I have a feeling Frostfire is going to be the book that I give all of my little friends for the 2024 winter holidays. I absolutely love Elly MacKay’s depiction of Miriam and Celeste’s walk on a winter day through a magical world of fresh-fallen snow. The sound of snow dragons guides the sisters on a whimsical exploration of their garden, finding frostfire on the windows, protective snow forts, swords fit for a queen, and, perhaps, even a magical encounter. The glowing light and falling snow bring to life the enchanting illustrations of two sister foxes on a wintry adventure. It has be excited for the return of winter!

Underwhelming. The cover is the best part of the story. The illustrations are good at representing the eerie feeling of being surrended by snow, but the physics doesn't work, for example when Celeste slides down a hill and the snow moves up ahead of her. The way the big sister was talking about dragons was unpleasant to read (greedy, princess-eater...), and the end of the story was so abrupt I thought I missed a page or two. The only cute part of the story is when Celeste actually meets the snow dragon. I didn't see at first that there was a pinecone. It's not very clear if the snow dragon collected it or simply landed next to it.

2.5 rounded up. I'm not sure I would recommend it.

*Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for offering me a free advance copy in exchange for an honest review.*

This book is dreamy and imaginative. Simple story but feels like it’s missing something. Illustrations in each page are great, 5 stars, story is a 3 for me.

An absolutely adorable book! I love children books about animals and this one has a very warm and cozy feeling. It has two siblings, magic and winter forest. It was a wonderful read and the art is gorgeous. Thank you.

This adorable children's picture book follows two fox sister on their walk through the woods as they look for a snow dragon. The beautiful illustrations are whimsical and representative of that feeling of walking in the woods on a snowy day.

The text is simple, and the illustrations simply compliment it. Though the ending is a bit abrupt (I question if the last page is even necessary), we are left wondering if the snow dragon is real or part of the sisters' imagination, and that question is apt for the target audience. I think this would make a good read aloud, particularly at bedtime as it is a very cozy, dreamy story. There are also some opportunities to talk about imagination, telling the truth, and fact checking!

Thank you to Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Frostfire is about two sisters taking a winter walk. The story is simple and I felt like it was missing something. The illustrations made up for what was lacking in the story. Every page is stunning. I will be adding this book to my collection.

I received a temporary digital copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Frostfire follows two foxes, sisters Miriam and Celeste, as they take a walk through the garden looking for a snow dragon. The illustrations are absolutely gorgeous, and I loved watching these two sisters explore their world looking for a dragon. This was a cozy read, that I feel like would be a great bedtime story for the littles.

Thanks to NetGalley, Elly MacKay, and Penguin Random House for the opportunity to review this advance copy!

The illustrations perfectly capture the way that light is reflected off of bright white snow during certain times of day. The little sister foxes are beyond adorable set against the beautifully depicted snowy backdrop.

Initially, I didn't love that the older sister was making up stories and facts. I often have to talk to my son about wild tales a classmate tells him, so I was unsure about this snow dragon idea. If I were reading it to my own children, I wouldn't have wanted them to develop a fear of a large mythical beast camouflaging itself as snow. I appreciated that when the older sister said Penguins live at the North Pole that it was quickly corrected by her little sister.

When the littlest fox hears the grumbling sound (again, which is not specified), I loved that she learned and shared with her sister that the snow dragon is gentle and kind and eats pinecones not princesses. There is nothing to fear.

For me, the illustrations were 5 stars but the story itself was probably a 3, since it ended well but wasn't as enticing a story as I had hoped.

I always love books by Elly MacKay! Her style is so beautiful and magical. This one was about two foxes exploring during winter.

Just the sweetest, most charming, cuddliest picture book that you could possibly want to enjoy on a snowy winter's day. Miriam and Celeste and two sisters with a gentle dynamic that everyone who's had a sibling will recognize and appreciate. Even in a short picture book, the writing creates two distinct personalities for the two of them. (Makes me think a lot of the relationship between and personalities of Beezus and Ramona, for anyone who knows the Ramona Quincy books.) Lovely artwork that has a nice paper cut-out style. It gives it a bit of a vintage feeling. Celeste's starry coat is a charming detail. The (very real) snow dragon is just as cute as you hope it would be.

Highly recommended as a picture book that has substance in the story, and an emotional connection between family members. It would be a great addition to any "winter holidays" book collection in particular, if you're the sort of family who brings out the winter and winter holiday books every December.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this eARC for unbiased review. This review will be cross-posted to my social media accounts closer to the book release date.

Pleasant illustrations. Short-and-sweet writing that spoon-feeds the answers. Full of delicate dreams that kindle the warmth in souls. Character interactions inspire cuddles. Ambiguous ending that leaves much to the imagination. Pacing at the beginning and end could be smoothed out to be less abrupt. Serene message. Evokes a peaceful reassurance in fascination. Recommended for those looking for a breath of fresh air. Overall, an average read.

This was a sweet little story about sisters that will charm young readers. The illustrations were beautiful and the messages of bravery and imagination shone through. Overall, it was similar to many other picture books and there wasn’t anything that made it stand out much, but it was sweet.

This beautifully illustrated book is full of magic and wonder. I feel like at first the older sister is making things up as she goes but it turns out that snow dragons ARE real. Absolutely adorable! I wish there was a little more interaction with the snow dragon but it’s still a gorgeous book

Frostfire follows two sisters through a snowy garden as the older sister convinces the younger sister a snow dragon lives there. The illustrations were so beautiful and the story is magical from start to finish!

I highly recommend Frostfire! Perfect for children with magic in their veins.

I received an ARC from Penguin Random House Canada | Tundra Books via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sisters Celeste and Miriam go on a winter walk though diamondlike drifts of snow, and wonder if they'll see something magical.

Lovely big sister/little sister dialogue and magical drawings with a sense of a wider world beyond them! MacKay's illustration style works so wonderfully and the story had a nice amount of heart. Frostfire was a wintry pleasure to read. I can't wait until it releases, because I think it will be a hit.

Follow Miriam and Celeste on their magical winter adventure in Frostfire. The two sisters journey through the snowy forest looking for signs of the elusive snow dragon. Along their mystical quest through the diamond dust, they spot frostfire and build a snow fort. Miriam teaches Celeste all about snow dragons, where they like to hide, how they travel, and what they like to eat. When Celeste finally comes across a snow dragon, is it truly real or just her imagination? Celeste and Miriam watch as the snow dragon flies away in the clouds and then make their way home through their snow kingdom.

I love the illustrations in the book. They are so beautiful! The story about sister foxes exploring their snowy wonderland is very cute. Big sister is trying to convince little sister that Snow Dragons are real! Will they find one or is big sister teasing? Dragons are always an attention grabber for kids. I received a copy of this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This book is adorable with amazing illustrations. I loved the story of sisterhood and my child was interested the whole time.

I love this book !

Illustrations of this book are my favs in a long time in child book ! They are so soft and pure, and so cute at a time ! I want to reread this book again, share it with every child I know ! This was pure magic !

This was an adorable little story about two sisters- I’d love to get my hands on it once it’s published as it would be a lovely edition to my classroom bookshelf. The artwork is perfect and really brings you into the story