The Joys of Winter Winter oficially began on December 21, 2004 and many of us have already experienced some snow and rather cold weather. But winter can bring much joy, with the beauty of the snow both during the day and at night when the trees cast dark shadows on the white surface. It is also a time that appeals to kids as the build snowmen, skate on frozen ponds or enjoy sledding down hills. Adults too enjoy wonderful winter sports and the warth of a cozy fire after a days outing. The books below highlight some of the many facets of winter. Arctic Frozen Reaches Wendy Pfeffer    This book is one in a five-volume series, "Living on the Edge," written about animals that live in extreme environments and the adaptations that enable them to survive. The Arctic is a frozen land where "winter brings total darkness, blinding blizzards and bitter cold temperatures." Yet many animals make this hostile region their home. Polar bears, musk oxen, Arctic wolves and snowy owls are just a few of the hardy animals that have adapted to and thrive in this frigid part of the world. Vivid descriptions of animal behaviors make for an exciting read. "Like a cat stalking a mouse, the bear creeps silently over the ice then waits until a seal pokes it head through a hole in the ice...its strong claws pull the seal up through the hole. It does so with no more trouble than you have pulling a tissue from a box." Every page of text is illustrated with vibrant photographs and, when appropriate, simple maps showing where Arctic animals live. The final chapter briefly highlights other creatures living in this brutal land--lemmings that spend all winter under the snow; ground squirrels that hibernate seven months of the year; and, weasels whose fur (like that of many Arctic animals) turns snowy white in the winter. To learn more about this part of our world and the animals that live there, check out the "Find Out More" pages at the end that list other books, magazine articles and Web sites. This well-written and extremely informative book would be an excellent addition to school and classroom libraries and a perfect choice for every child who loves animals 2003, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $24.21. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature).    Part of the "Living on the Edge" series, this sturdy picture book will give young readers a good look at what kinds of animals live in such a harsh environment and what adaptations they've had to make to ensure their survival. The book's 10-inch by 10-inch size allows its many full-color photos and maps to be reproduced in larger-than-usual dimensions, which in turn allows readers to see, more clearly, the details of animal fur, feathers and anatomy referred to in the text--as well as to see more completely how these animals blend in with their stark white environment. The text is set in simple, large, easy-to-read type, making it a good choice for beginning readers. The text is organized in a way that makes comprehension easier, too, by beginning with an overview of common adaptations all arctic animals must make to survive in their frigid environment, then advancing to specific examples of arctic birds and mammals, both large and small. The book ends with a glossary of scientific terms used in the text, a listing of Web sites and other resources for readers wishing to "Find Out More" and a complete subject index. A great choice for classroom or library. 2003, Benchmark Books, $24.21. Ages 8 to 11. Reviewer: Dianne Ochiltree (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books for Children, 2003; Science Books & Films; United States ISBN: 0-7614-1437-1 A To Z of Winter Tracy Nelson Maurer    A stimulating book for young readers, this book uses the alphabet, the seasons, and nouns to reinforce classroom reading programs. With vibrant photographs to illustrate each noun, readers will experience winter along the way and have fun too. From A to Z, the book helps readers learn simple nouns associated with the winter season. Drifts, hats, evergreens, ice and sleds are just some examples of the winter-type nouns you will encounter. As part of the "A to Z" series, the book is a great addition to the classroom for helping students with school literacy requirements, along with other books of this series that emphasize verbs. 2003, Rourke Publishing, $26.60. Ages 4 to 6. Reviewer: Michele Wilbur (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-5895-2199-4 Bear Wants More Karma Wilson Illustrations by Jane Chapman In this delightful follow up to Bear Snores On it is spring and "When springtime comes/in his warm winter den/a bear wakes up/very hungry and thin!" To try to satisfy his hunger, he eats the grass outside his den, "but the bear wants more!" Friends--mouse, rabbit and badger lead him to feasts of berries, clover and fish but still, "bear wants more!" His nose leads him back to his home, where other friends have cooked up a springtime celebration for their recently awakened friend. However, when bear goes to join the party he finds he is now too big for the cave's entrance and becomes, "stuck, stuck, stuck!" Chapman's brightly colored illustrations portray friendly and approachable animals that still retain their identities as wild animals. Elementary teachers will find this very useful in both bear and hibernation units, and story-time children will ask for it again and again. 2003, Margaret K. McElderry Books, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Sharon Oliver (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States State and Provincial Reading Lists: Building Block Picture Book Award, 2004; Nominee; Pre School; Missouri ISBN: 0-689-84509-X The Blizzard Betty Ren Wright Illustrated by Ronald Himler    Billy is heartbroken when he learns that an impending storm will prevent his cousins from coming to his birthday party. A "thick curtain of snow" falls during the day, and Billy's dad comes to the one-room school to suggest that the kids and teacher come to his farm for the night. Clutching hands in a follow-the-leader fashion the children trudge through the blinding snow following their teacher and Billy's dad. At Billy's there is hot chocolate and a hearty dinner. After a rousing sing-along, Billy is overjoyed to share his birthday cake with his unexpected guests. Snuggled in bed that night with three other classmates, Billy reveals to his father "that December is a fine time for a birthday." Brimming with nostalgia, the heartwarming story harkens back to a simpler time and old-fashioned neighborliness. Himler's watercolors and gouache over pencil are impressive. He flawlessly shifts his palette between the blues and grays of the raging storm and the warm brown and yellow tones of the cozy interior. The warmth of this story will take the chill off a winter day. 2003, Holiday House, $16.95. Ages 5 to 10. Reviewer: Beverley Fahey (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States Booklist Book Review Stars, 2003; United States Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson School Library Journal Book Review Stars, October 2003; Cahners; United States ISBN: 0-8234-1656-9 Blizzards Lisa Benjamin    When we get any type of bad snow storm folks in our area tend to call it a blizzard. Benjamin sets readers straight by defining what constitutes a blizzard--strong winds and snow that limits visibility, both conditions lasting for at least three hours. The text and diagrams explain the causes of a blizzard and areas such as the Great Plains where they are most likely to occur. Blizzards pose a threat to people and animals, but some animals have developed ways of protecting themselves by either huddling together, burying themselves in the snow or seeking some other shelter. On the bright side, today's meteorologists have better tools and information available to help them predict when bad weather may be approaching. There are brief entries describing the great blizzards of 1888, 1949, and 1996. Clear, informative writing tells the story; all of which is illustrated with excellent full-color photographs some of which have captions that pose questions as well as providing additional information. Bolded words found in the text are defined in the glossary and there is an index and references to pertinent web sites. Part of the excellent "Newbridge Discovery Links" series. 2003, Newbridge, $7.95. Ages 7 to 9. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-4007-3673-0 A Chill in the Air; Nature Poems for Fall and Winter John Frank Illustrated by Mike Reed    Here is a nice collection of short poems. The poetry begins with the first sign of fall and continues with the arrival of fall, early winter, late winter, and on through the first signs of spring's arrival. The cover sets the mood, showing colored leaves flying by over the wind-blown hair of a young boy. The varied types of poems are sometimes amusing (witches should make sure "beneath their gown they're wearing thermal underwear") and sometimes serious ("Sometimes winter roars with storms of terrifying might"). The colored illustrations accentuate the text well to enrich the message and show movement. The print is large enough for the intended age level. Although the book is recommended for ages four through eight, this would be effective with older children for the study of the language that creates the mental images of the season. The book is recommended for libraries, classrooms, and home collections. 