Snow
There is so much to do when it snows! Create the perfect snowball to take aim with, construct a snowman or igloo, zoom down hills on a sled, go on a nature walk to try and spot winter animals, and once your toes are numb head inside for hot chocolate where you can cut out paper snowflakes and read, read, read.
The books highlighted in this year's snow feature beautifully illustrate the different approaches to this singular topic—easy to discover when searching with CLCD. For the more science minded, there is Snow by Bill McAuliffe or Hiding in the Polar Regions by Deborah Underwood; both are nonfiction accounts that provide information about snow, such as how, why, and where snow occurs, and how to adapt to a snowy environment.
One of the biggest fascinations in snow-themed books is animals. Who can resist cute and cuddly animals covered in powdery snow, like those featured in Baby Snow Animals by Jane Katirgis. Anthropomorphized animals dominate most picture books—bears, mice, kittens, and birds discover and play in winter wonderlands.
For brave, older readers there is Trapped by Michael Northrop, a survival story of teens trapped in their school during a terrible blizzard. Snow can certainly create dangerous situations. Heroes, like characters found in The Snowshoeing Adventure of Milton Daub, Blizzard Trekker, make sure people have medicine, food, and shelter during harsh winter storms.
There is something for everyone in our 2012 snow themed feature. For more suggestions search "snow" in CLCD and you will discover over 12,000 results! I suggest narrowing that down by using qualifiers like publication date or age range to get a more specific list. Creating a reading list or finding that perfect snowy day book for a reader is "cool" with CLCD.
Contributor: Emily Griffin
Reviews
Baby Snow Animals
Jane Katirgis
Baby animals steal the show in this guided reading level B volume of the "All about Baby Animals" series. The vivid, lifelike pictures serve a dual purpose in encouraging new readers to keep the pages turning; the pictures support understanding of the text and foster interest in the text. This beginning reader book has characteristics more common to books with higher reading levels: a table of contents, a picture glossary, an index, a section of related web sites, and a section listing related books. The picture glossary is conveniently located before the story, allowing readers to become familiar with new words before they encounter them in the text. The text follows a predictable pattern, for example: "In the snow, a baby naps" and "In the snow, a baby slides" and "In the snow, a baby plays." The book concludes with "In the snow, a baby grows up." The layout is appealing to young readers as large text appears on a white page, while the facing page contains a photo of a baby animal in the snow performing the action detailed in the text. Young readers and their teachers and parents will appreciate the accessible yet sophisticated elements of this book for beginning readers while being captivated by baby animals in the snow. 2011, Bailey Books/Enslow Publishers, Ages 4 to 7, $21.26. Reviewer: Katie DeWald (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780766037977
Bedtime for Bear
Brett Helquist
Dressed in an orange-spotted nightshirt, clutching a stuffed bunny, big brown Bear stretches his mouth in a huge yawn. Outside his arched window two raccoons sharing a striped cap and scarf are building a snowman. Time for bed? Open the book and catch the raccoons yelling, "Hey, Bear!" And the story hasn't even started yet. Helquist's picture book for the youngest listeners and viewers doesn't include any disasters or sinister snowmen, but it does have a slippery slope, this time (unlike his illustrations for the Lemony Snicket series) strictly for fun. Though shaggy Bear is already snuggling down under his turquoise quilt, the raccoons burst in, begging him to come out and play in the enticing snow. Bear tries to sleep, but his acrobatic friends prove too distracting and soon he is joining them. Tripping, slipping, flipping, tumbling, and thumping, he rolls down an icy hill. It's just too exciting! Bear and the frenzied raccoons do it again and again--then they are laughing, making a snowbear, firing off snowballs ("Zip! Zonk!") till the moon comes out and exhausted Bear retires to his waiting bunny. With its big pages, a winter palette of browns and oranges, aqua and white, the artist has created an antic world of snowy fun that will appeal to readers wishing they were there. Since the final painting shows Bear sound asleep inside his snug (and rather grand) tree house, bedtime listeners may be tired enough to do the same. Helquist, who has been inspired by classic illustrators Wyeth and Pyle and admires Hans Christian Andersen Medal—winner Lisbeth Zwerger, proves once again the power of his artistry. 2011, Harper/HarperCollins, Ages 2 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature).
