In this debut picture book, a squirrel must protect a budding leaf from winter.

Twitch is a squirrel in charge of safeguarding a small green leaf bud until his friends return from their winter migration. He names the plant Little Bud and prepares for the approach of winter by gathering twigs and eating as many acorns as possible while keeping an eye on his new friend.Winter sets in not long afterward and Twitch struggles to manage both his and Little Bud’s needs: “Many days and nights, darkness overcame the forest only to be awakened by snowflakes. Twitch thought, Little Bud will never be a green leaf with snowflakes around.” Together, they brave the weather and do their best to emerge into the warm spring and the welcomes of their woodland friends. Haun’s well-paced but brief story is a sweet introduction to both social-emotional values and ecology, the latter through its inclusion of fun facts about buds in the after matter. The tale could take place in anyone’s backyard, providing readers with a relatable entry point to the story.

Twitch’s constant concern for Little Bud is touching and could become a gateway for children to learning about responsibility by growing a plantat home. The author brings her signature artistic style to the tale, with illustrations based in collage, using materials that add visual texture to the narrative, such as the plaid fabric patterns in the tree leaves.

An appealing, preschool-friendly introduction to perseverance, selflessness, and the changing of the seasons.