Beaver Doesn’t Open the Door

PreS-Gr 2–Beaver has a headache and a cough. And he’s been hearing about a fearsome virus. So he stops answering to any knock on the door, explaining every time why. Mrs. Swan is turned away, and “Another neighbor knocks on the door. ‘Are you all right, Beaver?’ asks Aunt Mole. She heard Beaver cough and brought a bowl of soup. ‘Thank you for your kindness, Aunt Mole, but I may have an infection, and for your safety, I can’t open the door,’ says Beaver shyly.” All the woodland animals, outfitted in retro-style dresses and aprons, approach and all are turned away. When medical attention arrives, the team wears masks. And even though Beaver does not have the virus, by the end of the book, Beaver still won’t answer the door. The message of this charmingly illustrated book may be that no precaution is too great, but a melancholy feeling lingers. The writing is nicely repetitive, as have been the warnings of the pandemic, and that may help make an impact on young readers.