Awards, Honors, Prizes:
E.B. White Read Aloud Award, 2011 Honor Book Picture Book United States
ISBN: 9780060502058
Dogs in the Dead of Night
Mary Pope Osborne
Number forty-six in the "Magic Tree House: A Merlin Mission" series is about St. Bernards who rescue stranded travelers in Switzerland. Annie and Jack are tasked with finding a rare flower to help friends reverse a spell. So they go to their magic tree house and read the message their friends have left them: find a special yellow and white flower and live its meaning for an hour. The book they are about to use is about the Swiss Alps, in particular the Saint Bernard Pass. But when they get there, all they find is snow and mountains. Jack is sure they will never find the flower and to make matters worse they are caught in an avalanche. They are rescued by a Saint Bernard trained by a group of monks who breed the dogs. To repay the monks, Annie helps train an exuberant pup, Barry, and in the end the two children become Saint Bernards for an hour by drinking the magic elixir they had been given. This way they can find Barry who ran off after being scolded for destroying a book. They have a grand time as the dogs, find Barry and rescue a soldier from Napoléon Bonaparte's army. While they are dogs, they explain to Barry how he must behave, winning the gratitude of the monks. One of them gives Jack and Annie a dried yellow and white flower. They get home in time be ready for school. A nice way to teach a little history to kids, this story is fast paced and entertaining. 2011, Random House Children's Books/Random House, Ages 7 to 9, $12.99. Reviewer: Sarah Maury Swan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375868245
The Drop
Jeff Ross
The Drop is a new title in the Orca Sports Series. Titles in this series are aimed at reluctant teen readers and combine mystery and adventure with sports, and are written using exciting plots and easy to read language. All Alex wants is to be chosen as a member of the Backcountry Patrol, an elite group of snowboarders who patrol the ungroomed mountain slopes of British Columbia. The story opens as he and three other teens (Hope, Dave, and Bryce) are taking part in training exercises, working to prove themselves as candidates for the elite Patrol. The expedition into the wilds of British Columbia goes awry when Bryce disappears during a blizzard, and Sam, the instructor, spends too much time with his flask. Alex and Hope strike out to find and rescue Bryce, and along the way they discover their true potential and strength as they avoid an avalanche and thwart kidnappers with guns. The descriptions of the cold and the snow are so realistic that this reader felt a chill, and the first-person accounts of snowboarding are very exciting. In the midst of a stressful situation, it's snowboarding that reminds Alex how lucky he is: "The sun came out and shone on the snow. It felt good to be here. Good to be alive. I turned and aimed myself at the edge of the drop, hoping the feeling would last." This is a story of following your dreams, and believing in yourself. There are many passages in the book that reflect on that theme, as Alex and the others are encouraged to be the best they can be, and not try to be something or someone else. This moral lesson is well camouflaged in an exciting story about snowboarding through the untamed wilderness, and makes for a great read. Highly recommended. (Orca Sports Series) Category: Fiction Grades 7-12. Thematic Links: Snowboarding; British Columbia; Adventure Stories. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Gr. 5-8. 2011, Orca Book Publishers, 159p.; (Reviewed from Advance Reading Copy), Pbk. $9.95. Ages 10 to 14. Reviewer: Jaclyn McLean (Resource Links Reviews, June 2011 (Vol. 16, No. 5)).
