NOW IT IS WINTER

Jolly cut-paper snowflakes festoon acrylic paintings in this gentle paean to living in the now. A mouse family lives cozily under the roots of a tree and the voice is of the youngest. He asks his mother, “Will spring ever come? Will there be black raspberries . . . in my breakfast bowl?” His mother responds to each question, reminding him that yes, spring will come, and berries, but there are current joys, like oatmeal and butter and brown sugar. The past and future pleasures of rolling in the grass, gathering daisies, and looking for fairies are laid against the present ones of sledding downhill, gathering pinecones, and spying snow angels. The bright colors of the mouse family’s clothing and household goods contrast with the pale snow-washed colors of outside, and those great snowflakes tumble everywhere. A lovely winter story. (Picture book. 3-6)