A Winter Treasury of Recipes, Crafts, and Wisdom (Little Homesteader)

Rosy-cheeked children of varying skin tones walk readers through cold-weather activities in this cozy amalgam aimed at readers in northern climes. After an introductory spread, subsequent pages offer straightforward recipes for hot cocoa, bread, and candied orange slices (reminders to ask for adult help are manifold), while crafts include a pinecone bird feeder, evergreen paintbrushes, and winter solstice lanterns. Ferraro-Fanning also details winter crops such as tree sap and citrus fruits, and nature-focused activities invite readers to tap trees and spot winter wildlife. Soft colored pencil illustrations by AnneliesDraws clearly attend the range of information presented. Though instructions aren’t always fully fleshed, and the book elides any mention of homesteading’s complicated history, the wealth of simple activities will please. Ages 5–8. (Sept.)