ISBN: 9781554693924
Fox on the Ice / Maageesees Maskwameek Kaapit
Tomson Highway
Illustrated by Brian Deines
Tomson Highway is an award-winning author and playwright. In this tale of traditional Cree life in northern Manitoba, he weaves together a picture of a loving family, the natural environment and a mystical event. The story is written in both Cree and English. Highway depicts a family's winter outing: travelling by dog sled, going ice-fishing, and sharing a picnic of bannock and whitefish. While Papa and Cody watch the jigger, Mama and little Joe nap in the sled attached to the resting huskies. Suddenly the dogs spy a fox on the other side of the lake and off they go like a shot, carrying Mama and Joe with them. Papa has to make a quick choice. He abandons his jigger and valuable net in order to save them. Luckily, he is able to stop the runaway sled and Ootsie, Cody's dog, manages to save the net, to everyone's delight. Brian Deines' oil paintings make you feel the texture of the snow, the coldness of the air, and the beauty of the wildlife above and below the ice. There is magic in Highway's writing even in the midst of a dangerous sled ride: "Jets of snow flew up from Mama's heels. Rainbows danced inside them. To Cody, the sled looked like a faraway angel taking off on wings of rainbow snow. Mama's shouts and dogs' barks sounded like crystal chimes." This book would tie in well with studies of seasonal activities of aboriginal people. Highly recommended. Category: Picture Books. Thematic Links: Cree Language; Manitoba; Winter; Seasonal Activities of Aboriginal People. Resource Links Rating: E (Excellent, enduring, everyone should see it!), Gr. 1-4. 2011, Fifth House Ltd/ Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 32p. Illus., Hdbk. $19.95. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Lori Austin (Resource Links Reviews, April 2011 (Vol. 16, No. 4)).
ISBN: 9781897252659
Girls Play to Win: Skiing and Snowboarding
Karen Latchana Kenney
The "Girls Play to Win" is one of the best book series focusing on women's sports that I have seen. This installment featuring skiing and snowboarding is a brief, but comprehensive look at the sport, focusing on the role women have played in adapting to the sport as well as transforming the sport for women. Chapter one begins with an overview of skiing and a description of terms and the necessary equipment. Chapter two explores the history of skiing when it was a necessary means of transportation in cold regions of the world through the transformation of skiing into a sport. The history of competitive races is included as well as the necessary changes in ski attire for women as they stopped skiing in corsets and long skirts and dared to wear pants. Chapter three describes the evolution of skiing equipment—the ski lift was invented in 1936 and fiberglass skis were invented in the mid-1950s. Chapter four focuses on the basics of snowboarding, including the sport's lingo and equipment. Chapters five and six discuss the racing scene and women stars of both sports. The end of the book includes a glossary, book and website resources for further research and an index. 2011, Norwood House Press, Ages 9 to 12, $26.60. Reviewer: Stephanie R. Pearmain (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781599533919
Glaciers
Christine Webster
Part of the "Water Science" series, Webster first explains why we study glaciers, and then discusses what is known about them. Writing clearly, Webster describes the anatomy of a glacier, types of glaciers, glacier movement, a timeline of glaciers, rocky road—which describes how rocks move with glaciers— glacial deposits, and lakes. Most topics are covered on a two-page spread with many diagrams and photos. One of the last and best features of the series is a brief introduction to a professional in the field, glaciologist Lonnie Thompson whose work "helped confirm that global warming is causing glaciers to retreat." Back matter includes a brief quiz, a hands-on science demonstration showing how melting ice changes water level, a water wheel, a glossary, and an index. But there is more. These books have an online component. Using the book code printed inside the cover, readers can link to an online version of the book and a video. 2011, AV2 /Weigl, Ages 8 to 10, $27.13. Reviewers: Amy S. Hansen (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781616900007
Gus Makes a Friend
Frank Remkiewicz
Gus is a rhinoceros, so it is a little surprising to see him all bundled up on the cover in scarf and boots putting a hat on a snowman. The story opens with Gus looking out the window and seeing the snow. He wants to play, but Mom and Dad are both too busy, so outside he goes and decides that he will make a friend. First he creates a big snowball for the feet, then another for the body and finally a third one for the head. He gets a little help from his mother who gives him some peas to create the eyes and his friend Ned (who looks like one nerdy giraffe) who brings some sticks to make the arms. "Snow Boy" gets a hat from Gus and a pair of glasses from Ned, but that is not the end of the story. Kids will enjoy this easy to read tale with amusing drawings that provide a solid foundation for working out any difficult words or concepts in the text. A Pre level 1 book in the "Scholastic Reader" series which means it contains thirty to one hundred words and has a word count of seventy-four. The Lexile rating is BR and the Guided Reading level is F. 2011, Cartwheel/Scholastic, Ages 2 to 5, $3.99. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780545244701
Have Fun Anna Hibiscus!
