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. VERDICT A sweet tale of friendship, love, and heroism.-Margie Longoria, Mission High School, TX © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

A polar bear cub does not like to dive into the water but needs to overcome his fear to help a new friend.Miki (Inuktitut for little) is a cub. His mother wants him to catch a fish in the icy Arctic Ocean, but he would rather play. He scampers up a hill to find a new playmate. In the distance, he sees a red dot. As the dot gets closer, in panels obscured by fuzzy snow, readers can see it is a small Inuit child, with a face as pale as the white surroundings save for pink cheeks, clad in a red parka. But to Miki, it is simply the Dot. Miki likes the gurgling sound it makes (readers can see from the illustration that its laughter) and its twinkly face. They run and play. But suddenly the Dots mitten goes missing. As Miki goes back to get it, the ice cracks, and the mitten slips into the water. Mikis heroic rescue works as the triumphant moment it is set up to be. However, the ubiquitous images of the decorative parka with furry hood, playful relationship with an Arctic animal, and Eskimo kiss (which thankfully is not called as such, just described as two cold noses nudg[ing] good-bye) can carry some pretty weighty stereotypes. At least there is nary an iglu in sight. Slight in substance storywise and perpetuating too-common representations of Arctic peoples: not ideal. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.