Snow
Snow Days can be pretty magical. No school. Playing outside in the snow then curling up inside with hot chocolate and a good book. A break in routine. It seems like lately many places have been having more extreme winter weather. Coming up with activities for kids to do, both inside and out of the house, can be a challenge. Traditional crafts, like creating snowflake chains, snowmen out of cotton balls, and playing board games are always popular. There are so many games and sports that are perfect for a snowy day-- making snowmen and igloos, sledding, skiing and snowboarding. And of course, Snow Days can be a excellent opportunity to read as a family. The selections below are a mix of fiction and nonfiction and they all relate to snow.
Ideas for winter weather activities:
http://workathomemoms.about.com/od/kidsactivitiesfamilyfun/a/snowdaytodo.htm
http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/seasons/winter/
http://fun.families.com/blog/simple-snow-day-crafts-for-kids
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Animal Camouflage in the Snow
Martha E.H. Rustad
Simple text written in short sentences describes how animals in the Arctic region use camouflage to survive. Adorable photos of animals in their habitats, some barely seen because they blend into their backgrounds so well, supplement the writing. Arctic foxes, beluga whales, harp seals, and snow geese are some of the examples given that show the importance of camouflage in finding food and not becoming food for predators. The concepts are kept basic and the layout is reader-friendly with large type, making it a great book for beginning readers. On the same note, it is also perfect for reading aloud to open discussions about the animals themselves. This title is part of a series "Animal Camouflage" series. It includes a table of contents, a glossary, book and web resources, and an index. It would make an excellent addition to any library or classroom. 2010, Capstone Press, $21.32. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Cherie Ilg Haas (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781429633277
Annie and Snowball and the Wintry Freeze
Cynthia Rylant
Annie and her cousin Henry both love winter along with Henry’s big dog Mudge and Annie’s bunny Snowball. Annie has waited all spring, summer, and fall to wear her pink earmuffs, pink hand muffs, and pink polka-dot boots while Henry loves building snowmen and snow forts. Their latest adventure begins when a freeze comes with icy rain and icy snow therefore cancelling school, so Annie bundles up like a pink marshmallow and goes to Henry’s house to play. Ice and snow cover everything so Henry uses ice skates to skate around while Annie slides around by holding onto Mudge for dear life. They explore all the beautiful, sparkling, icy things around and then skate and slide to the window where Snowball is watching and keeping warm. When they are ready to warm up inside, Henry’s dad gives them cider and cinnamon rolls and Annie and Snowball curl up with Mudge in front of the fire. Rylant’s "Annie and Snowball" series as a part of the "Ready-to-Read" series provide beginning readers appropriate text and child friendly topics, such as a snow day. 2010, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 7 to 9, $15.99. Reviewer: Barbara Wheatley (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4169-7205-1
Avalanches
Mari C. Schuh
An avalanche occurs when an enormous amount of snow slides down a mountain. Warm weather, an earthquake, loud noises, skiers, and wind are the most common causes of an avalanche. This book provides very basic information about avalanches. Each chapter consists of only four or five sentences and the text is large and simple. There is a chapter that explains avalanches, another about what causes them, another on what happens during an avalanche, how to stay safe during an avalanche, and what happens after. There is also a glossary, an index, and a page that lists sources where additional information can be found. On each page there is a fantastic, full size photograph that will help readers to better understand the enormity of an avalanche. This book is strongly recommended for any youngster who is either beginning the research process, learning about weather events, or simply curious about natural disasters. It is part of the "Earth in Action" series. 2010, Capstone Press/Pebble Plus, $21.32. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Denise Daley (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781429634373
Blitzed By a Blizzard!