Atinuke
Illustrated by Lauren Tobia
Anna Hibiscus doesn't shy away from adventures and when she gets the chance to visit her Grandma in Canada, she jumps at the chance. Anna is excited and scared but eager to travel and spend Christmas in Canada. When she arrives, Anna finds that the journey was only the beginning of her adventure. Adapting to the cold of a Canadian winter, as well as unfamiliar foods and a dog in the house and the new traditions that Granny Canada wants to share with Anna makes each day an adventure. It's never easy to visit a new country and Anna constantly feels the differences between staying in Canada and her safe, happy home in Africa. Anna's life in Africa may seem odd to many young readers, but Anna's adventure in Canada will help children realize that normal life for them can be just as odd for children from other countries. 2011, Kane Miller/EDC Publishing, Ages 5 to 10, $5.00. Reviewer: Danielle Williams (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781610670081
Hiding in the Polar Regions
Deborah Underwood
The books in this series provide information on adaptations that go beyond mere camouflage. These primary leveled readers can be a valuable resource to teach life science concepts. Each of the eight books in the series highlights a different ecosystem and the animals adapted to thrive in it. Because all the books in the series use the same format, navigating them is easy. Hiding in the Polar Regions begins with a simple description: "Polar regions are cold, icy places." There is a world map designating their locations. Then, the text and photo depicts adaptations of animals consistent with teaching science to young children. Students are shown how camouflage helps an animal to survive in the Arctic and Antarctica. The orca whale, for instance, can barely be seen in an aerial view because its black back blends in with the dark ocean bottom. Alternatively, the whale's white belly looks like sunlight to a predator swimming below. Several animals grow white coverings in the winter for hiding in the snow only to turn brown in the spring for color protection. Trying to find the polar bear in the snow is a challenge, because only its black nose is visible. This book does not substitute for taking young learners outside into their local environment to look for adaptations of animals and plants. It does, however, open the door to understanding that animals all over the world must adapt to survive in their ecosystems. Strategies are given for helping young students read and understand the book and will help primary teachers. Each page has one to three sentences in large, black print that is appropriate for primary students. There is a contrasting explanation box overlapping each photo. Page numbers are highly visible, which is useful when reading to groups of students. Science terms that may challenge a student's reading level are accompanied by phonetic spellings. Highlighted glossary terms are limited, which will help younger students focus on those that are relevant. Camouflaged animals are expertly hidden in photos and uniquely revealed. An identical photo is on the next page depicting the animal against a contrasting gray-and-white background. This will help even the youngest students to distinguish the physical characteristics of the animal. Giving students enough time to examine the photographs may tempt them to turn the page to find the animal revealed. Each book in this series explains one unique ecosystem and highlights animals that have adapted to that environment. The entire series helps students to understand the importance of adaptation to survival in diverse ecosystems. Grades K-3. 2011, Heinemann Library, 32p, $7.99. Ages 5 to 9. Reviewer: Karen Timmons (National Science Teachers Association (NSTA)).
