5 stars
An utterly stunning story of art, beauty, and permanence.
The narrator is not happy about facing the cold weather, uncomfortable winter clothes, crowds, and an unfamiliar setting to attend the winter festival. She doesn’t see the point of making ice sculptures that are just going to melt. To make matters worse, on her first visit she loses her comforting horse figurine. But when she and her mother return the next night, her perspective shifts and she recognizes the permanence in the transient.
A well-told tale that is relatable and heartfelt. A great reminder of the importance of trying new things and recognizing small moments of magic.
The artwork is magical and lovely. Kurpiel perfectly captures the beauty of the intermixing of ice and light. I also love how diverse the attendees of the festival are. There are people of different ages, with different skin colors, and different hair styles and textures. There are also multiple characters using wheelchairs, wearing hijab, and wearing hearing aids.
A touching, beautiful, and magical picture book sure to leave a lasting impression.