2003, Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Pat Williams (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States ISBN: 0-689-83923-5 City of Snow: The Great Blizzard of 1888 Linda Oatman High Illustrated by Laura Francesca Filippucci     Free verse tells the story of the entirely unexpected and devastating snowstorm in March of 1888 which immobilized New York City (and much of the East Coast though the book doesn't say). In spite of the weather, a young girl from a well-to-do family insists on viewing the famous Barnum circus and performs her chores religiously in order to sway her parents. As the family makes its way through the storm, they see "crushed storefronts/and sparrows frozen in snow,/blown and tangled telegraph wires." But the show does go on, even if it plays to a near-empty house. Later, text and pictures show this wealthy family going on cheerfully despite the hardships the storm must have wreaked on others less fortunate, making this version less frightening to children but also less balanced. Parts of this are informative, such as the pictures of carts carrying snow out of the city to be dumped into the river. But the pretty watercolor illustrations with pastel and ink highlights evoke little emotion or the drama of the event, and the characters stare blankly at the action. The hybrid text is mostly free verse, but occasional end rhymes suggest rhythmic poetry while skirting it at the same time: "It was only a few blocks/to Madison Square,/so I begged Papa for us to walk there." These often forced rhymes create some skewered syntax, such as "…the newspaper did assure." Young readers may be introduced to this event by this book and learn more about the storm in the author's note, but Jim Murphy's book for older children, Blizzard: The Storm that Changed America (Scholastic, 2000) truly fills in the gaps with more dramatic text, judiciously selected contemporary accounts, and primary source photographs. 2004, Walker, Ages 5 to 9, $16.95. Reviewer: Susan Hepler (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8027-8910-2 City Zoo Blizzard Revue Barbara Crispin Illustrated by Roswitha Houghton    Harsh weather threatens the critters in City Zoo Blizzard Revue. When the tigers, tropical birds and zebras can do nothing but shiver, the arctic animals--polar bear, penguin, seal and reindeer--decide to take charge. To attract paying customers, they call upon little-known talents. Soon the penguins are ice dancing, the seals juggling icicles and the reindeer behaving like the Rockettes. Of course, people flock to watch--and the zoo is saved. The director even adds a blizzard room so the show can continue throughout the year. Accompanied by Roswitha Houghton's engaging watercolors, this upbeat story will warm hearts on even the coldest day. 2003, Dancing Words Press, $14.95. Ages 3 to 6. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-97163-461-0 The Doctor's Boy: A Story about Valley Forge in the Winter of 1777-1778 Pamela Dell    This book is part of the "Scrapbooks of America" series and although it is historical fiction, the intriguing story of a fifteen-year-old surgeon's mate in the Continental army is based upon fact. The details of the suffering and hardships experienced by the troops serving with George Washington at Valley Forge are well documented. Living quarters had to be built so for the first month the men had little shelter from the harsh winter winds and snow. The surgeons and their mates were busy. Some of the men had frostbite, others suffered from injuries, and disease was prevalent. The descriptions of the amputations and bloodletting done while attempting to save lives are chilling and the bravery and steadfastness of the soldiers and their leader, General Washington, is impressive. Young students will be interested in the story of the surgeon's mate, who is viewed with suspicion by one of the doctors while being encouraged by others. They will be surprised when the mate is found out. Eleazor Portis is in truth Eleanor Portis, a young girl disguised as a male so she would be allowed to work with the Army Medical Corps. Suggested activities, a timeline, glossary and information for further study are included. 2004, Tradition Books, $27.07. Ages 9 to 12. Reviewer: Carolyn Mott Ford (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-59187-043-7 Extreme Snowboarding Bobbie Kalman and Kelley MacAulay     For any young snowboarder, this book is packed with good information. As with most of the books in the "Extreme Sports: No Limits" series, the information and graphics provide a tremendous learning tool for snowboarders. Kalman and MacAulay begin by providing the history of the sport. With illustrations and photographs they break down the sport to its operating components: gear, course and rider. No library in ski country should be without this book for their elementary and middle school readers. Proper slope etiquette is a focal point. The book also explains the different snowboarding events such as slalom, freestyle and half-pipe competitions. The end of the book gives readers a look into the lives of some of the best boarders out there today. A must read for any snow sport enthusiast. Photographs and illustrations enhance the great information provided in this book. A glossary and index are also provided. 2004, Crabtree Publishing Company, Ages 8 to 16, $6.95. Reviewer: John D. Orsborn (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7787-1718-6 February Robyn Brode As with the other books in the "Months of the Year" series, Brode introduces young readers to some of the characteristics, events and activities in the month of February. First, readers learn that it is the second month of the year and the shortest in terms of the number of days. Most years it has 28, but every fourth year it has 29 and that is called a leap year. February is a winter month and in certain parts of the country can be quite cold while in others it may be rainy. On February 14th, we celebrate Valentines Day by giving each other cards and sometimes gifts. It has also been designated as Black History month when kids can learn about famous African Americans. President's Day is also celebrated in February--two of our great presidents--Abraham Lincoln and George Washington were born in this month. The month of February is followed by March, which means that it will soon be spring. Throughout the text, there are pages of full-color photographs showing kids engaged in many of the activities described. A calendar showing the months of the year and the seasons wraps up the text. Some of the pages have rhetorical questions, which, rather than making it interactive, take away from the book. There is a three-word glossary. 2003, Weekly Reader, $18.60. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-83683-577-8 ISBN: 0-83683-613-8 First Snow Emily Arnold McCully    There has been a big snowfall and the little mice children are going to go sledding with Grandma and Grandpa. They all get into red truck and drive to the big hill, stopping to slide on the ice and to build a snowman, of course. Then it is time to climb the hill and to start sledding. It is such a long way down and someone has to go first. At last one brave mouse child sets off down the hill and soon the hill is covered with flying sleds and the air full of screams of "Wheeee!" At the bottom of the hill they realize that someone is missing. Bitty is still at the top, afraid to sled down the steep hill. Will she be able to overcome her fears and have some fun like the other mice children? In this wonderful re-release of her 1985 book the author has added some new words and pictures to create a delightful book which will surely be a firm and much loved favorite with young children who have their own little fears and who are always comforted to know that they are not the only ones who are afraid of steep hills or monsters under the bed. 2004, HarperCollins, $15.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber (Children's Literature).    