August 5, 2024
Kukla’s laudatory lines describe northern hemisphere winter conditions in the simplest terms, building from the refrain “In the Winter” to a conclusion that praises the season’s “magical” qualities. Early text highlights short days, long nights, and weather so cold that waterways freeze and sweaters must be worn, while later passages touch on animal habits (“some creatures/ sleep”) and human celebrations (“people/ gather”). Renderings, some embellished with Canva elements, have watercolor-like layers and cut-paper effects that add dimensionality to otherwise simplistic snowy vistas of animals and people making their way ecstatically and patiently through the season. Human characters are portrayed with various skin tones. Ages 4–8.