Hello, friends! Our book today is Bright Winter Night, written by Alli Brydon and illustrated by Ashling Lindsay, a sweet, woodland midwinter tale.

There’s magic in the air of the forest tonight, and a group of animal friends are gathering to prepare for a special journey. Each species has their own specialty, and as they work with haste, the reader slowly realizes that they are building a sled. Once their mode of conveyance is complete, the wolf pack takes the reins and pulls the furred and feathered friends towards their destination through the hilly snowdrifts. After a slight mishap of the overturning variety, the friends arrive at the end of their journey: a clearing that’s ideal for viewing the stunning Northern lights.

Sweet and simple seasonal fare. Everyone loves a tale of woodland friends coming together to celebrate the season in some way, and this gentle story is an enjoyable addition to the genre. Brydon’s rhyming text is nicely balanced between whimsical and tranquil, befitting of the industrious animal characters in their chilly nighttime setting, which Lindsay’s watercolor-and-digital art bring to life with rich simplicity and charming detail. The length is great for a storytime, and JJ enjoyed the story’s cozy winter vibes. There is one line of text (“together they have built this sleigh/no one hunter, no one prey”) that raises some distracting questions on the typical dynamics of this animal crew, but that’s likely something only adults will notice. Otherwise, this is a lovely, engaging seasonal tale that any young reader can enjoy. Baby Bookworm approved!

(Note: A copy of this book was provided to the Baby Bookworm by a representative of the publisher in exchange for an honest review.)