Henri & Miko: Winter in Bosk Olivette – written and illustrated by Rebecca Green
Tundra Books, 2026
Henri and Miko’s celebration of autumn’s colors, sights and sounds in their first book now has a successor for those who love winter. This second volume makes the two books an embarrassment of riches. Rebecca Green’s down-to-earth poetic language and convincing characters are back, this time wearing snowsuits. Her stunning pictures, rendered in acrylic gouache and matte graphite, capture the essence of the season. A mouse and a bee are best friends. They live in a renovated cider press, and they welcome other friends to share their joy. Yes, Chickpea is back, and they are all joined by the trio of rabbits, Fae, Mae, and Almond. I had already associated Green’s the classic European illustration style with Mae Lindman’s picture book classics about Snipp, Snapp, and Snurr, and their female counterparts, Flicka, Ricka, and Dicka, originally published in Swedish but later popular in English translation. Whether or not the rabbits are a deliberate homage, the artists share a subtle use of color, cozy domestic interiors, and lush outdoor scenes.
Henri and Miko speak in a way which children will understand, and Green’s sensory descriptions add depth without affectation. The sewing machine creates a “symphony of sounds,” and “great plumes of powdered sugar snow swirled around Bosk Olivette. Spiced cinnamon, cloves, and mushroom pot pie are essential winter ingredients, and so is pizza, the perfect entrée for their annual snowcake party. Miko doesn’t stint when pouring maple syrup on blueberry pancakes, leading to some stickiness and innovative solutions for keeping warm.
The foldout spread is back, depicting all the detail you need to configure a tiny home adapted for winter. Stoking the fire, drinking cocoa, and reading in bed are season-spanning activities, and there is a fully realized art corner complete with slanted table and carefully placed drawing supplies. Green’s animals share her human need for creativity.
Miko’s original snowsuit had been ordered from a catalog, but Fae, Mae, and Almond are custom designers. Soon they are taking measurements and stitching together the perfect outdoor outfits for their new friends. Teamwork is the rule in this atelier: “The rabbits worked steadily. Miko stood at the ready, should anyone need another biscuit or a button.” Those are both important.I’ve written about many winter and snow-themed books, one of my favorite subgenres, on this blog (a few recent examples are here and here and here; feel free to use the search function to find more!). Henri & Miko: Winter is Bosk Olivette is not only an accomplishment, but an essential one. Poetry, recipes, lists of treasures, and discussion