ISBN: 9781432940270
Kitten's Winter
Eugenie Fernandez
What is it like to explore the winter landscape? To step into a snowdrift? To feel coldness in your breath? To explore a single snowflake with your eyes and paws? In this beautifully illustrated book, Kitten steps outside and discovers blowing snow, a freezing pond, a snowman, and snow heaps. With the snow blowing at his back, Kitten sees a fox, turtle, beaver, raccoon, woodpecker, rabbit, mouse, otter, fish, squirrel, bear, and chipmunk during this lively adventure. Kitten watches hibernating animals and discovers how much weather impacts the landscape. At one point a blizzard howls, and Kitten struggles to find his home. Finally the house door opens, and Kitten snuggles in love and warmth. In this lovely story, Eugene Fernandez takes young readers on a lively adventure through a winter wonderland. Kitten's Winter is a lively, active adventure that is guaranteed to charm readers of all ages, filled with vivid illustrations and memorable characters. 2011, Kids Can Press, Ages 3 to 6, $14.95. Reviewer: Suzanna E. Henshon, Ph.D. (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-55453-343-5
Making a Friend
Alison McGhee
Illustrated by Marc Rosenthal
Snow is a part of winter in many areas and building a snowman is an important activity during this season. The author and illustrator take a winter scene with a boy building and befriending a snowman, and depict the power of love and friendship. The message: "What you love will always be with you." shines through the brief text and captivating drawings. Although wind and warmer weather turn the carefully crafted snowman into frost on the window, fog, and rain as spring approaches, the basic message of love is always there. Young readers will learn that nothing you really care for will ever disappear for good. The story is in part a tutorial about building a snowman. After forming the snow into the body of a snowman, illustrations and text show that the builder will need eyes, a nose, a mouth, arms, and a hat to finish off the snowman. The story also presents the change in the seasons from fall to spring with relevant illustrations. 2011, Atheneum/Simon & Schuster, Ages 4 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Annie Laura Smith (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781416989981
Mouse's First Snow
Lauren Thompson
Illustrated by Buket Erdogan
The softly illustrated snowy scenes of a perfect winter day spent playing with Poppa, and the short, snappy text make this a nice addition to the "Mouse's First" series. The little mouse and his daddy go out to play in the snow. First, Poppa goes sledding. "Woosh, swoosh!" Then Mouse decides he can do that too, and he does. "Pliff, Ploof!" Poppa goes skating and Mouse joins in, gliding across the ice. Then Poppa teaches Mouse how to make snow angels. Mouse watches Poppa make asnow house; Mouse makes one of his own. All through the book Poppa shows Mouse how to do things. Although Mouse does not do everything quite as well as Poppa, he has a wonderful time. Finally Poppa rolls a big snow ball and Mouse rolls a slightly smaller one. With just a little work, the snowballs are made into a surprise for Mouse—a round little snow mouse. This will be fun to read just before taking a little one out to romp in the snow. It is also a fine book to share when curling up on the sofa on a cold winter's day. Now available in a board book edition that is perfect for little hands. 2011 (orig. 2005), Simon & Schuster, Ages 2 to 6, $12.95. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781442426511
No Two Alike
Keith Baker
Two bright red birds fly amid the falling snowflakes trying to prove the scientific fact that no two snowflakes are alike. What they discover on their joyful, soaring journey is that no two comparable things in nature are precisely the same—not leaves, paths, footprints, or redbirds. With digital drawings of bright scarlet birds against a pale, shivery sky, this is a perfect book for winter story time sharing. The words are spare, but the rhymes are infectious and the pictures will give the story leader many opportunities to name the animals and snow-crusted items depicted in the graphics. Baker previously captivated readers with LMNO Peas, and this book similarly (though not exactly) is a charming and exceptionally rendered seasonal tale. This book will provide a great preamble for a pre-school or kindergarten study of snowflakes or differences in nature. Also, there is an evidently easy craft tie-in to snowflake cutting as a craft project. 2011, Simon and Shuster Children's Publishing Division, Ages 3 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Lois Rubin Gross (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-1-4424-1742-7