Caldecott Medalist Emily Arnold McCully gives us a revised version of her 1985 First Snow. It is produced in a larger format, with the addition of some new pictures. She has also added words to this edition--superfluous, as it turns out, since the simple sentences ("The road is icy." "Who will go first?") are self evident, their meaning already contained within the illustrations. But McCully's little story of the sledding expedition of a large family of mice children and their grandparents still retains its original charm. Her pen-and-ink and watercolor spreads catch the joy of snow-covered, hilly fields being conquered by exuberant little ones. Her winter sunset is chillingly lovely. And her exhausted mice-children falling asleep over their suppers of hot soup will stir up fond memories in adult readers, too. 2004, HarperCollins, $15.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-623852-8 ISBN: 0-06-623853-6 Frosty the Snowman Steve Nelson and Jack Rollins Illustrated by Richard Cowdrey    The words to the holiday song, composed in 1950, are illustrated here with soft winter blues and a style reminiscent of Norman Rockwell. Cowdrey effectively uses varying perspectives and angles that draw the reader's eye to Frosty. The oversized book seems to envelop the reader in this fantasy of a snowman who has come to life. The children join him as he rides on old-fashioned sleds, makes snow angels, and runs "down the streets of town." There is a wonderful two-page spread where a surprised policeman looks at Frosty and hollers, "Stop!" Blue endpapers with white text provide the tune and the two verses of the song. Parents and children just might find themselves singing the words or humming the tune. The cheerful, upbeat innocence of a time past pervades the book. 2003, Grosset & Dunlap, $9.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-448-43199-8 Goodbye to Griffith Street Marilynn Reynolds Illustratiions by Renné Benoit     Young John must cope with a situation all too common today. His parents are divorcing, and he and his mother are moving away from the small mining town where his father works. On the day before they are to leave, John says goodbye to his friends and familiar places. He hugs his father before he leaves for the night shift because he won't see him again before he goes. That night snow falls. John awakes early enough to do what he has always wanted to do, be the first to make a mark in the new snow. As a parting gift, he makes snow angels and stars for his friends and neighbors, and a special farewell for his father before the taxi comes to take them away. There is a sweet sadness in this simple story, an emotion appropriately visualized by Benoit in full and double-page scenes painted in tones of grays and browns as if all the other colors had been sucked out of John's life. The naturalistic paintings describe a drab mining community enlivened by the fresh coating of snow. John's pleasure in creating his artistic gifts is clear in his actions; we can enjoy them in a birds-eye view before the end farewell. 2004, Orca Book Publishers, Ages 4 to 8, $16.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-55143-285-4 Ice Palace Deborah Blumenthal Illustrated by Ted Rand    A young girl and her father work with a town committee in the village of Saranac Lake, planning for the annual winter carnival. Despite the cold, blocks of ice are cut for a grand ice palace. The men who work on it come from the local minimum security prison. For ten days the races, parade, celebrating go on, climaxed by a fireworks display. It turns out that our narrator's Uncle Mike is one of the prisoners, all of whom seem to take pride in and enjoy their participation. The text evokes the beauty, the excitement, and the good memories left after the palace itself has melted away. Rand's double-page watercolor and acrylic scenes describe the process naturalistically so that we can easily follow the workers step by step. His esthetic sensibilities help him infuse each painting with the appropriate emotions: joy in planning, power in cutting the ice, quiet satisfaction at the completion of the castle, pleasure in the celebration. With few contextual details, the pictures focus on the characters and the actions. A note explains the background and details of the traditional winter carnival in Saranac Lake. 2003, Clarion Books/Houghton Mifflin Company, $16.00. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Syliva Marantz (Children's Literature).    This story describes the process of planning the annual Winter Carnival held in the village of Saranac Lake, New York. Each year, a work crew comprised of local citizens and inmates from the nearby correctional institute come together to carve huge blocks of ice out of the lake to create an ice palace that sets the stage for the games, races, and other activities that define the event. Told from the perspective of a young girl whose uncle is a prison inmate who helps in the building process, the story describes not only the necessary work that goes into the planning of the carnival but the impact on those involved as well. As the prisoners are released each day to work on the palace, the narrator is certain that they learn to appreciate life in a way that helps them feel better about who they are despite their current condition. Uncle Mike, she is sure, comes away feeling a sense of pride, and the community members learn to appreciate the prisoners as men who can contribute meaningfully to the creation of a better life for all. The illustrations (watercolor and acrylic paint) capture the warmth of the event despite the cold temperatures they portray. The premise is a bit unusual, and the author's attempts to address several issues of political correctness (from the reform of prison inmates to global warming) feel overly didactic at times. Interesting but not likely to engage many readers. 2003, Clarion Books, $16.00. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Wendy Glenn, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson ISBN: 0-6181-5960-6 Icy Antarctic Waters Wendy Pfeffer    This book is one of a five-volume series, "Living on the Edge," written about animals living in extreme environments and the adaptations that enable them to survive. "Lack of food and shelter" and "blustery, icy winds make it difficult for anything to stay alive" in the Antarctic. But even in this hostile region, Emperor penguins, minke whales, Weddell seals and other animals thrive. While most birds migrate north to warmer climates during the Antarctic's winter months, Emperor penguins live there all year round. Oily feathers waterproof their bodies and soft woolly down underneath acts like thermal underwear. Like minke whales and Weddell seals, penguins' bodies are insulated by a thick layer of blubber. Weddell seals spend the winter under the Antarctic ice sheet. To get air, they gnaw holes in the thick ice--holes that they must keep open all winter long, otherwise they would drown. The Antarctic waters are also home to crab-eater seals, Antarctic starfish, killer whales and pale ice fish whose blood contains sugars and proteins that, like antifreeze, keeps it from freezing. Every page is illustrated with vivid photographs showing these animals interacting with their frigid world. "Find Out More" pages at the end of the volume list books, magazine articles and Web sites for interested readers. This is a well-written and extremely informative book that would be an excellent addition to school and classroom libraries and a great choice for every child who loves animals. 2003, Benchmark Books/Marshall Cavendish, $24.21. Ages 7 to 10. Reviewer: Anita Barnes Lowen (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Books for Children, 2003; Science Books & Films; United States ISBN: 0-7614-1438-X It Feels Like Snow Nancy Cote    It all starts one day when Alice's toe begins to throb. She knows this is a sign of snow, and so Alice warns her neighbors, Etta and Greta Grillo. Alice goes to buy a snow shovel, but the Grillo sisters do not believe her, and they are unprepared when the snow comes. Several days later, Alice's nose begins to tingle. She knows this, too, is a sign of snow, and she warns her neighbor, Mr. Bean ... and so it goes. Each time Alice gets a physical sign that snow is on the way, she tells someone who does not believe her, and Alice prepares for snow while they don't. When the worst snow comes, Alice and her friends are reunited with warm food in front of a cozy fire at Alice's house and all is well. Young and old readers alike should enjoy this somewhat silly tale of snow and skepticism. Cote's illustrations involve not only the human inhabitants of Alice's world, but also the animal; readers are sure to chuckle at the picture of Alice's cow snuggling under a blanket during the final big snow. 2003, Boyds Mills Press, $15.