During an annual stay at a summer cottage, a young boy sets out with his father in the early morning hoping to catch sight of a deer. They see an egret and a red-winged blackbird, and encounter a crew and noisy bulldozer on a work site. Anticipation heightens when they arrive on conservation land, and the child finds it hard to stay quiet and still while they wait out a rain shower. Their patience is finally rewarded with the sight of a passing doe and her two fawns. Although he tells his mother about the experience later, the boy holds part of the memory inside, recalling how the deer had appeared so briefly "-as if they'd come from nowhere like Dad said, or as if our two worlds crossed for just a magic while." A quiet tone, imagery-rich language, and textured oil paint art allow readers-regardless of their location-to vicariously experience the wonder of the fleeting encounter. (Ages 4-8)

Feel the anticipation — and share the moment of discovery — as a young boy and his dad set out to find one of nature’s unforgettable wonders.

A father promises his young son that this summer they will see a deer. They set out over the dunes, through the marsh, and into the woods, searching for a white-flag tail or a set of leaping legs. But deer are hard to find, especially if your feet want to dance and your nose tickles until you sneeze. Squirrels scurry up trees, rabbits leap out of sight, and a pheasant flushes into the sky, but the deer remain hidden until the boy is almost ready to give up and head home. A captivating, lyrical narrative and oil-on-linen landscape illustrations create a sense of quiet suspense as a young boy experiences a sight he will hold in his memory forever.