IGLOO

Feathery and furry friends find safety together during a snowstorm.

With the “first big snow” looming, the woodland creatures cozily snuggle up into their homes. Except for little Chickadee, alone in the open meadow, “curled up in a tight ball to keep warm.” A gaggle of geese delay their trip south to help (“Oh goodness….You look so cold. Maybe we can help you keep warm”), and they settle in to cuddle little Chickadee. When the geese start to shiver, a passing fox wraps his fluffed-up tail around the gaggle. The heavy snow only gets heavier, but a bear provides a big protective ursine hug for all. And yet even her bulk is no match for the wind gusts that push the huddled friends down the hill, transforming their mass into a “bigger and bigger snowball.” As they crawl out from the snowball the next morning—“All clear!”—what’s left is a home of Chickadee’s own: an igloo, with plenty of room to share. Ha’s gratifying tale highlights selfless intentions with heartfelt rewards, while her gentle watercolors, soothing in predominantly blues and browns, softly emphasizes unexpected kindness. She’s particularly adept at capturing the expressive animals’ initially tentative, then unwavering, resolve to help. A glimpse into Chickadee’s glowing home, with hanging snowflakes and framed picture, proves particularly moving.

An endearingly heart-melting reminder of the lifesaving power of unlikely friendships.