Joyce Markovics
What started as a beautiful day soon turned to disaster for cross-country skier Randy Kraxberger at the Olympic National Park in Washington State. This page turner reveals information about the white out that nearly cost him his life and does so in an easy-to-read manner that contains danger and intrigue. In addition, it offers ideas for survival that include building an ice cave and marking the spot with a huge X when one is lost. Historical, life threatening blizzards from the 1880s are highlighted, and so are modern day blizzards. Markovics discusses how blizzards form and how meteorologists work to predict them. Fact boxes hold tidbitd such as the one about a weeklong blizzard in Iran that dropped twenty-six feet of snow in some places and killed 4,000 people. Text for this well-paced book, as well as others in the "Disaster Survivors" series, is written at a third grade level, but interest stretches from grades two to seven, thus widening the appeal for many readers. End matter includes a page with facts from additional famous blizzards, blizzard safety tips, a glossary, bibliography, extra resources, and an index. 2010, Bearport Publishing Co, $25.27. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781936087549
Build a Snowman 1, 2, 3!
Megan E Bryant
Illustrated by Jillian Phillips
Ella and Max decide to build a snowman. They begin with one carrot for his nose, and complete the snowman with nine red winterberries for a heart. When it is finished, readers will open to a pop-up snowman that shows all the objects plus ten birds that have landed on it. The illustrations are nicely executed in soft pastel backgrounds and bright, colorful objects, such as the five buttons and the children’s winter jackets. The counting concept feels very natural in the simple storyline. The objects are easy to see and count. Young children will need to be observant as they count the eight pebbles (two for eyes and six for his mouth), and the unfinished heart made of nine winterberries (seven on the snowman and two in Ella’s hand). Although the pop-up will not hold up for repeated library borrowings, this would be an enjoyable addition for a winter-themed story hour for a small group. It is also a good suggestion for a stocking stuffer or other small gift for a winter holiday. 2010, Price Stern Sloan/Penguin, Ages 3 to 5, $6.99. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8431-9919-2
Counting on Snow
Maxwell Newhouse
As the numbers decrease from ten to one in Maxwell Newhouse’s latest picture book, the amount of snow falling around the arctic animals increases. The sky is blue and the meadow is green when ten caribou crunch on mouthfuls of long grass, but by the time two snowy owls are seen swooping through the air, the sky is grey, the ground is white, and the animals are almost invisible. On the recto pages, short alliterations (wolves watching, seal slipping, hares huddling) describe the activities of the animals as they appear facing us, while the verso pages are wordless and show the animals retreating. Maxwell Newhouse uses oil on linen to create quiet winter backdrops for his active bunch of arctic animals. The trumpeter swans seem to be dancing as the snow falls in their beaks and on their heads, and the ravens are shown exploring all the snow covered rocks that make up an inukshuk. Counting on Snow is an exceptional picture book; suitable for toddlers and preschoolers. To call attention to some other animals that make their home in the arctic, pair Counting on Snow with Laura Crawford’s cumulative story In Arctic Waters. British Columbia author and artist Maxwell Newhouse has written and illustrated several books for children including The RCMP Musical Ride, and The House that Max Built. Newhouse is also known for his beautifully designed driftwood furniture. Category: Picture Books. Thematic Links: Arctic Animals; Counting; Snow. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Gr. Preschool - K. 2010, Tundra Books, 24p. Illus.; (Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy), Hdbk. $16.99. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer: Tanya Boudreau (Resource Links, April 2010 (Vol. 15, No. 4)).
