milo. Lily points out an owl, a spider web, a snail, an owl and many other items that one may find in the woods/forest but also imparts the wisdom that they cannot pick mushrooms because they should be left in the forest. The text is written in such a way that as Lily is explaining many things to Milo, questions are being asked of the readers as well; What should Lily and Milo wear? Which leaves would you choose? But where is the little spider? These types of interactive features allow young children to stay engaged within the text. The illustrations are bright in color and outlined in black against neutral backdrops, which brings the story to life and captures the feel of a fall day. The story ends with Lily bringing the leaves and pinecones home to create a fall centerpiece and in full character, Milo has decided to do something a bit more eccentric. VERDICT A brightly colored seasonal read-aloud that will engage children and allow for natural questioning and conversation. - Kristen Todd-Wurm, Middle Country Public Library, NY / School Library Journal
