• Age: 4 to 8
• Grade: p to 3
• Reading age: 4 to 8

A poetic and informative exploration of the many ways animals face the challenges of winter.

When the autumn days grow shorter and the temperatures cool, animals prepare for winter. Some, the hiders, choose a place to rest and wait out the winter, hibernating under the ground or snuggling in a sheltered spot. Other creatures are seekers, migrating to new locations where the weather is milder and the food sources more plentiful. And then there are the finders, who keep warm and fed by adapting to the new conditions. Every animal knows just what to do --- following an ingenious plan that's just right for them!

Jessica Kulekjian's lyrical informational picture book uses expressive text supplemented with sidebars to explain how different animals survive winter. While the compelling narrative tells the bigger story, the sidebars provide fascinating information about specific winter animal behaviors --- for example, how box turtles lower their heart rates, and monarch butterflies travel all the way to Mexico! Salini Perera's stunning illustrations show the concepts in detail and provide a visual story, featuring a father and a child, that evocatively traces the subtle changes in the landscape from late fall to early spring. Grouping the animals into three categories makes for easier comprehension of topics such as hibernation, migration and adaptation. Back matter contains a guide to tracking prints in the snow, an author's note and a list of resources. There are strong links here to primary grades' earth and life sciences curriculums. This is also a perfect read-aloud for a snowy day!

After a childhood spent outdoors, Jessica Kulekjian studied education and creative writing in college. Now, she teaches second grade and writes stories inspired by her passion for nature, free play and learning. She is the author of several books for children, including Before We Stood Tall, an NCTE Notable Book in Poetry. Jessica lives in central California with her family.

Jessica Kulekjian's profile page

Salini Perera is a Canadian illustrator who uses she/her pronouns. She was born in Sri Lanka and raised in Scarborough, and has been making art for as long as she can remember. Now, she gets to make art for picture books, a lifelong dream come true. Salini lives in Toronto with her husband, Michael, and their three cats, Victoria, Albert and Alice.

Salini Perera's profile page

• Short-listed, Delaware Diamonds K-2 , Diamond State Reading Association
• Joint winner, Best Children's Books of the Year, Bank Street College of Education

... a lovely, fascinating book for nature lovers.

BookRiot

An excellent book to use in earth and life science units ... it makes concepts of hibernation, migration, and adaptation easier for young readers to understand.

School Library Journal

... an excellent companion for outdoor learning and investigation as it encourages young readers to observe and appreciate the wonders of the world around them.—ETFO Voice

A solid look at animals in the winter and the ways they weather the weather.

Kirkus Reviews

... an excellent companion for outdoor learning and investigation as it encourages young readers to observe and appreciate the wonders of the world around them.

ETFO Voice