Pierre and Sophia grow up together from their birth, but it takes a special day out in the wintry woods before they become best friends.

This sweet picture book is about the children of the author and the illustrator. The author's son, Pierre, is French-American and the illustrator's daughter, Sophia, is learning French, so the book is presented in both English and French, making this a great work for those interested in presenting children with bilingual reading. The watercolor illustrations of the beautiful settings along the New Jersey side of the Delaware River are a treat.

I had the pleasure many years ago of meeting the author and illustrator and hearing about the process of creating and publishing this book. That, along with my love of positive portrayals of my native New Jersey, is part of the reason I hold this book so dear. But even for others without my connection to the book, it is a story that is sure to charm. ( )