ISBN: 9780887769856
Frozen Secrets
Sally M. Walker
Antarctica has been a source of allure and mystery since the time of Ptolemy, two millennia ago. Walker whets the reader’s appetite for more, covering such topics as early and current explorations and methods of scientific study, the various dangers and challenges of the terrain, the science of snow, ice and glaciers, geological history, animal life, and what future discoveries may reveal about the region. The majestic beauty of the land is often juxtaposed with the harsh and deadly realities of the climate. Beginning with the first black-and-white images from 1910 to modern images taken from space, the awesome photographs capture a bit of the wonder of the landscape and what it is like for the explorers and scientists who live and work there. The main text is offset in an icy blue bubble for easy reading while photos, graphs, diagrams, maps and charts accent the text and give additional information. There is an index, glossary, listing of source notes and bibliography and a list of books and websites for further reading. This is a beautiful book, perfect for classrooms or cold-climate enthusiasts. 2010, Carolrhoda Books/Lerner Publishing Group, Ages 10 up, $20.95. Reviewer: Amy McMillan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58013-607-5
The Greatest Snowman in the World
Peter Hannan
Building a snowman turns into a big production for rambunctious Charles Chinchilla and his helpful friends, Elvis Wormly and Babs McBoid. They bounce, they shout, and they get themselves "rolling" when they see all the snow on the ground. They make a huge snowman, but he is not fancy enough, so Charles, who seems to have all the ideas, decides that they will collect all sorts of odd paraphernalia to decorate the snowman. They find baseball bats, trashcan lids, bones, shoes, and more of most anything. A double-page vertical illustration of the snowman is shown as Charles and his friends declare him to be the greatest snowman in the world. Then more excitement evolves as the snowman starts to melt and they try to get him to the freezer. Although it is too late to save the snowman, the trio experience a happy ending with an ice cream cone decorated with candy. The big zany illustrations go along well with the comic spirit of the story, and it is a good book for adults to read aloud. Youngsters should enjoy the fun and frivolous action and the goofy little characters. 2010, HarperCollins Children’s Books/HarperCollins, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Vicki Foote (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-06-128480-9
Immi’s Gift
Karin Littlewood
Immi lives in a white snow-filled world isolated from everyone else. One day while Immi is fishing, she pulls in her line and finds not a fish, but a bright-colored wooden bird on the end of her fishing pole. She takes the bird home to decorate her igloo. Soon Immi is pulling out more beautiful bright-colorful things from her ice fishing hole, and Immi’s igloo is no longer one more lump of white ice, but a bright and colorful beacon welcoming others. Immi’s winter goes from one spent in isolation to one full of friends. When the warm weather comes and Immi must move before her snowy house melts away, she drops a gift of her own into the fishing hole, giving back to the ocean and to the unknown person who has given her so many gifts, including gifts she cannot hold in her hand like friendship and joy. This heart-warming story about how one person’s happiness can blossom out of the simple act of selfless giving would be a wonderful addition to any library serving young children or to the home library, where parents can read it to their children. 2010, Peachtree Publishers, $15.95. Ages 4 to 10. Reviewer: Jamie Hain (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781561455454
Let It Snow
Maryann Cocca-Leffler
Share the features of the winter season with three children as they welcome the first swirls of snowflakes. The book begins with the siblings’ excited cheer of "Let it snow!" They celebrate the season with the winter activities like ice skating, sledding, and snowman building. They get chilled by snow, their mittens get soggy, and their boots get wet; however, they enjoy the warmth of hot chocolate upon their return home, as they snuggle by the fireplace with a blanket. After a blizzard, the trio cheers for a school-free snow day. However, they long to go outside to play. Once the storm ends, they must clear the snow. The children continue to have fun by building a snow fort, skiing at night, and walking in moonlight. As winter begins to fade, they look forward to spring rain. Bright watercolor illustrations fill the layout and support the brief poem. Each page has a few lines of the poem, and these lines of text are not printed straight across the page, instead the appear as a wave. The book is a simple, short read-aloud celebration of winter and snow for young children. 2010, Cartwheel Books/Scholastic, $3.99. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780545208802
