THE SWEATER: A STORY OF COMMUNITY, by Larissa Theule and Teagan White, Viking Books for Young Readers, Feb. 10, 2026, Hardcover, $18.99 (ages 3-7)
A group of woodland friends come together to welcome a new neighbor in The Sweater: A Story of Community, by Larissa Theule and Teagan White.
As Holly takes her morning stroll in the thicket, she comes across a small bird. It was plain to see he’d been through some things. The bird is alone and trying to find shelter for the winter. And Holly knows exactly what to do to help. —Synopsis provided by Viking Books for Young Readers
The Sweater is a tender tale of compassion and friendship. Author Larissa Theule’s text is warm and helps put feelings into words:
“Holly smiled hello, but the little bird made straight for the shelter of a woodpecker’s old home.
Holly understood.
Life is heavy sometimes.”
Teagan White’s water color, gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are lovely. Her sweet animals all seem to have personalities and her use of color helps to evoke emotion.
The Sweater is a gentle story of kindness that’s truly beautiful.

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