The Heart of Winter

A fox and robin’s burgeoning friendship propels this gently uplifting holiday tale. Robin Chip loves to spend a northerly winter perched atop a telephone wire alongside his siblings, but the arrival of a Christmas Eve–timed storm results in the bird’s separation from the group. Spotting the lonesome bird from a window, fox Lula comes to the rescue: “Without thinking twice, she hurried outside and invited Chip in.” As the new pals spend a cozy afternoon decorating the house, building snow likenesses, making snow angels, and more, straightforward text sums up their joy (“It was an unforgettable afternoon”), while indoor-outdoor vignettes capture the pleasure the pair feel in one another’s company. When Chip’s avian family returns to retrieve him, empathic text and art alike reference Lula’s mixed emotions until friendship’s bonds, visualized by hearts, supply further holiday magic. Montagnana’s thickly stroked monochromatic artwork is brightened by pops of deep vermillion for an effect that visualizes the warmth provided by connection. Ages 3–8. (Aug.)