By Alli Brydon, illustrated by Ashling Lindsay
Two Lions, 2022
Picture book, 32 pages, ages 3-7
There’s magic in the winter air,
as all the creatures are aware.
A sway and creak as pines bow low,
and then begins the song of snow.
The forest calls, and creatures come:
big and small, one by one.
They sense there is a task to do
as night descends, replacing blue.
A large cast of woodland animals set aside their differences and come together to build a sleigh. They pile in, pulled by a friendly pack of wolves, and overcome obstacles, just in time to see the northern lights.
A whimsical rhymer about the magic of friendship and northern lights.
Written in verse, this fanciful story capably builds a sense of wonder and community as the animals work together. There are some lovely rhymes; there are also some awkward ones. Overall, it flowed when read aloud and was a joy to read.
The mainly cool color palette with pops of warm, bright colors is gorgeous. The illustration style is folksy and primitive. It adds to the sense of childlike wonder and compliments the tone of the story. However, the lack of expression in the characters is a drawback.
Will kids like this book? As a child, I would have liked it in small doses. It might be a good seasonal bedtime book. The themes of community, cooperation, and setting aside differences will appeal to adult readers. If you are looking for a book that teaches those themes, this would be a good selection.
Bright Winter Night by Alli Brydon received 4 stars from this reviewer.