The vitality of winter and the heart of an older brother welcoming the birth of his younger brother—a beautiful harmony of two stories.

This seasonal picture book, following 『Summer』 by Lee So-young, which was selected for the 2021 White Ravens, deals with winter.
If red summers appeared in 『Summer』, in this book, a cold, blue-gray winter greets us as the icon of the season.
The black and white bags that Gyul-woo brought as gifts represent the long winter nights and white snow that we are facing.
Although it is a cold winter with long nights, the author does not miss the point that it is because of the cold that people come together and because it is dark that bright light shines brighter.
Even in cold weather, there are bound to be people who are alone, and the person that Winter pays attention to is a child who is left alone after his mom and dad leave to give birth to his younger sibling.


The author's composition and expressive power stand out as he connects two similar yet different stories into one: the vitality crouching in winter and the jealousy of an older brother facing the birth of his younger brother.
Going beyond sketching the seasons, this painting captures a moment of life and captures the essence of winter with wet watercolors. It captures the cold air, yet retains a dreamy feel, capturing the warmth of winter and its hidden side.
Additionally, the gradual growth of the fetus is hidden like a code in the winter scenery, providing the joy of reading a picture book where the text and pictures complement each other.

Author's Note
Winter = together

I love this time of year, early winter evenings, when the streetlights come on one by one and the lights in the windows begin to twinkle.
At that moment, I felt on my skin that winter was approaching.
On the cold, dark road, the light from the small window approaches, twinkling like stars.
The scenery inside the house, which is not easily revealed when it is bright, was so beautiful that I was intoxicated by the beauty of this secret and private scenery, but I also felt very lonely.

Winter is fun because of the snow, and it's nice because of the warmth.
It's the season when we go home because it's cold, and we often spend time with someone because we want warmth.
However, if we compare this season of winter to life, it is often considered a harsh and unfortunate time in life.
People who face the winter of life tend to shrink back and think of better times rather than accepting this period, and they have a hard time finding their bearings.
However, I thought of winter as a season where everything is buried in darkness, frozen cold, and losing vitality, but at the same time, it is also a season of birth, a season of preparing to be reborn with a new heart.
Perhaps winter holds a stirring, unborn energy, and perhaps the cold is meant to cool that fervent energy. I've even imagined winter as a human hiding a small light deep within its heart.
Then I seemed to hear the whispers of winter.
“You too.”

Suddenly, my steps back home quickened and my heart was filled with a warm feeling of longing to see my loved ones.
The winter night that surrounds me now feels like a short journey to shine my own light.

A season for new beginnings in the dark,
The season of returning to a place of rest in search of warmth,
By being together, we can all shine like stars on a winter night,
I hope that winter will approach readers in that way.