Tim Tuttle can't hold a candle to John Henry -- not in school, not in sports, not in anything. To make matters worse, John Henry is Tim's younger brother. But then Tim's eccentric great-aunt Winifred teaches Tim to paint, and he finds he has a special talent.
One snowy Christmas Eve, John Henry hatches a plan to undermine Tim's sudden moment of glory. But when his sinister scheme succeeds beyond his expectations, what follows is a subzero adventure that will change both boys forever.