It's winter!

"Winter is a time of peace, / of patience, play, tradition, sleep. / A season full of things to do!" Kurilla's pleasing follow-up to It's Fall! (rev. 9/23) revels in the busyness of the winter months. The jaunty rhyming text transitions effortlessly from snow day activities to school vacation to various holidays (Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's, Lunar New Year, Valentine's Day). An active mix of spots, single pages, and spreads predominantly feature mood-setting blues and white for chilly-looking yet cozy digital illustrations, which are inclusive of abilities, skin tones, and cultures. Cynthia K. RitterNovember/December 2024 p.14 (c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A look at hallmarks and celebrations of the coldest season. Winter's here, and there are icicles, snow gear, sledding, and snowball fights, of course. Inside, kids make decorations, snuggle under warm blankets, and sip hot chocolate. We also see kids celebrating a variety of holidays. Children play dreidel and enjoy latkes while a menorah sits in the window. Some hang ornaments on a Christmas tree; others observe Kwanzaa. Youngsters also ring in the new year with "fizzy drinks to clink." Several kids perform a dragon dance on Chinese New Year, and in February, the little ones exchange valentines at school. The scope and vocabulary make this a perfect book to share with preschoolers both in a classroom setting and at home, and the rhyming gives it a read-aloud-friendly cadence. The illustrations perfectly encapsulate the blustery cold of winter as well as the comfort of hunkering down inside, thanks to wisps of wind across windowpanes and cozy, blanketed kids. All the scenes are fully imagined and well drawn, with plenty to observe, from squirrels peeking in at the kids making crafts and a bird's-eye view of the town where a menorah sits in a house and a car sports decorative antlers. The quality rhymes and meaningful illustrations make this a worthy selection. The kids depicted are diverse in terms of race and ability. A child-friendly tale packed with all things winter.(Picture book. 3-5) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.