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Heidi Hauser Green (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States ISBN: 1-59078-054-X January Robyn Brode    As with the other books in the "Months of the Year" series, Brode introduces young readers to some of the characteristics, events and activities in the month of January. First, readers learn that it is the first month of the year and that it has 31 days. January is a winter month and in certain parts of the country can be quite cold. January 1st is a big holiday--New Year's Day. Even with different calendars such as the Chinese one, there is a New Year's Day that is celebrated with a big parade. Most kids are back in school after a winter break. During this month, there is a holiday named after Martin Luther King, Jr. who dedicated his adult life to equality among people. The month of January is followed by February, another very cold winter month. Throughout the text, there are pages of full-color photographs showing kids engaged in many of the activities described. A calendar showing the months of the year and the seasons wraps up the text. Some of the pages have rhetorical questions, which, rather than making it interactive, take away from the book. There is a three-word glossary. 2003, Weekly Reader, $18.60. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-83683-576-X ISBN: 0-83683-612-X Maroo of the Winter Caves Ann Turnbull    On the twentieth anniversary of its publication, the story of Maroo and her family's survival during the end of the Ice Age is as compelling and universally appealing as ever. Maroo and her family make their way to the sea for the summer. Along the way they pick up Rivo, an injured wild dog that they tame. Summer by the sea is wonderful. But by waiting for the birth of Maroo's baby sister, they delay too long before leaving for the winter caves. Then, disaster strikes on their return journey. Maroo's father is killed and her uncle is seriously injured in a hunt. Shortage of food and the onset of winter threaten the survival of the remaining family, so Maroo and her brother must set out alone to get help. Maroo's courage and love for her family enable her to cross the Pass of the Sprits, frighten the lion with fire and even head on without her brother after he disappears in the snow. She manages to get help just in time and her brother makes it home with the help of Rivo, the dog. Despite the old-fashioned "narrator" style of writing, the struggle that Maroo's family faces is a true classic. 2004 (orig. 1984), Clarion Books, $15.00. Ages 8 to 12. Reviewer: Moira Rose Donohue (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-6184-3408-9 ISBN: 0-6184-4299-5 Martin MacGregor's Snowman Lisa Broadie Cook Illustrations by Adam McCauley    The title character of this goofy, entertaining read is single-minded in his quest to build the perfect snowman. Trouble is, there is no snow that winter. Martin tries other media, including shaving cream, mashed potatoes, bubble bath and flour, but ends up with messes--plus trips to his cooling-off chair, his room or the principal's office. Cook's depiction of a kid with a serious passion is dead-on; Martin wants only to realize his dream, and he can't understand why everyone gets so worked up about his failures. McCauley's mixed-media illustrations are cartoonish in the best sense of the world, calling to mind offbeat `toons like "Dexter's Laboratory" and "Invader Zim." Readers might recognize McCauley's work from two Jon Scieszka books, Viking It And Liking It and See You Later, Gladiator. (Too bad the book jacket misspells Scieszka's first name, though. You would think they would be more likely to mess up his last name.) 2003, Walker & Company, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Donna Freedman (Children's Literature). State and Provincial Reading Lists: Emphasis on Reading, 2004-2005; Nominee; Grades K-1; Alabama ISBN: 0-8027-8859-9 ISBN: 0-8027-8858-0 Names for Snow Judi K. Beach Illustrated by Loretta Krupinski    A young rabbit asks his mother what snow is. She begins with calling it Welcome in November. Then it is Sheet when it covers garden beds. Her other meanings include Wings of White Butterflies, Kitten, Lace, Eyelet, Mother, Magician, Prayer, Harmonica, Tickle, Tradition, Trickster, and Friend. Each double page spread contains only one line of text. The beauty of the book is in the illustrations. Delightful rabbits dressed in colorful overcoats, warm hats, and mittens frolic through the pages admiring the lovely snow scenes. Some pages feature borders around the text portraying active snow adventures, such as sledding, skating, and dancing. Young children and their parents will enjoy sharing the quiet charm of the book. 2003, Hyperion, $16.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Phyllis Kennemer, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7868-1937-5 Now It Is Winter Eileen Spinelli Illustrated by Mary Newell DePalma     This dialog of questions and answers between a mother mouse and her child is a fine poetic companion for the winter nights when spring seems far away. Each question recalls some delight of spring from blackberries and cream and rolling down grassy hills to flying kites and enjoying night breezes. "Will spring ever come...Ever again?" asks the child. The mother replies that all those things will come again. But meanwhile, winter offers its own rewards, from oatmeal for breakfast and sledding downhill to ice-dancing on the frozen pond and making a snowman. Charming anthropomorphic mice are fashionably dressed for the winter outdoor activities, and then in attractive flannel pajamas. DePalma exploits the double pages to describe an indoor underground stage sparsely set, a cross-section of some sanctuary; her acrylic paints combine with huge cut paper snowflakes create an inviting snowy landscape just right for sliding or making snow angels. 2004, Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, Ages 3 to 6, $16.00. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).     Though his family welcomes snow, a young mouse yearns for spring. He wants blackberries and cream, dandelions and daisies. His patient mother points out the beauty of his frozen surroundings: the napping snow angels, sleet-sprinkled roof, sled-happy hill. "Hush, child," she finally says. "Spring will come all pink sky and breezes. But now .... you are cozy in your flannel pajamas." Emphasizing the pleasures of each season, Now It Is Winter recalls Ecclesiastes 3:1 ("To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."). Appropriately for a young audience, author Eileen Spinelli grounds her lyrical descriptions in a child's world. And Mary Newell DePalma adds wit and whimsy with her acrylic-and-cut-paper artwork. 2004, Eerdmans, Ages 3 up, $16.00. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8028-5244-0 One Winter's Night John Herman Illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon    Two tales are told here of that one winter's night, in the illustrations on the facing pages. Filling one side of the first double page is poor Martha, a young pregnant cow, lost as the snow begins to fall. As it clears and a star begins to shine, she finds a small shed. Inside she is comforted by a man and his pregnant wife. As the cold, dark night passes, a calf and a baby are born: "'...two glorious babies on one winter's night,' the man said. And he smiled at Mary beside him." Meanwhile, on the facing text pages throughout are small, monochrome pictures which follow the couple through the falling snow to the shed and depict the assorted animals that accompany them. These scenes have the look of linoleum cuts for a simplicity of the visual narration. The naturalistic, full color, watercolor and pastel illustrations of Martha's journey have a spiritual feeling, lit by the special star and made soft by the heavy snowfall, for a humanistic interpretation of the old Christmas story. 2003, Philomel Books/ Penguin Putnam Books for Young Readers, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature).    On the right-hand pages a large black and white cow seeks shelter as snowflakes fall more and more thickly. Martha is pregnant; she hopes to find a warm barn and human help. When the snow stops, an extra-bright star in the darkening sky leads Martha across the snowy landscape to a small shed where a donkey and a young man and woman are sheltering. On the left side of each spread, smaller illustrations reminiscent of woodcuts show the parallel journey of the young couple. As Martha begins to give birth, the man, whose name we now learn is Joseph, comforts her, but soon his pregnant wife needs him, too. We are not shown her delivery, merely told that a small cry signals the birth of Mary's son, just as Martha brings forth her calf. The Dillons use watercolor and pastel to present the cow, the young couple, and the winter landscape (definitely not Bethlehem) with rounded, heightened realism. The smaller woodcut-like pictures achieve distance and focus more on the legendary story, as reindeer and other animals approach the shed, with the star shining above and three tiny figures riding in from the left. Some might say that this tale looks at the nativity from a universal perspective; others might object that the cow and calf are more important than the baby Jesus. Still, the simple, gentle story emphasizing the kinship of all creatures may be welcome in families of faith as a contrast to more traditional nativity tales. 