Winter, and what animals do to survive, told in a simple clear way. ( )

When the first snowflake falls in this picture-book from American author Marion Dane Bauer and English illustrator Richard Jones, a fine red fox wonders what to do. A series of animals, from a caterpillar to a bear, give him advice, but their recommendations are suited to themselves, not foxes. Eventually, the fox meets another of his kind, and he discovers what he is meant to do in snow: dance...

As someone with an interest in the depiction of foxes in children's books, someone who also finds snowy wintry vistas beautiful, I was pretty much guaranteed to enjoy Winter Dance, and I did. The narrative has a simple, repetitive structure that will no doubt appeal to younger children. I myself learned something new, being previously unaware that some butterfly and moth species go into a cocoon state over the winter. The accompanying artwork from Jones is gorgeous, and really enhanced my appreciation of the book. I loved the use of color, the stylized figures, and the vulpine charm of the main character. Apparently foxes do indeed like to dance in the snow, giving me a new life goal, in the form of one day witnessing such an enchanting scene. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for stories featuring foxes and/or winter. ( )

The red fox is trying to figure out what he's supposed to do now that winter is here. He asks all the other animals but their journeys are not right for him. Finally he meets another red fox who tells him that they twirl and tumble and waltz just like the falling snowflakes. the earth tone colors and illustrations in this book are beautiful. Can be used in a lesson about the seasonal patterns of animals. Also teaches the importance of finding what is right for you - not joining in with others just because you don't know what else to do. A good lesson about independence ( )

"A fine red fox" listens to advice from other animals as it tries to figure out what to do in winter. The words follow a gently repetitive rhythm that offers ample opportunity for kids to suggest or react to the wintry behavior of various animals. The pictures are likewise gentle yet engaging. The bright orange fox is very expressive against the richly textured landscapes in earthy and wintry tones.