Mouse and Mole: A Winter Wonderland
Wong Herbert Lee
What do you do when your best friend does not want to go out and play? Mouse wants to take advantage of a new winter snow by sledding, skating, and building snowmen. Mole, however, would prefer to stay in bed. So Mouse decides to go out and play on her own. She has fun for a while, but she misses her friend. Then she gets an idea—why not make a "sno-mole" in the image of her friend? Soon Mouse is playing with her sno-mole and having fun again. Meanwhile, Mole has begun to miss his friend and opens his door to look for her. When he sees her being followed by a stranger, he goes out to save her, only to discover that the stranger is her friend who, it turns out, looks just like him. Mole understands that Mouse has missed him, and he, in turn, decides to make a "sno-mouse" just like here. Mouse laughs at his snowy creation, and all four of them twirl on the ice. When playtime is over, they go back inside. Sitting in the warmth of their home, both Mouse and Mole agree that wintertime is indeed wonderful. Young children are likely to enjoy reading this story, with its repetition of letters and frequent use of rhymes. The illustrations are whimsical and serve to reinforce the story, a technique that will also help children who are beginning to read on their own. Parents who are teaching their children to read, however, may object to the spelling of the word "snow" in the phrases "sno-mole" and "sno-mouse." 2010, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Ages 6 to 8, $15.00. Reviewer: Leona Illig (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-547-34152-1
No
Claudia Rueda
Translated by Elisa Amado
With a little one’s stubbornness, little bear balks at his mother’s gentle suggestions that it is time to hibernate. With childlike bravado he tells he her will not get cold, will save a few berries in case he gets hungry, is strong enough to brave the cold wind, and no matter how much it snows it won’t bother him because, "I love snow." Soon a storm begins and the fun turns to fear when little bear no longer can see his mother in the whiteout. With plaintive cries of "Mama!" he scurries back to her because she might get lonely during the long winter. Little bear’s attempt at independence will strike a chord with preschoolers who will want this one read again and again. The warm conversation between mother and child is reminiscent of the banter in Margaret Wise Brown’s Runaway Bunny. The flat, well composed illustrations are rendered in a cool winter palette of blues, grays, and browns with the fluffy white flakes of snow giving way to a raging storm where just snippets of bear’s fur can be seen. The minimal simple text is given its punch by the strength of the illustrations. This one has winner written all over it. 2009, Groundwood Books, $18.95. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780888999917
Old Bear and His Cub
Olivier Dunrea
Most parent-child relationships include some push/pull moments, whatever the age of the child. Dunrea captures this perfectly in this quiet book about caring and independence. The reader knows from the start that "Old Bear loved his Little Cub with all his heart. Little Cub loved Old Bear with all his heart." However, loving and agreeing are not the same. Dunrea sets up several slight battles of will over Little Cub’s eating all his porridge, tying tight his scarf, and coming down from a craggy ledge. Each time when Little Cub refuses, Old Bear stares hard and Little Cub does as he is told. Little Bear objects to a nap in the snow; it turns out he was right as Old Bear develops a cold from sleeping in the snow. Now the tables are turned as Little Cub gives advice and stares down Old Bear—having him tie up his scarf, crawl into bed, and drink hot berry tea (with lots of honey). Little Cub reads to Old Bear through the night, until he yawns and snuggles close to Old Bear. That makes them both feel better and they fall asleep holding each other. This is such a quietly beautiful book about the love between the two. Words like shivered, shook, danced, and snuggled are perfectly chosen to bring the story alive. The repetition will encourage young listeners to join in the enjoyment of the story. Softly colored pencil-and-gouache illustrations are uncluttered, allowing young listeners to focus in on clear details such as the honey pot, Little Cub whispering in Old Bear’s ear, the blue blanket, and the steaming red teapot. Simple enough for young readers to enjoy themselves, but best read while snuggling together! 2010, Philomel Books, Ages 3 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Peg Glisson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0399245077
Olivia and the Snow Day
Adapted by Farrah McDoogle
Illustrated by Shane L. Johnson
