WINTER WOOD
by David Spohn & illustrated by David Spohn
On a bitter cold day, Matt (who's black) and his dad (blond) bundle up for a trip to the woods to chop a sledful of logs—work vigorous enough to make them shed their jackets despite the weather. Then it's home to sit by the stove and quote Grandpa: ``Winter wood warms you twice—once when you cut it and again when you burn it.'' This vignette doesn't have the depth or complexity of Spohn's Nate's Treasure (p. 256), but the understated illustrations, nicely composed of tiny black points and muted colors, perfectly convey the story's companionable warmth and the pleasure of the shared task. (Picture book. 3-8)