ARCTIC ADVENTURE

Two families embark on a warmhearted journey through one of the chilliest places on the planet.

In the Arctic tundra, where “starlight gleams” and “winter morning dawns,” Little Fox and Mama Fox set out to explore their snowy home. A pale-skinned, rosy-cheeked human mother and child carrying a telescope (the better to take in their surroundings) travel alongside them. As the vulpine pair saunter through their chilly habitat, they encounter a polar bear, a narwhal, and a flock of rock ptarmigan going about their daily routines. When a storm hits, separating both kit and child from their parents, they rely on each other to find their loved ones just in time to witness a stunning spectacle in the night sky. Cook and Gopal have created a loving look at the wonders and realities of one of Earth’s most rapidly changing environments. Gopal’s third-person text is vibrant yet soothing, filled with snappy onomatopoeia (“Crackle! / Snap! / Ice breaks”) and lilting alliteration (“Until, as suddenly as it started, the storm stops”). Cook’s mixed-media illustrations are beautifully detailed with swirls of light blue, purple, green, and deep black capturing the wintry setting along with the warm emotions felt by both duos. Extensive backmatter offers more information on the animals featured, climate change, and Svalbard, the Norwegian archipelago where the story takes place.

A tender look at the bond between parent and child—and the natural beauty of the Arctic.