From Newbery Medal–winning author Patricia MacLachlan comes a cozy picture book of love, light, and community during New Year’s, brought to life with tender and intricate cut paper illustrations. On the very last evening before the new year, when the snow is falling soft and thick, two black horses wait for the jingle of their sled. As they ride about town, they will spread light to their beloved neighbors, bidding farewell to the last night—and saying hello to the first morning. Gr 1-3-The late, great MacLachlan offers a quiet pastoral celebration of New Year's Eve. It is the last night of the year and Tim and Tom, two Percheron horses with gleaming black coats, are excited to be a part of the celebration. First, they head to the market where they pull children around the town in a colorful sleigh. Then, they head to the manor house where they pull grandparents, aunts, uncles, and old friends through the snowy fields. The children and adults are varying skin colors, and one woman is shown wearing a hijab. The blue-hued illustrations transport readers into serene scenery filled with snow. While each scene is washed in cool tones, the lights in the illustrations seem to glow. The details of the collage illustrations are fabulously detailed and intricate, with the clothing on the characters showing many unique patterns. The lacy paper details as snow on the trees are particularly beautiful. VERDICT A sweet, careful book. For communities seeking a unique take on New Year's Eve.-V. Lynn Christiansenα(c) Copyright 2011. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. "Evocative artwork and gentle prose from the creators of Prairie Days distinguish this intergenerational tale about a community that celebrates the last night of the year with sleigh rides for young and old." -- --Publishers Weekly (starred review) ― 10/3/2022 For communities seeking a unique take on New Year’s Eve. -- School Library Journal ― 9/1/22 A quiet, deeply satisfying celebration of the turn of the year and the joy of community. -- Kirkus Reviews ― 09/01/2022 Patricia MacLachlan (1938–2022) was the author of many well-loved novels and picture books, including Sarah, Plain and Tall , winner of the Newbery Medal; its sequels, Skylark and Caleb’s Story ; Edward’s Eyes ; The True Gift ; Waiting for the Magic ; White Fur Flying ; Fly Away ; and Snow Horses . She lived in western Massachusetts. Micha Archer illustrated The Wise Fool , Lola’s Fandango , Prairie Days , and Snow Horses , and wrote and illustrated Daniel Finds a Poem . Working in collage and oil, her use of color and pattern is influenced by the folk art, crafts, and architecture of the countries she has visited and lived in. She realized the importance of the book as a teaching tool after teaching kindergarten and raising two children. Micha divides her time between Costa Rica and western Massachusetts, where she lives in the house she and her husband built, surrounded by gardens and forest to roam in.