Reviewed by Kristine Zimmerman for Readers' Favorite

Elissa Kerr shares a story about an annual late-winter tradition in her children's book The Sweetest Season. This rhyming tale follows a young girl and her dad as they set out to make maple syrup. In the northern parts of the United States and Canada when the days start to warm but the nights are still cold, the sap starts to flow in maple trees. The young girl and her dad find the perfect tree and tap it to collect the sap. After the sap is gathered, they process it in a sugar shack, and finally, it turns into pure maple syrup. Additional information about the syrup-making process is appended at the end.

The Sweetest Season is not only engaging but informative. Elissa Kerr's rhymes flow well as she succinctly shares the process of making maple syrup. Kids will enjoy that the girl is an integral part of the process. The illustrations by Zoe Saunders are beautiful. The soft pastel colors make it feel just like a late winter day. Saunders has also illustrated the steps in the process clearly so kids can follow them. I especially enjoyed her cute little squirrel who appears in several of the spreads! Kerr has written a delightful late winter story that will intrigue kids. Many of them (and maybe some adults too) are probably unaware that maple syrup is made from maple tree sap. Kerr has hit the sweet spot in weaving facts into a great picture book to be read aloud in this captivating tale!