Not a Buzz to Be Found: Insects in Winter
Linda Glaser
Illustrated by Jaime Zollars
So where do insects go when it gets cold? Monarch Butterflies migrate, but many butterflies and moths, like the Black Swallowtail Butterfly, stay in their caterpillar forms and burrow under leaves or snow for a long winter's sleep. Ladybird (ladybug) beetles hide under fallen logs or leaves and hardly move. Honey bees eat the honey in their nest and huddle together for the winter. But some insects, like the Mourning Cloak Butterfly, have natural antifreeze in their bodies to keep them from freezing as they wrap themselves under the bark of trees. Praying Mantis eggs winter in the case their mother makes for them in the fall. Other insects, such as the Common Pondhawk Dragonfly, wait for spring in the muddy bottom of a pond. Ants hibernate in their underground homes and baby Gallflies sleep in the bubbles—or galls—their mothers make for them on plant stems. Cricket eggs stay safe in the earth, but Bald-Faced Hornet eggs winter over inside their mommas who are tucked inside rotting logs. Nice illustrations and engaging text make this book a charming addition to any science library. 2012, Millbrook Press/Lerner Publishing Group, Ages 6 to 9, $25.26. Reviewer: Maury Swan (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 978-0-7613-5644-8
Perfect Snow
Barbara Reid
Brothers Scott and Jim are delighted to wake up and see snow. School is open, but they look forward to recess, finding the snow "perfect." Jim cannot wait to get out and build his Snow Fortress of Doom. Scott begins a team of snowmen. Other kids raid Jim's fort in a swirl of snow, then head for Scott's snowmen. Jim stops them just as the bell rings. At lunch, the brothers and the other children work together to make "The World's Greatest Totally Massive Snowman Fort." When they leave school, they agree that both the snow and the fort are "perfect." Unfortunately it rains that night. But the optimistic boys find the resulting slush "excellent" as well. Reid uses colored Plasticine effectively and naturalistically for the main illustrations of the children and their outfits in the snow. The visual tale is enhanced with added ink and watercolor pictures on the sides, tops, or bottoms of some pages, like storyboards of other actions. The combination convincingly depicts the school day winter activities in a light-hearted fashion. Check the added visual note in the end pages. 2011 (orig. 2009), Albert Whitman & Company, Ages 5 to 8, $16.99. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780807564929
Peter and the Winter Sleepers
Rick de Haas
Young Peter lives in a lighthouse with his grandmother and his dog Leo. One morning he wakes up delighted to find that it has been snowing. He and Leo play outside enjoying "the real thing" all day. Expecting more snow, Grandma brings in the chicken and the goat. The next morning Peter hears a scratching at the door under three feet of snow, and admits a very cold rabbit. From then on, day-by-day, they welcome a series of critters, singly or with their whole families, as the snow keeps falling. With the increasing noise and accumulation of dirt, Peter begins to think, "enough is enough." So when he lets a fox in, and his grandmother reminds him what a fox eats, Peter chases the fox out. Peter then feels sorry. When everyone manages to pull the cold fox out of a deep hole, Peter promises that the poor fox can stay as long as he likes. As spring comes and the snow melts, all the guests leave except the fox. Leo is not happy about this, but Peter has kept his promise. The humorous portrayal of the cartoonish but naturalistic characters adds to the simple plot as the lighthouse fills with activity and debris. Details of the furniture and spiral staircase make an attractive context. On the front end pages snow covers the lighthouse; on the back, the ground and sky are visible again. 2011 (orig. 2008), NorthSouth Books, Ages 3 to 6, $16.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780735840331
Red Sled
Lita Judge