2003, Philomel, $16.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature). Best Books: Best Children's Books of the Year, 2004; Bank Street College of Education; United States ISBN: 0-399-2341-8 Oscar and Arabella; Hot, Hot, Hot Neal Layton    Would there really have been hot summers with thousands of bright plants during the last Ice Age? So claims the author and he writes a book based on this premise. Two woolly mammoths, big-eared Oscar with short straight tusks and Arabella with long curled tusks, enjoy the ice, snow, and arctic winds of winter, but they have a hard time coping with the summer because of their allergies and their heavy coats. Insects, dust, and lack of shade accompany the increasing heat one particularly miserable summer. The mammoths try fanning themselves with leaves and jumping into a lake, but their tactics are futile. Oscar's patented scissors, however, save the day. Not only do the two mammoths cut each other's hair but they also give all the other animals haircuts too. The illustrations, using mixed media, including pencils, paint, ink, and markers, are simply but effectively drawn with humor. Showing how the mammoths would have experienced the change of seasons, the colors and pictures of the hot summer make you feel uncomfortable while the cold winters look like fun. When winter returns to the shorn animals, all of them, except one freezing cave man, grow their coats back. A brief "Ice Age Facts" page tells kids what's real and what's made up in the story, but a backup reference for the claim that "seasons in the Ice Age were much like ours" seems called for. 2004 (orig. 2003), Candlewick Press, $15.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Carol Raker , Ph.D. (Children's Literature).    Oscar and Arabella, woolly mammoths living long ago in the Ice Age, really enjoy the long, cold winters. They find summers full of irritating colorful plants, insects, and dust. One summer just seems to keep getting hotter and hotter. They cannot find a way to cool off. They finally decide to give each other a haircut. The other animals do the same. When winter returns, the animals' hair grows back, with one exception, a character never mentioned in the text at all, but a continuing humorous presence throughout. The zany story needs illustrations to contrast with the straightforward text. Very scratchy black lines and casually applied paints create an odd pair of creatures in only the vaguest of settings. Marginal cartoon-like drawings invoke the odd human who eventually tries to join the other sketchy, appealing animals. There's a child-like innocence to the pictures that adds significantly to their appeal. Before the title page we are shown a hand with finger pointing to the earth in its positions around the sun, while on the jacket and the title page, the title words are on fire. "Ice Age Facts" at the end offer brief information about that time period, along with assurances that the combs, mirrors and scissors pictured are "made up." Layton obviously enjoys "kidding." 2004 (orig. 2003), Candlewick Press, $15.99. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7636-2148-X Out on the Ice In the Middle of the Bay Peter Cumming Illustrations by Alice Priestley     Originally published in 1993, this "Special 10th Anniversary Edition" recounts the adventures of a little girl and a polar bear. Written by a Canadian poet and playwright who once lived in the Arctic, the book has a dreamlike, reassuring lyricism to it. When the child wanders away from her house and napping father, she encounters a baby polar bear, also on his own. The element of danger is heightened when the father grabs a gun and races out to search for his daughter. A shot is fired, but no one is hurt. The two stories--the young bear's and the young girl's--end happily when each is reunited with a parent. This poetic tale with its Artic winter and Inuit setting is beautifully illustrated in colored-pencil drawings. These illustrations may serve to soften the story of a girl alone and in danger, which might prove frightening to young children. 2004, Annick Press, Ages 4 to 8, $19.95. Reviewer: Augusta Scattergood (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-55037-871-6 Pigaroons Arthur Geisert     Every year there is an Ice Festival along the river. For this, the River Patrollers on Porcine Ridge always cut a block of crystal-clear ice to carve their sculpture, which usually wins first prize. This annoys the Pigaroons from across the river who, true to their pirate ancestors, steal the block of ice this year, hoping to carve a winner. The River Patrollers carefully plan their revenge. After polishing a thin slab of ice, they sail it on their flying balloon to the festival, where the Pigaroons' statue of De Soto is proudly displayed. Focusing the sun through the ice, the River Patrollers melt De Soto away. They then burn a picture of him in the snow, winning first prize for their cleverness. Double-page scenes are filled with the details of the rival pig communities. The black etched lines create the delightful statues, contraptions, and elegant flying machine as well as scores of busy porkers. Delicately applied colors ad considerable appeal to the snowy landscapes. This is a charming, imaginative tale with strong visual appeal. The jacket illustration of the floating ship above the winter landscape is an appropriate introduction. 2004, Houghton Mifflin Company, Ages 4 to 8, $16.00. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-618-41058-9 Polar Bear Night Lauren Thompson Pictures by Stephen Savage     If you are getting tired of reading Good Night Moon, you might want to try this book as a soothing bed time read. A young polar bear cub leaves his mother and their warm den to explore the moonlit night. She sees a walrus asleep; seals like floating statues are asleep in the water; and whales that are sleeping but still swimming. As the cub travels she finally sees a glorious sight-a star shower. It wakes all of the sleeping animals and after she experiences the quiet beauty of a polar night, the little cub heads back to the cozy warmth of mother and their den. The linocuts are set on papers that reflect the cold of this northern region-blues, grays, tans, and dark greens but they have a wonderful texture. The mulberry bleached rice paper makes many of the scenes look like snowflakes are falling. It is a quiet, simple, gentle story, perfectly suited for snuggling up with your own little one just before a nap or settling down for the night. 2004, Scholastic, Ages 1 to 3, $15.95. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-439-49524-5 Rowan and the Ice-Creepers Emily Rodda    Rowan's people leave their village when winter threatens to destroy them all. Only Rowen and his friends decide to stay and determine why the winter has been so long and hard. Before leaving, the village wise woman imparts verses and a medallion to help Rowan on his quest. Further clues also lie in the silks that Rowan's friend Shaaran bears. On their way up the mountain, Rowan's party discovers that Ice Creepers, made strong by the long winter, are breeding and they must find a way to destroy them. Throughout the quest, Rowan is able to solve various problems through clues within the verses, but it is the bukshah (domestic animals kept by Rowan's people) that provide the final solution to the unending winter and the threat of the Ice Creepers. Rodda's story is packed with adventure and problem solving through intelligence rather than violence. 