Olivia and Ian watch the snow fall as they eat breakfast. It is really coming down. Will school be closed today? They eagerly listen to the radio and cheer when the name of their school is read on the closure list. They don their hats, boots, and mittens. Ian announces plans to build a snow fort. Olivia takes her video camera and begins a live report of snow day activities. She wants to interview a "man on the street," but settles for a chat with her dad who is shoveling the driveway. Dad asks if she has seen the Abominable Snowman. Olivia and Julian go in search of the mythical creature. The excitement builds as they follow giant footprints. They discover Harold in a snow bank wearing large snowshoes. Olivia announces that she has captured the Abominable Snowman. The use of rebus icons throughout the text enables nonreaders to participate in the reading. The characters are familiar to those who watch the Olivia show on television. Part of the "Ready to Read" series. 2010, Simon Spotlight/Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 to 6, $3.99. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4424-0813-5
One Snowy Day
Tammi Salzano
Illustrations by Hannah Wood
On the first page of this simple counting board-book, pudgy, pink-cheeked Penguin stands in his cozy living room and looks through the circular window of his igloo home at lacy, silver snowflakes. Because he loves the snow, snowy days to him mean one woolly hat, two warm mittens, and onward to ten marshmallows in his cocoa. The book ends, as it begins, with Penguin inside looking through his window, though now the reader sees him from the outside, presumably comfortable with billowing mounds of snow. The hard cover is softened with both rounded edges and a slightly puffing filling, making it safe for the youngest readers. Each of the identified, numbered items, which also include friends, sleds, buttons, and snowflakes, are ones that small children can understand. Even those who have no experience with snow will quickly figure out the meaning of snow angels, snowballs, and footprints. The footprints, fetchingly, are triangular, just like Penguin’s feet. The other shapes in the illustrations are similarly basic. The colors are pastel, yet just intense enough to be identified and talked about. The penguins’ expressions are happy, making this an appealing book to read to a toddler while cuddling on a chilly day. 2010, Tiger Tales/ME Media, Ages 2 to 5, $8.95. Reviewer: Cynthia Levinson (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58925-857-0
ISBN: 1-58925-857-6
Sneezy the Snowman
Maureen Wright
Illustrated by Stephen Gilpin
Sneezy has an unusual problem for a snowman: He’s cold! In fact, Sneezy is so cold that he’s willing to throw caution to the wind in order to feel a bit of warmth. So he drinks a cup of cocoa--and melts. He soaks in a hot tub--and melts. He stands by a campfire--and melts. Each time, the children rebuild him and offer a bit of clothing to help him feel better, from a stocking hat to a scarf to a coat. Wouldn’t you know it? All decked out in the body-warming clothes, hard-to-please Sneezy feels too warm! Luckily, the children have a solution. Wright’s rhyming text is well suited to this whimsical story. Parent storytellers will have fun acting out Sneezy’s big sneezes and exhortations, while emergent readers will appreciate the refrains throughout. Gilpin’s illustrations are attention-getting and fun, punctuated with the antics of a pair of amusing cardinals. Young readers will ask for this book more than once. 2010, Marshall Cavendish, $16.99. Ages 2 to 6. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761457114
Snow
Bill McAuliffe
Part of the "Science in the Skies" series, McAuliffe looks at the white stuff in many forms. McAuliffe uses four chapters to explain the basic science of snow and eight sidebars to expand on its impact. In the chapter titled Delicate as Lace, Strong as a Glacier, he offers the physics of snow formation. Other chapter titles are: How Deep is "Knee-Deep"? It’s Not for Everybody, and Humbling, Disruptive and Fatal. In a sidebar titled "Making It Go Away," McAuliffe explains the difficulties of getting rid of vast volumes of snow. "At Minnesota’s Minneapolis-St Paul International Airport, heated pools of water can melt 120 tons of snow per hour. The melters reduce the need to spread salt or other chemicals on pavement to keep snow from accumulating, which is better for the surrounding environment." Each page is illustrated with dramatic photos of storms. Some of the eight sidebars give specific, newspaper-like, descriptions of local storms to show their individual impact. These books will be well received by classrooms studying weather, as well as by kids who enjoy good nonfiction. Back matter includes glossary, selected bibliography and an index. 2011, Creative Education, $23.95. Ages 10 up. Reviewer: Amy S. Hansen (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781583419298
Snow Day!
