One Foggy Christmas Eve

Fog threatens to derail a family’s annual Christmas Eve visit to nearby Nana and Papa’s house, but a child’s determination and some unexpected guides lead the way in this fantastical picture book. Though the protagonist’s parents announce the weather is too bad to travel, the bespectacled child persists in wanting to deliver a homemade gift, inspiring the group to venture forth, using a headlamp and twinkle lights to illuminate their passage. With inky, shadowy swirls, Wilson skillfully visualizes the uncertainty of the outing for a truly ominous effect as “the fog grows darker and colder” and the worried speaker finds themself suddenly alone—until majestic deer-like creatures arrive to brighten the way. While the original gift doesn’t make it, the child ends up with something even more precious to share, making for a timeless holiday twist. Spare text allows Wilson’s thin-lined artwork to shine as it readily communicates the book’s emotional heft. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)