2003, Greenwillow, $15.99. Ages 12 up. Reviewer: Amie Rose Rotruck (Children's Literature). Best Books: Children's Catalog, Eighteenth Edition, Supplement, 2004; H.W. Wilson ISBN: 0-06-029780-8 ISBN: 0-06-029781-6 The Shortest Day; Celebrating the Winter Solstice Wendy Pfeffer Illustrated by Jesse Reisch    In a well-thought-out collection of ideas surrounding December 21 and the Winter Solstice, the author leads readers through what happens to the sun and why. Text then moves back in history to celebrations, measurements to assure onlookers that this happened predictably and that the sun would return just as predictably. She also mentions historical celebrants, such as the Druids and Incas, along with modern solstice celebrations, such as St. Lucia's Day in Sweden, and the holiday when people exchange gifts and hang stockings (but not named here). Back pages include an interesting and useful variety of ideas, from more facts about the solstice with explanatory diagrams, four projects that teachers, parents, and adults who work with children would find fresh, and two "cooking" activities, one for a human party and one for an avian one. Further reading and two websites are also included. It would take someone a while to work through the content in this easy-to-read book just because there is so much information and the some of the activities are done over time--right for studying the sun and the earth's motion over time. Reisch's richly colored pencil and pastel artwork present a cozy view of interiors and a warmth to the frozen outdoor scenes that give the content a kindly look. 2003, Dutton, $16.99. Ages 6 to 10. Reviewer: Susan Hepler, Ph.D. (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-525-46968-0 Snow Marion Dane Bauer Illustrated by John Wallace    Snow is a "Level One, Ready-to-Read" book. The stage is set; winter is cold, trees have lost their leaves and the grass is brown. The sky is full of gray clouds. Ice crystals cling together with dust. When they are heavy enough, they fall. Snowflakes are small when it is very cold. Warmer temperatures mean larger, softer snowflakes. Sometimes you can catch a snowflake on your tongue. It's fun to spend time out in the snow and skate or just take a walk. Each snowflake has six sides and snowflakes come in a billion different shapes. In the spring the snow melts into the rivers and lakes. The illustrations are very sweet--light and airy watercolor paintings that work especially well with the subject matter. The text is large and the sentence structure simple for early readers. Numerous facts about snow are included at the end of the book. Despite what we have heard for years, researcher Nancy Knight did find two snowflakes that were exactly alike. 2003, Aladdin, $3.99. Ages 3 to 8. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-689-85437-4 ISBN: 0-689-85436-6 Snow Alice K. Flanagan    Snow falls from the clouds when it is cold outside. Snow is a drop of water that turns into ice in the air. When it snows and there are high winds, it is a storm. Snow acts like a blanket to keep plants and animals safe and warm during the winter. When snow melts, it drains into rivers and streams. It is fun to play in the snow. This Level One reader is part of the "Wonder Books" series designed to help young children learn to read while reading to learn. This is part of a new emphasis on nonfiction material in all levels of reading development. The text is very large and each page contains no more than two sentences, most pages just have one. A photograph illustrates each page of text. The photographs range from very straightforward to more offbeat. Children are included in many of the photographs; however, the image quality is not consistent. Many of the photographs are adequate, but not exceptional. A glossary of new words is included. 2003, The Child's World, $14.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Kristin Harris (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-5676-6453-9 The Snow Ghosts Leo Landry D   escribes the daily activities of the snow ghosts who live in the far north. They try to catch snowflakes with their ghostly tongues, and have snowball fights. They try to play with the polar bears and have snowman building contests. One of their favorite things to do is dance in the light of the winter moon. The simple, straightforward text is accompanied by Landry's minimalist illustrations in watercolor, pen and ink. There is a childlike playfulness to these illustrations in winter blue, white and an occasional yellow.. The book is small, and the illustrations even smaller, and that will appeal to many preschoolers. Whimsical and imaginative, even a little quirky with its idea of triangular shaped "snow ghosts." However, if you've ever lived in the far north and seen lots of swirling snow, or even a snow-covered person walking toward you in a blizzard, then perhaps the idea isn't that far-fetched. 2003, Houghton Mifflin, $9.95. Ages 4 to 7. Reviewer: Sharon Salluzzo (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-618-19655-2 Snow Music Lynne Rae Perkins    Snow music comes with the falling of night snow. The author paints a peaceful, gentle tale here, one readers will love! Characters slip silently through the nighttime hours until dawn. A wintry day blanketed with fresh snow awaits a young boy. The boy peers into the snowy softness. That is when a problem develops. His dog scampers out the open door to explore on its own. The answer is for the boy, and a friend, to explore the snow and search for the dog. Some pages hold snow tracks made by a bird, a deer, and a bushy tailed squirrel. Their activities and the text hold ideas to think about. And then new tracks appear; they are the tracks of the boy and his friend make stamping through the snowy softness. A musical staff illustrated with the dog's breath huffs and the jingles of its collar tags add to the snow music. So do the poot, poot sounds of a frosty car driving through the snow. Snow sounds of the sanding truck play out against the other tracks. Cold, hungry boys, without the dog, go home to eat. Only the reader is apprised of the situation, which shows the dog right under the window of its own home. The day rolls on and the boys head back to the outside world of melting snow. Soon they find the dog. Snow music lingers. Again it begins to snow. We know what will happen. More snow music! This delightful book is one worthy of many reads. 2003, Greenwillow Books/HarperCollins Publishers, $15.99. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature).    In the night it snowed while everyone was asleep. With a soft "peth, peth, peth" it came down, "singing a silent song" and now in the bright sunshine there is a deep hush over the houses and trees. Then the boy gets up and opens the door to look out, and before he has a chance to stop him his dog has dashed out the door. There is a pause as we watch the woodland creatures in the snow; the little bird, the deer, and a squirrel looking for something it buried a while ago. Then we join the boy again as he goes out to look for his dog. He meets his friend and we watch them walk across the snow together, splashes of color, red and green and blue. Then the music begins with the jingle of that wayward dog's collar as he runs across the snow, followed by the muffled sound of music coming from a car radio as it drives past on the road. The day unfolds with more music and more story, bit by bit, gently uncurling. In this unique book the reader is invited to watch and observe a small moment in time, to look and to listen to a boy and his dog, and to look at the wild creatures and what they are doing. The artwork is drawn in such a way that it is as if the reader is standing on some high point looking down at the scene, seeing everything from the outside, and it is only at the end of the book that we find ourselves looking at something that makes us ask even more questions. A fascinating and delightful book. 2003, Greenwillow Books, $15.99. Ages 3 up. Reviewer: Marya Jansen-Gruber (Children's Literature). Best Books: Bulletin Blue Ribbons, 2003; Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books; United States The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States Choices, 2004; Cooperative Children's Book Center; United States Kirkus Book Review Stars, 2003; United States Publishers Weekly Book Review Stars, October 27, 2003; Cahners; United States Awards, Honors, Prizes: Boston Globe--Horn Book Awards Honor Book 2004 Picture Book United States Charlotte Zolotow Award Highly Commended 2004 United States ISBN: 0-06-623956-7 ISBN: 0-06-623958-3 The Snow Princess Ruth Sanderson     Want a cozy read-aloud for chilly nights? The Snow Princess is an exquisite choice. In this original fairy tale, based on an opera and set in old Russia, the child of Father Frost and Mother Spring sets off to see the world. Her parents warn that caring for humans will bring her death; but the young woman knows her heart, by nature, is cold. But in befriending and finally rescuing a young shepherd, she discovers her own gift for love. Author/illustrator Ruth Sanderson uses words and images to masterful effect. Initially, pictures are rendered in cool tones: blue, gray, black. As the story continues, the oil paintings begin to glow with greater color and warmth, in keeping with the Snow Princess's blossoming love. 2004, Little Brown, Ages 6 up, $16.99. Reviewer: Mary Quattlebaum (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-316-77982-2 Snowboard Twist Jean Craighead George Illustrations by Wendell Minor    The "Outdoor Adventures" series has included Cliff Hanger and Fire Storm; this new addition brings young readers a snowy encounter with an avalanche. After a heavy snowfall in the Teton Mountains, Dag, a snow patrol officer, checks the Glory Bowl for signs of avalanche danger. When all seems safe, his son Axel and the boy's friend Kelley can't resist showing off their snowboarding technique, with Grits (described as "the action-loving dog") romping in the powder. A startled bluejay dips its wing in the snow, starting a snowball rolling and falling, which opens a dangerous crack in the snow near Kelley. How Dag and Grits cope with the resulting avalanche provides a brief, but cautionary tale that's not quite as exciting as its opening promises. George's text offers short sentences and a rather didactic tone, along with a sentimental ending making Grits the hero of the day. Intended for early or perhaps unsophisticated middle readers (the children appear to be nine or ten), the story presents information on avalanches and snow conditions, but isn't really very exciting. Minor's pictures are attractive, bright, and realistic, with lots of snow slopes and pine trees, ending with a portrait of the furry, reddish canine hero. Hardly the "gripping tale" described on the flap, this story may appeal most to children already familiar with snowboarding or those who find it well-suited to their level of reading accomplishment. 