The Winding Willow - by Will Hillenbrand (Hardcover)

About the Book

On his way home in the snow, Hubert finds a tree full of lost possessions, including some that belong to his family, and faces a hungry owl before bringing his found trinkets home.

Book Synopsis

Join brave young mouse Hubert Cumberbun on a fantastical wintertime adventure in this epic companion to Will Hillenbrand's acclaimed picture book The Voice in the Hollow that also includes a double gatefold surprise.

Hubert Cumberbun is on his way home. . . well, a way home! Wind obscures his path. Shadows flicker. And Hubert finds a mysterious tree, filled with enticing lost and found treasures. There's his brother's runaway shoe! His father's umbrella! The key to their house!

Now, Hubert will have to brave the surreal snowy landscape and the hungry owl who lives there to bring his found trinkets home. Holding on tight to his umbrella, he daringly soars above the wintery world below... and makes it back in time to share a delicious loaf of cinnamon bread with his family.

A companion to Will Hillenbrand's The Voice in the Hollow, The Winding Willow is a fantastical journey for fans and newcomers alike. Sparse text and epic artwork meld to create a timeless tale sure to warm families' hearts on even the coldest winter nights.

Review Quotes

Fantastical and a little spooky, the narrative will have readers on the edge of their seats. . . . Hillenbrand's prose is matched by surreal illustrations that turn swirls of snow into menacing bears and tree limbs into bizarre, horned creatures. . . .Hauntingly beautiful.
--Kirkus Reviews (starred review)

Thoughtful use of text, complemented by rich spreads and compelling sequential paneling, will entrance readers while they spot the woodland spirits guiding Hubert to safety. . . . delightful addition to picture book collections, perfect for snuggling up and sparking imagination.
--School Library Journal

[A] snowy, mysterious tale. . . . soft, moody illustrations. . . . [will prompt] readers to wonder what that means exactly and what really happened to Hubert on that curious, visually bewitching afternoon.
--The Horn Book

Hillenbrand replicates the intriguing mix of fanciful playfulness and slight menace that marked Hubert's previous adventure. . . . Fans looking to extend the spooky season of the fall will find this wintry tale a delightful way to do just that.
--Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

About the Author

Will Hillenbrand has written and illustrated a wide range of picture books for children, including the popular Bear and Mole series. A companion to The Lost and Found Tree, The Voice in the Hollow, received two starred reviews from Kirkus and SLJ. Hillenbrand is the recipient of many accolades, including an ALA Notable Book Award, multiple IRA Children's Choice Awards, and the author of a Bank Street Children's Best Book of the Year. He lives in Ohio with his wife, Jane Hillenbrand, with whom he wrote Pennsylvania One Book What a Treasure.