On a wintery day, child comes home from a day of sledding and leaves a red sled outside the cabin. Night falls and the evening adventure begins. A bear spies the red sled leaning against the cabin and carries it off. The bear is joined by a rabbit. Together, they go sledding down the hillside. It is not long before a moose, some raccoons, and other creatures join in on the ride of their lives. Although the text is minimal and only covers the sounds made during the adventure, the illustrations capture the fun and excitement along with the thrills and spills as the animals go for a joyride on the sled. The pictures fill the pages with the different expressions like the feeling of the porcupine's amusement and the sheer look of terror in the mouse's eyes. At the end of the story, there is a fun twist that may entice children to want to start the story all over again. 2011, Atheneum Books for Young Readers/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing Division, Ages 2 to 6, $16.99. Reviewer: Carrie Hane Hung (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9781442420076
Snow
Bill McAuliffe
In this era of global warming and its effects on extraordinary weather phenomenon ranging from tornadoes to hurricanes, and daily weather phenomena from clouds to snow, children are understandably curious (and sometimes worried) about the world of weather. Now The Creative Company has published "Science of the Skies," a six volume series by Bill McAuliffe which is especially designed, written, and illustrated for young readers identifying and explaining extreme weather evens and the ways in which precipitation, temperatures, and winds affect the weather—and affect their lives. Each of these 48-page, superbly illustrated, and thoroughly 'kid friendly' titles is enhanced with a table of contents, a bibliography, an index, and a glossary. Ideal for family, school, and community library children's books collections, "Science of the Skies" is comprised of Forecasting; Clouds; Hurricanes; Snow; Thunderstorms; and Tornadoes. Although each of these outstanding titles are available individually ($34.25 Trade / $23.95 Library), school and community libraries would be well advised to acquire the entire series for their young students and patrons ($205.50 Trade / $143.70 Library). Books in Series, The Creative Company, $34.25 Trade / $23.95 Library. Reviewer: Midwest Book Review (Children's Bookwatch: October 2010).
ISBN: 9781583419298
Snow Puppy
Marcus Pfister
His family has left him home alone, and Rascal, a puppy, is bored. He notices unusual, for him, white specks floating down outside. Managing to open the door, Rascal races around outside having fun with the snowflakes. He spots a small brown creature hopping by and squeezes through the fence to chase it into the woods. Following the scent, he pushes his nose into the rabbit's hole and gets stuck. When he is finally free, he is cold, wet, hungry, and lost. He encounters a man who gives him some food and warms him in his coat. The man then puts him onto his sleigh for a ride to town to sell his Christmas trees. There Rascal is happily reunited with his family. We are sold on this appealing pup on the front jacket, standing in snow; bits of glitter shine around the title in the painted woods. Large white double pages comfortably hold the brief text and the textured, naturalistic illustrations of puppy actions and explorations. Add Rascal to your collection of cute, cuddly pets. 2011, North-South Books, Ages 3 to 6, $16.95. Reviewer: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780735840317
The Snowshoeing Adventure of Milton Daub, Blizzard Trekker
Margaret K. Wetterer and Charles M. Wetterer
Adaptation by Emma Carlson Berne
Illustrated by Zachary Trover
In 1888, a terrible blizzard affected the Northeastern United States. Snow and ice buried much of the land found between Maine and Maryland. In this story, Milton Daub's mother said she needed milk for the baby, but the snow was so deep she knew she wouldn't be able to get any. Milton and his father make a pair of snowshoes and he sets off to town. On his way home, many people saw him carrying milk and asked if he could sell them some. When the first load had been sold, Milton went back to the store and bought more and had to go back one more time before he headed home. He explained to his parents that people still needed things and so he went out again. Milton was able to deliver medicine, food, and milk to all the people in the town. But, at one point, his snow shoe broke. Will Milton be able to get home safely? The illustrations are excellent, and the story flows; however, had the book been longer, more about the actual excursion could have been included. The majority of pages show people asking for milk or medicine and Milton delivering it. This book was written in graphic form which is perfect for a reluctant reader as well as an avid reader. This book is part of the "History's Kid Heroes" series. At the end of the book the authors include sections called Afterword, Further Reading and Websites, and information about the author, adapter, and illustrator. 2010, Graphic Universe, Ages 9 to 12, $26.60. Reviewer: Kathie M. Josephs (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780761361756
