Penny and Her Sled, by Kevin Henkes. Greenwillow, Harper. 2019. $18.50 ages 3 and up

"The days were getting longer.
The days were getting warmer.
Penny still thought about snow
from time to time.
Penny said, "It was fun
to wait for snow
when I thought it would come.
But I do not want to wait
for it anymore."
"You could wait for something
else," said Mama.
"What?" asked Penny."

It's been a long time, Penny. Good to see you again!

Penny  has a new sled, and she can't wait to use it. It is winter. There should be snow soon. She waits at every window. She asks her parents about it. They are sure the snow will come. Her stuffed babies want to see the snow, too. What if she puts her scarf on, and sits in her sled? Or what about wearing mittens to bed?

Nothing works. Still Penny waits as the weeks pass, and the winter weather remains cold, and gray, and damp. No snow. While she can't take her sled out, she can skate, go for walks, drink hot chocolate. But, she cannot go sledding. It's enough to make a young mouse grumpy. 

More time passes, and it seems snow is not going to be part of this winter. Her parents assure that winter will return next year. What a wait that is going to be for an anxious, yearning mouse! Not to be defeated, Penny decides to something else with her sled. Her ideas are original and help to pass the time. Finally, when the days begin to warm and lengthen, Penny decides she can't wait any longer.
Her mom shares a reassuring promise for days to come. Penny is intrigued with the idea of another kind of snow, and decides she will wait to see if her mom is right. Will it be worth it?

Fans will be thrilled to welcome another lovely book in this stellar series for early chapter book readers.