The Snow Fox

Nico, a small red fox with perky black ears and paws, wiles away the seasons with his three woodland friends: an otter, a raccoon, and a badger. But when winter falls and Nico discovers his friends hibernating (“Come on guys, wake up!”), he feels all alone in the untouched snowy expanses—despite an unnoticed observer. Coveting companionship, Nico builds a fox friend out of snow. But something’s still missing, and the observer, “a real snow fox,” soon emerges and identifies the missing component: living, breathing friendship. Muted earth tones and hazy renderings complement the peaceful forest landscape. Though it’s strange that Nico’s new companion never receives a name, Shojaie’s debut picture book gently extols the virtues of making different friends in different seasons of life. Ages 4–7. [em](Nov.) [/em]