Snow Joe
Carol Greene
Illustrated by Paul Sharp
Reminiscent of the Dick and Jane readers, this book has a very limited vocabulary. Joe is wakened by his mother to a snowy day. Once he is bundled up nice and warm he is off to play in the wonderful snow. He makes a snowman, rolls around (presumably just for fun), makes snowballs that he throws at his dog, and rides his sled. Joe seems likeable enough although his oversized galoshes make one wonder how he can move about. The blurb at the end of the story introduces the author and illustrator and this is followed by several activities to reinforce the lessons in communication, counting, and classifying. First there is a rebus rhyme, a vocabulary exercise, and a counting quiz. There is a list of the fifteen words that make up the story. This "Rookie Ready to Learn-Seasons and Weather" series supports the emergent or beginning reader. 2012 (orig. 1982), Children's Press/Scholastic, Ages 3 to 6, $22.00. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780531268049
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons
Il Sung Na
In this delightfully simple concept book about the seasons of winter and spring, the reader follows a rabbit through the wintery landscape as he observes the way various animals spend the season. Appearing in every illustration, the rabbit sees ducks flying to warmer climates, bears hibernating in their dens, turtles migrating to warmer waters, sheep staying warm in their woolly coats, squirrels busily gathering food, deer loping away to find their food elsewhere, alligators lying still in the water and mice scurrying around in their holes. There are many opportunities to practice concepts here: young readers can be prompted to find the rabbit, name the types of animals, count the animals in each scene and describe what the animals are doing. Bright, whimsical, batik-patterned illustrations enliven the story. In the end, some of the animals make a second appearance to usher in spring, along with the flower-bedecked rabbit, bringing the story to a satisfying and hopeful close. 2011 (orig. 2010), Borzoi/Alfred A. Knopf/Random House, Ages 4 to 8, $15.99. Reviewer: Michele C. Hughes (Children's Literature).
ISBN: 9780375867866
Trapped
Michael Northrop
A typical snowstorm stalls over a New England town only to gain strength and become an enormous nor'easter, dumping massive amounts of snow. Sophomore Scotty Weems and six other students become stranded at their high school after deciding to stay and work on a school project, a go-kart nicknamed "The Flammenwerfer." Two freshmen girls; another student, Elijah; and Les Goddard, the school's resident thug, also become stranded as the snow piles high around the school. When the lone stranded teacher braves the elements to try to find help but does not return, the students realize that what, at first, seemed like an adventure turns out to be a true struggle for survival. The kids make plans, create a place to sleep, break into the cafeteria for food, and try to figure out how to stay warm once the power goes out. As the hours turn into days, the teens' lone radio offers the one connection to the outside world. A plan to save themselves is hatched when part of the school collapses because of the snow. Ultimately the plan, which involves the go-kart, ends in a tragedy but also becomes the catalyst for a rescue. Trapped convincingly depicts teens in the "worst blizzard in the history of the continental United States." The cute freshman girl, the class bully, and three good-natured friends all have the trappings of stereotypical teen characters, but Northrop avoids that territory, showing how the teens both work together and argue over important decisions. The constant reminders of the storm and the use of the radio keep the gravity of the situation in the forefront of readers' minds. While the ending is slightly abrupt, teens looking for a current survival story might be drawn into this one. VOYA CODES: 3Q 3P M J (Readable without serious defects; Will appeal with pushing; Middle School, defined as grades 6 to 8; Junior High, defined as grades 7 to 9). 2011, Scholastic, 240p., $17.99. Ages 11 to 15. Reviewer: Jeff Mann (VOYA, April 2011 (Vol. 34, No. 1)).
ISBN: 9780545210126
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Updated 12/30/11
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