Winter is a special time for telling stories, notes Matthews in her chatty introduction, a time to gather around the fire together during long, cold nights. The eight traditional tales she gathers here from snowy places such as Russia, Canada, Scotland, and Austria are perfect for sharing. In Babushka, a grandmother follows the Three Kings, but she misses the Christ child. She still journeys every Christmas, leaving gifts for every child, just in case. In a Jewish tale, a brave boy saves nine trees by joining with them in the icy storm to make up the holy prayer circle (minyan) of 10. A story from the Slavey Indians is about the return of the sun. The retellings, exciting and cozy for reading aloud, are framed by elaborate, wide borders that evoke the traditional settings, and the accompanying watercolor-and-mixed-media illustrations show the different characters in a variety of winter landscapes.