The quiet drama of the natural world is captured in this picture book for very young children as a season turns and animals prepare for winter's ice and snow. As autumn fades, four animals -- a squirrel, a bat, a beaver and a bear -- each prepares for the coming cold. Squirrel stashes nuts, bat munches extra food, beaver makes sure its lodge is strong, and bear eats berries. Each settles into its haven for winter as the snow begins to fly. Elizabeth Partridge's spare and simple text is enhanced by brief information provided about each animal's winter preparations at the end of the story, and by Joan Paley's elegant, eye-catching collage illustrations. (Ages 18 months - 3 years)