A Dot in the Snow

PreS-Gr 1—When curious polar bear cub Miki decides that he wants to play in the snow instead of fish with his mom, he wanders far away from his comfort zone. He sees a dot in the snow and rushes to investigate. What he finds is a little girl in a red parka. Together they embark on a short, fun adventure and become fast friends. They face obstacles and hurdles but manage to help each other overcome them as one. The illustrations in this book are breathtaking and whimsical. The original pastel colors remind readers of a cold winter day. The mood is light and airy, capturing the innocence of childhood and child's play. With very few words on each page, the story unfolds in a well-paced manner for this age group. Parents and caregivers will be able to explain courage, the dangers of wandering off, and the value of friendship. Despite wearing Inuit-style parkas and mukluks, the girl and her mother are as white as the new fallen snow; Averiss and Woodcock sadly miss the opportunity to depict authentic Arctic cultural representation.