In the winter woods

Winter sets the stage for community participation in Kulot's cooperation-focused fable. Amid seasonal food scarcity, a series of animals--a fox, mouse, and crow--all grapple with empty bellies as a refrain reads: "It's winter, and winter is not willing to share." Although Squirrel finds himself similarly famished ("Holy hazelnuts, he is so hungry!"), he has no plans to distribute his stockpile, despite the others' entreaties. When he finds the tree trunk where he stashed the goods empty, he realizes that the task of tracking down the missing bounty will require the help of some neighbors--a shift in strategy that plays out to the benefit of all. Digital renderings lean into the verticality of forest scenery, emphasizing the barrenness of the season as bare trees' craggy branches fill almost every page. With wide eyes and expressive eyebrows, the animal protagonists are at once realistic and humanlike, amplifying the story's takeaway about the value of working together. Ages 3--7. (Oct.)

Fox, Mouse, and Crow wander the winter woods, looking for food, but there is none. As the animals search for sustenance, a refrain reminds readers, "But it's winter, and winter is not willing to share." Squirrel, the only animal who has stockpiled food, pipes up: "Have to dash and find my stash." Overhearing him, the other animals feel he should share his bounty, but selfish Squirrel is unwilling to do so. Unfortunately, Squirrel's unable to remember where he hid his food, so he returns to the threesome, promising to share if they'll help him find it. Crow and Mouse are miffed: "Now that you can't find your stash, you come running back." Fox points out that they must all cooperate if they want to succeed, and the foursome search together. Translated from German, the writing feels a bit off-kilter in its attempts at a colloquial sound ("Gosh-double-deer-dung-darn-it, she isso hungry!"). The animals themselves are cartoonishly executed, but the painterly winter scenes created digitally, full of trees with empty, curving branches in subtle shades of brown and gray, are quite splendid. Though the lesson is heavy-handed and the story less than original, the book is aided by the attractive artwork and might make a good option for classrooms in need of titles for social-emotional learning and winter season units. Preachy messaging about the value of sharing, uplifted by dazzling visuals.(Picture book. 4-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.