Lester L. Laminack
Illustrated by Adam Gustavson
Narrated by Lester L. Laminack
Beginning with the weatherman’s forecast of snow, this story takes the listener through a blissful day of relaxation and enjoyment of a winter wonderland. Beautiful imagery and well-placed illustrations give readers the whole experience: hot cups of cocoa, snuggling up by a fire and finally, sledding down the hills with glee. Initially, the story seems to be told from a child’s point of view, but a clever twist at the end makes one realize that everyone enjoys snow days. The oil paintings provide a realistic and appealing interpretation of the snowy landscape. By combining flowing text with bold, fun images, the author and illustrator create a book that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages. The audio CD contains two expressive readings of this book by the author. One reading is with page-turner prompts and the other reading is without them. There is a brief introduction. Track 4 is comprised of comments by the author. He talks about the inspiration for this story, and asks the listener to identify the narrator. "Everyone loves a surprise," he says and he then instructs the listener to find several in the book. Total running time for the CD is 11 minutes and 50 seconds. There is a separate ISBN (978-1-56145-556-0) and price ($6.95) for the CD only. 2007, Peachtree Publishers, Ages 3 to 8, $19.95. Reviewer: Beckman Perry and Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781561454181
ISBN: 9781561455539
ISBN: 9780446574778
Snow Queen
Emma Harrison
Aubrey lives in Florida and has never seen snow, but her friend, Christie, has entered her in the Snow Queen competition. So, they head to Vermont and a ski resort. Aubrey would rather play hockey than wear a gown, but she supports her friend because she always dreamed of being crowned Snow Queen. When spoiled and rich Layla Chamberlin starts sabotaging Christie’s chance to win, Aubrey’s competitive streak kicks into gear to support Christie. Aubrey has been dating Layla’s brother, Grayson, who she thinks she can trust but is not sure. Read to see if Aubrey can recover her friendship with Christie, and what happens to her relationship with Grayson. This book has what the girls are looking for: boys, drama, love-hate relationships, and those exciting but sometimes troubling teen years. The book does come in paperback with a hot pink cover! 2010, HarperTeen/HarperCollins, $7.99. Ages 10 to 16. Reviewer: Naomi Butler (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780061714900
Snowbots
Aaron Reynolds
Illustrated by David Barneda
Every child who loves to play in the first snow and/or is fascinated by robots will want this delightful account of how young robots react when they get snow day, thanks to a heavy snowfall in Clackentown. The adult readers are equally likely to delight in how Reynolds makes clichés robotic, such as when he has the robot children "rubbing rust out of their eyes" and having a healthy breakfast of cereal with gasoline. Later on the robot little ones warm up and scrub clean in oil baths and drift off to sleep after kisses on their metallic noses. Barneda’s charming drawings put human faces on the Robot family along with very robotic appendages as one young Bot uses his claw to grasp her spoon while another hooks it to his power saw arm. The rhyming text avoids being sing-songy by moving between couplets and ABAC patterns. Altogether this is a delightful book for home or school libraries. 2010, Knopf/Random House, Ages 4 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Mary Hynes-Berry (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 0-375-85873-3
ISBN: 978-0-375-85873-4
The Snowman Effect
Deb Loughead
This book is one of the new titles in the Orca Currents series, written for reluctant middle school readers at a grade 2-4 reading level. The Snowball Effect deals with contemporary issues in a concise, clear manner, and even though the reading level is lower, there is excellent use of new language that will create opportunities for expanding the reader’s vocabulary. This title, like most in this series, is well-written and handles everyday events. Written in the first person, the reader gets to live through the experiences with the protagonist, both good and bad. Dylan and a few of his friends decide that a good way to spice up a Friday night is to throw snowballs off an overpass at passing cars. When the results aren’t exciting enough, one of his friends decides they should put stones inside the snowballs, but when one hits the windshield of an oncoming car and causes an accident, they all run away except Dylan. His presence at the scene is taken as heroism, and the reader follows Dylan as he deals with the outcomes of his lies and half-truths, and as he eventually seeks redemption. In the course of the story, Dylan deals with guilt, anxiety, and worry, but when the true story comes out, he has the courage to accept his mistakes and ask for forgiveness. In the end, there is even hope that his relationship with his mother and grandmother is improving, and he’s discovered who his real friends are. This book is full of teachable moments, most notably the idea that you can learn from your mistakes and become a better person. There are also several well-written descriptions of true Canadian winter weather. It is recommended for all public libraries and is a good addition to the Orca Currents series. (Orca Currents) Category: Fiction Grades 7-12. Thematic Links: Friendship; Guilt; Learning From Mistakes. Resource Links Rating: G-E (Good/Excellent), Gr. 5-9. 2010, Orca Book Publishers, 116 p.; (Reviewed from advance reading copy), Pbk. $9.95. Ages 10 to 15. Reviewer: Jaclyn McLean (Resource Links Reviews, October 2010 (Vol. 16, No.).