2004, HarperCollins, Ages 6 to 10, $16.89. Reviewer: Barbara L. Talcroft (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-050596-6 Snowboarding for Fun! Beth Gruber    Do you know what catching air means? Have you ever shredded a snowy hill? Have you gotten up extra early so you could go out on a winter day and be the first to see the dust on the crust? If you are somewhat confused by this language, pick up Beth Gruber's Snowboarding for Fun and learn about the "lingo" of a relatively new sport. Developed only about thirty-five years ago, snowboarding combines the basic ride of skateboarding with the speed and agility of skiing. Snowboarding is a sport that continues to evolve in terms of its demands, techniques, and clientele. In this illustrated book author Gruber follows the format used in the broader "Sports for Fun" series of which it is a part. Gruber concisely presents the basic history of snowboarding, key techniques, the vocabulary of the sport, and its organization. She also touches upon the safety factors to keep in mind when undertaking so fast-paced an outdoor activity as snowboarding. All in all, this is a book that will provide interesting insights into a sport that is very appealing to outdoor activists with a wintertime bent. 2004, Compass Point Books, $21.76. Ages 8 to 10. Reviewer: Greg M. Romaneck (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-7565-0489-9 The Snowflake Sisters J. Patrick Lewis Illustrated by Lisa Desimini    Ivory and Crystal, the snowflake twins, have an adventurous life. The first snowfall finds them falling from a cloud to a group of children playing in the snow, but they soon move on to ride along on Santa's sleigh and twirl over people standing in Time's Square on New Year's Eve. They finally come to rest in Central Park on the shoulder of a snowman. They spend the winter there and worry as they begin to melt when spring comes, but are reassured by the departing winter that they will be back next year. The color illustrations appear to be constructed from fabric scraps and colored paper, which create an interesting effect that is very appealing. The illustrations of New York City neighborhoods are constructed of maps of the city as well as magazines and newspapers from New York. The rhyming story and the repetitive words will appeal to early readers, and also make this book an excellent story-time and bedtime story book. 2003, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $16.95. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Danielle Williams (Children's Literature).    Transitioning from Christmas to New Year's Eve, then with a fast-forward to spring, this fetching work will capture the attention of all who open its covers. Collage artwork in picture books seems to be the rage these days and this story gives credence to its popularity. Intricate patterns enhance the captivating rhythm of snowflake sisters, Crystal and Ivory, on their journey across a Winter sky, stowing away on Santa's sleigh, flying through Manhattan and finally settling on a Snow Boy in Central Park. Desimini's choice of medium for each object is indeed a clever craft itself--a crossword puzzle for a department store, a bus schedule that really is a bus, pieces of a map, stock pages from the New York Times are skyscrapers representing the financial district. It's even fun to look for items on each page, from the listing Of what Santa has left, looking for Crystal and Ivory on every page to counting the shades of twilight until New Year's Eve. Lewis' choice of rhyming words is a delight in and of itself. Poetry-challenged readers and those who detest poetry will find themselves immersed in the imagery presented in his verse. A winning, welcome, winter work. 2003, Atheneum Books for Young Readers, $16.95. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Elizabeth Young (Children's Literature). Best Books: The Children's Literature Choice List, 2004; Children's Literature; United States ISBN: 0-689-85029-8 Snowman in Paradise Michael Roberts     Our snowman protagonist's tale begins in the grim days after Christmas, told in the sprightly rhyming pattern of "'Twas The Night Before Christmas." Folks in town have fled the icy city for warmer climes, while the snowman sighs, "Oh, why can't I travel-do things that I oughta-Instead of becoming a puddle of water?" Luckily a magical bluebird hears his complaint and sends him off, flying first class, to a tropical isle, assuring him that he won't melt. There he has months of a vacation until the time for the Warriors' Pre-Christmas Feast, when the need for ice for their drinks seems to mean the snowman's end. So back he hurries to cold Manhattan, bringing with him magical flowers to cover the city and also finding himself a new home for Christmas. Cut papers in this artist's hands are employed to design delightfully attractive pages dominated by the exuberant snowman. Check the back of the paper dust jacket to see a brilliantly patterned Christmas wrapping paper design. Under the jacket, the cover has no words, only an allover attractive design of bright flowers and tiny snowmen which is repeated on the end-papers. The illustrations emphasize the decorative possibilities of both the city's tall buildings and the varying plant patterns of the tropics. This is a visual tonic for the gray days of winter designed by a master. 2004, Chronicle Books, Ages 4 to 9, $16.95. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-8118-4264-9 Snowtime Fun Illustrated by Melanie Mitchell    A soft felt cover with an appliqué snowman invites young children to cuddle up with a book. Follow a boy as he explains just what winter means to him. "Icy fingers and cold toes. Licking snowflakes off my nose! When it's freezing I like to skate! Doing jumps and figure eights." Simple rhyming text and colorful illustrations are set upon a snowflake border. Follow the joyful boy and his friends through several winter activities. Sturdy board construction is just right for tiny hands. 2003, Little Simon/Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing, $6.99. Ages 2 to 5. Reviewer: Laura Hummel (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-689-85391-2 Snow-walker Catherine Fisher    The latest import from Catherine Fisher-who lives in Wales, which hasn't hurt her storytelling abilities-is this Norse fantasy trilogy presented in one volume. With evocative verse-snippets from Norse poems and Beowulf setting the stage for each chapter, Fisher plunges into her believable saga of power and treachery northern style. Book One introduces the self-possessed heroine Jessa, fighting for the return of her ancestral lands with a vengeance. Gudrun-the snow-walker of the title, and a most marvelous villainess-banishes Jessa and her cousin Thorkil to the far north where they discover Kari, the snow-walker's abandoned son. Books Two and Three follow Jessa, Kari, and their stalwart friends as they fight Gudrun's curses in an attempt to bring peace to the land. The red herring in the first book is a bit transparent, but the following stories make up for that lack as they plunge ahead through lands blighted by ice, snow, and never-ending winter. Fisher's strength lies in her descriptive powers. Her snow feels cold. She's done her early Norse research, too. The villages, the Jarlshold, the shamans-all have the ring of truth about them, making this book more like a step into the Nordic past than just another fantasy. 