Snow Bunny’s Christmas Gift

Snow Bunny and her friends Mouse, Fox, and Bear spend a winter’s day sledding and ice-skating. But one by one, the other animals get too cold, and Snow Bunny is eventually left alone. When she finds a silver coin in the snow, she decides to spend the money to knit something to keep her friends warm, so they can continue to play together outdoors. Harry’s smudgy illustrations are equally comfortable in the snowy landscapes the animals explore and in their almost impossibly cozy homes; silver foil accents make the pages sparkle throughout. The straightforward text and story line are well-suited to readalouds for younger audiences, though the book ends on a saccharine, heavy-handed note, “because friendship is the greatest gift of all,” Snow Bunny realizes. A gentle holiday tale that underscores the evergreen theme of generosity. Ages 4–8. (Oct.)