ISBN: 9781554693719
Snowmen All Year
Caralyn Buehner
Pictures by Mark Buehner
The Buehners return to their popular snowmen theme to contemplate the fun to be had if only the snowman were magic and "could stay with me all year." In rhymed couplets our narrator has his magical snowman join him in flying kites, visiting the zoo and an amusement park, celebrating a birthday party, playing games, even swimming and camping in the summer and trick-or-treating on Halloween. In the end, he is hoping the snowman he has just made will be the magic one. Double page, detailed, oil on acrylic paintings set the scenes of the text with a range of additional objects such as houses, trees, clouds, and woods under starry skies. The naturalism of the illustrations is simplified to emphasize the positive emotions expressed. In addition, readers are challenged to find hidden objects in each painting. 2010, Dial Books for Young Readers/Penguin Young Readers Group, Ages 3 to 6, $16.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-8037-3383-1
Snowy Days
Trudi Strain Trueit
Part of Benchmark’s "Rebus" picture book series aimed at the very young reader, this title focuses on all the fun a child can have on a snowy day. Add the fun of learning to read while playing a game and you have a real winner! The term rebus refers to a sort of word puzzle using images to represent whole words or portions of words. Therefore, the book opens with pictures of eight things that will be imbedded in the sentences of the book’s simple story line, along with the spelled out words that name these items. Each following double page spread features one short sentence with the rebus word imbedded within it and a corresponding full-page, full-color photograph of snowy scenes from a kid’s point of view. Written by former television weather forecaster Trueit and reviewed by educational consultant Nanci Vargus, Ed.D., the text is both accurate and structurally sound for the most beginning of beginning readers. The book ends with "words to know," explaining the verbs used in the story, and a page of resources for kids who want to learn more about snowy weather. This is a perfect choice for kids who love games and grownups who want to guide their young readers on the road to reading in an interactive way. Sturdy, hardcover library binding makes it a great choice for library or classroom shelves, too. 2010, Marshall Cavendish Benchmark, $15.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761440154
Super Snow Day: Seek and Find
Michael Garland
Readers are challenged, in a jolly introductory rhyme, to find more than 200 items of various kinds hidden in the illustrations. Fortunately, there is a key at the end. The story begins when young Tommy learns that schools are closed for a snow day. A note in rhyme from his Aunt Jeanne in his cereal bowl sends him outside to shovel. There another rhymed note sends him on snowshoes to town, where many people are enjoying the snow. Following the next note takes Tommy to the huge snow sculptures in the town square. His next goal, from his aunt’s note, is the lake, where Tommy goes ice-fishing and catches a fish. A note there sends him on an old-fashioned sleigh ride. A walk in the woods reveals animals abroad and underground. He even meets Old Man Winter, Jack Frost, and the Abominable Snowman. Other events follow. A final rhyming note invites Tommy to a Happy Snow Day celebration. The double-page scenes are complex as they provide the naturalistic settings plus all the extra items to be found. The foreign words for "snow" are printed very lightly, as are the book titles. There are 111 snowflakes to be found from jacket/cover front to back. Lots of jolly action is here amid the searching. 2010, Dutton Children’s Books/Penguin Group, Ages 5 to 8, $16.99. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-525-42245-7
Survival at 40 Below
Debbie S. Miller
Illustrated by Jon Van Zyle
It takes a special ability for animals to survive the harsh winter of the Arctic Circle, as this book illustrates through its beautiful paintings and descriptive text. The images portray the swiftly moving rivers, the ghost-like hanging fog, and the stillness of a quiet Alaskan night. Each picture tells its own story about the amazing animals that are able to pull through each winter up north. Balancing the art, the text itself is written in a voice that is compassionate toward the species that have adapted to the extreme circumstances of low temperatures, little food, and tough competition. Perhaps most intriguing are representations of frogs and squirrels, which are able to lower their own body temperatures and reduce their blood circulation in order to hibernate in a deathlike state as they wait for warmer days and the return of food. This book includes an inspirational author’s note, a glossary, a chart of record high and low temperatures of the Arctic, and a resource list of books and web sites. 2010, Walker Publishing Company, $17.99. Ages 9 to 13. Reviewer: Cherie Ilg Haas (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780802798152
