Doug Fir has the winter blues. He stands alone, watching in envy as the forest bustles with change as winter approaches. He’s the only one with nothing to do and no changes to make. In fact, he never changes. Doug doesn’t want to be a boring evergreen anymore. Thankfully, a surprising and wise new pen pal helps Doug find joy in winter—and himself—again. Author Stef Wade uses letters between pen pals to deal with Doug’s feelings of jealousy, self-acceptance, and self-worth. She seamlessly ties those emotions into the nonfiction elements about evergreen trees, their attributes, and how animals need them—complete with humorous speech bubbles. Erin Taylor’s vibrant art style adds the perfect energy to this entertaining and informational picture book.

For ages 5-7.

About the Author:
Stef Wade used to write about cardboard boxes, but thinks writing books is far more exciting. She was the co-creator and writer for the former cooking and home blog Haute Apple Pie. Stef holds a BA in advertising from Marquette University and an MBA in Integrated Marketing Communication from DePaul University. Stef is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI). She currently resides in the greater Milwaukee area with her husband and three boys.

About the Illustrator:
Erin Taylor loves to travel: by plane, train, automobile, and pencil. She has lived in three different hemispheres and strives to reflect her world experiences in her artwork. When Erin’s feet are on the ground she loves time with her family, getting lost in the wild, and visiting the zoo. Drawing is a daily necessity, just like eating, which she also enjoys quite a bit!