Tom is a small boy. Tom is four.
One morning, Tom wakes up.
He looks out the window.
White!
The world is white.
The sky is light and soft.
Tom says, “Wow.”
He runs, tap tap tap, to Mama.
“Mama, look! Snow!” he says.
Mama smiles.
“Yes, it is winter,” she says.
“Winter is cold. Winter is soft too.”
Mama helps Tom with warm clothes.
Thick socks.
Red boots.
A blue coat.
Zip, zip.
A hat.
Mittens.
Snug and warm.
They step outside.
Crunch, crunch, go Tom's boots.
The air is cold on his nose.
His cheeks feel tingly.
Tom picks up snow.
It is wet.
It is cold.
Plop, the snow falls from his mittens.
Tom laughs.
“Plop plop!” he says.
A little bird hops on a branch.
Hop, hop.
The branch has snow.
“Cheep cheep,” sings the bird.
Tom waves.
The day is short.
The sun goes down.
The sky turns pink, then gray.
Tom goes back inside.
Mama gives him warm soup.
Slurp, slurp.
His hands feel warm again.
Tom sits on Mama's lap.
He feels safe.
He feels sleepy.
He whispers, “I like winter.”
Mama kisses his hair.
Tom closes his eyes.
Winter is quiet.
Winter is warm inside his heart.
In winter, we feel good and brave when we stay warm, share hugs, and enjoy small, cozy moments.