ISBN: 9780802798169
The Three Little Kittens Get Dressed
Scholastic Library Publishing
Three kittens want to go out and play in the snow but they cannot find their mittens. They look around the house, under the chair, and beneath the bed. As they search for their mittens, the kittens find their hats, sweaters, coats, and boots. The three kittens bundle up as they find their warm, winter outerwear. Eventually, they find their mittens. Some children will enjoy the rhyming text and the twist of a classic nursery rhyme. The illustrations are colorful and there are interesting patterns and designs such as the mouse-patterned bedspread. There are speech bubbles included in some of the illustrations. For some tips to help children with concepts, there are a few ideas listed at the back of the book. Those preschoolers who enjoyed this story, may enjoy others from the series, "Rookie Preschool: My First Rookie Reader." The series presents concepts geared for the preschool age. Early childhood consultants guided the series. 2010, Children’s Press/Scholastic, $21.00 and $6.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780531244043
ISBN: 9780531245798
Willow and the Snow Day Dance
Denise Brennan Nelson
Illustrated by Cyd Moore
The story opens with a description of Mr. Larch’s lonely life and his lack of interest in his garden, his neighbors, or any seasonal activities. He even posts signs on his perfect-for-sledding-hill warning everyone to "keep off" and "go away." The cheerful watercolor illustrations portray the seasons and their decorations passing by Mr. Larch’s house, known locally as "The Cave." When irrepressible Willow moves across the street from the Cave, her sunny disposition is obvious. Delighted with enough room to start a garden, Willow sends colorful letters to each of her neighbors asking for help getting started with seedlings or seeds. The response is such that her yard becomes a luscious garden that brightens the entire street and gives everyone pleasure for having shared. Willow organizes a collection of "hats and mittens" for her school’s charity drive and rewards participants with vegetables from her garden. Sharp observers will notice that Mr. Larch makes a donation and receives his own share of the harvest’s bounty. Willow sends letters and notes to all of the neighbors and manages to provide a shining example of how neighborliness changes everyone. Winter’s approach makes Willow want to have a giant sledding event but the weather refuses to cooperate. Willow delivers yet another note: "I’m in need of snow! Can you help?" The picture of Mr. Larch reading the note shows a hint of a smile on his lips. Willow receives a response in the form of a letter with instructions for "The Snow Day Dance." She passes out copies of the instructions (which include wearing pajamas inside out and backwards AND dancing wildly on one’s bed). The double spread of all of the neighbors cavorting on their beds includes Mr. Larch in one corner. Then the next morning the entire neighborhood is covered in snow and decorated with cheerful snow people and a big message made from snowballs "Snow Day." Mr. Larch stands waiting at the top of his hill, ready to lead the sledding. This title covers so many things that teachers can employ in a classroom setting that the list could read like a basic curriculum: sequences in nature, weather, seasonal activities, recycling, predicting outcomes, having faith in people is important, generosity makes everyone feel good, writing letters can change attitudes and actions, observing others can provide inspiration, being a role model is essential (and can be contagious) and so forth. . .all of this wrapped in appealing illustrations. 2011, Sleeping Bear Press, Ages 3 to 8, $16.95. Reviewer: Sheilah Egan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-58536-522-7
Snow Features from Other Years:
Winter 2008-2009
Winter 2007-2008
Winter 2006-2007
Winter 2003-2004
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Updated 12/27/10
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