2004, Greenwillow, Ages 10 up, $18.89. Reviewer: Kathleen Karr (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-072475-7 Under My Hood I Have a Hat Karla Kuskin Illustrated by Fumi Kosaka    This amusing poem is one that speaks directly to the world of the child, and it has been taken from Kuskin's collection The Rose on My Cake and brought to life with Kosaka's whimsical illustrations. The text is printed, a few words per page, in large type. A young girl describes all the layers she is wearing as she takes them off piece by piece. She then takes a break on a wordless double page, sharing a snack with her dog. Then more layers are added, until she is ready to go outside in the snow. But she "must not fall because/ I can't get up at all." Youngsters in cold climates in particular will respond to the outlined figures, softly colored and placed in isolation on solid color backgrounds, displaying the immobility they face in winter attire. The well-wrapped face here is presented with dot eyes and a linear mouth. The end-papers add a brief visual note. 2004 (orig. 1964), Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 to 6, $14.99 and $15.89. Reviewers: Ken Marantz and Sylvia Marantz (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-057242-6 ISBN: 0-06-057243-4 When Washington Crossed the Delaware: A Wintertime Story for Young Patriots Lynne Cheney Illustrations by Peter M. Fiore     Washington's famed crossing of the Delaware is a treasured part of American history that gets a beautifully packaged presentation here. It's undeniably cheering in a dark and discouraging world to read of Washington's bold and daring maneuver to surprise the enemy and save the hopes of his struggling young country. Cheney's account, meticulously documented, is a bit flat in its narration. While each page includes a stirring quotation from a historical source, it would have been stronger to have integrated these directly into the text. Better to hear Martha Washington's grandson recounting that a watching officer, "horror-struck at the danger of his beloved commander, . . . drew his hat over his face that he might not see [Washington] die," than to hear Cheney's pedestrian report: "Once the two sides started firing, it seemed impossible that [Washington] would survive." The book in the end belongs to Fiore, whose large, dramatically composed paintings dominate each double-page spread with their own vivid retelling of this crucial turning point in American history. 2004, Simon & Schuster, All ages, $16.95. Reviewer: Claudia Mills (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-689-87043-4 Winter Terri DeGezelle Consultant, Joseph M. Moran    What is winter? Learn about the impact of winter in concise form. "Winter is the season between autumn and spring. In the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of winter is December 21 or 22. Winter lasts for three months. Winter is the coldest season of the year." As part of the "Seasons" series, this book like the others tells about people, animals, water, temperatures, and vegetation during one of the four changes in the year. The reason for seasonal changes is described and the differences in the two hemispheres are illustrated. Crisp color photographs accompany the text and inserts highlight "fun facts" that describe some record-breaking temperatures and snowfall. Vocabulary is explained as footnotes and in a glossary. An index, Web sites, and additional sources are included. A hands-on project that explains Earth's tilt in winter is also provided. DeGezelle's books would be helpful to introduce each new season to young children. 2003, Bridgestone Books/Capstone Press, $18.60. Ages 3 to 7. Reviewer: Laura Hummel (Children's Literature) ISBN: 0-7368-1412-4 Winter; Signs of the Season Around North America Mary Pat Finnegan Illustrated by Jeremy Schultz    Welcome to winter! With this book in the "Signs of the Season Around North America" series youngsters may learn about winter and what it has to offer in different parts of the continent. The challenging, informational nonfiction book also holds intriguing and interesting text written in easily-understandable language for the early reader. As readers traverse the continent, they will become aware of the comparisons and differences in the winter season. Fun facts are scattered throughout to pass along educational information. Illustrator Jeremy Schultz scores a perfect 10 with his simple, yet colorful and pertinent artwork. The bright colors alone present a rich experience with which children may relate. A winter-related activity adds to the fun and a simple glossary highlights five words from the text. A map of North America also depicts the areas covered. The only drawback may come from the text's beginning and ending question, which asks, "What happens in winter where you live?" As not all areas of the continent are covered, this question may leave young readers wondering why their area was missed, or it may cause teachers to not choose a book that does not cover their area. 2003, Picture Window Books, $21.26. Ages 4 to 8. Reviewer: Nancy Garhan Attebury (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-40480-001-8 Winter is for Snowflakes Michelle Knudsen Illustrated by Denise Fraifeld    Remember how much fun it was to make snowballs, snow angles, and snowmen? To go sledding really fast down a snowy hill? To catch snowflakes on your tongue? Then to come inside to take off the chill by warming up with a nice bowl of soup for an energy-boosting snack? For the winter-loving child in your life here is a book to snuggle up with and anticipate all the fun one is going to have when it's time for the snow to come to your neighborhood. Michelle Knudsen writes with such fun and energy. Her words are poetic with the sound of a joyful child playing in the snow. Denise Fraifeld's illustrations are cheerful and colorful, showing a heap of fun expressed on the little ones' faces. Children will love touching and looking at the glittery snowflakes on the front and back cover. 2003, Random House, $3.99. Ages 2 to 4. Reviewer: Lynda Dale MacLean (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-375-82215-1 Winter Walk Ann Burg Illustrated by Kelly Asbury    Just like most kids, this kitten is all dressed to venture outside in the snow. It is a cold day and he can see his breath in the air. Then he spies some twig-like tracks and follows them to a tree where an owl is resting. Other animals are having great fun on their sleds, but this young one has decided to build a ten foot tall snowman (I don't know how he accomplished that feat) and then does something simpler and more appropriate--making snow angels. There is more to this adventure and when it is finally all over, he heads inside for a warm drink by a crackling fire. A rather idealized view of a winter day and one with activities that little ones might not be able to undertake without supervision. 2003, HarperFestival/HarperCollins, $5.99. Ages 2 to 4. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-009742-6 Winter's Gift Jane Monroe Donovan Illustrations by Jane Monroe Donovan     Trees and houses decorated for the holidays make this quiet story suitable for the Christmas season, but the book can be shared any time. An old man lives alone on his farm in the woods, and the illustrations reflect this setting perfectly. Having lost his spirit when his wife died in the spring, he is sure there will be no Christmas tree or Christmas star this year. Now the snow is falling and a terrible blizzard covers the town with snow. When he finds a mare separated from her herd of wild horses, he coaxes her into his warm barn. On Christmas morning, the farmer finds snuggled against the mare a newborn foal marked with a star on her forehead. The man now looks forward to tomorrow. A good choice for family sharing or in a small group where the book can be discussed, Winter's Gift is perfect for young horse lovers. The story might also be comforting to a child who has recently lost a loved one. 2004, Sleeping Bear Press, Ages 4 up, $15.95. Reviewer: Augusta Scattergood (Children's Literature). ISBN: 1-58536-231-X Without You Sarah Weeks Illustrated by Suzanne Duranceau     In an amazing role-reversal, the father Emperor penguin faithfully takes care of the egg for two months in the freezing Antarctic winter as the mother goes out to sea. All the vigilant fathers take turns in the outer circle to buffet the inner circle against the chilly below zero temperatures. Throughout the "black as pitch days" and blinding sleet, and blizzards, the Emperor penguin fathers faithfully tend to the eggs and youngsters until the mothers return. The mates find each other through voice recognition and the young chicks are tenderly transferred to the feet of the females. "Where would I be,/What would I do, Who in the world would see me through.../Where would I be,/ What would I do,/ Without you?" The tender lines are repeated throughout the text to capture the heartwarming bond. Stunning paintings evoke emotion and capture the heart. A lovely CD containing a ballad sung by the author is included. Fathers will surely understand and enjoy sharing this amazing text with their special young one. 2003, Laura Geringer Books/HarperCollins Publishers, Ages 3 to 7, $16.99. Reviewer: Laura Hummel (Children's Literature). ISBN: 0-06-027816-1 To stay up to date on new books on this topic, consider subscribing to The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database. For your free trial, click here. Updated 12/31/04