Customer Reviews

Arthur and the Big Snow (Arthur Adventures)

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My son already has D.W.'s Perfect Present, which is a great Christmas story. When I saw Arthur and the Big Snow in the store, I was happy to snatch up yet another wintry tale!

A huge snowfall dumps on Elwood City and Arthur wants to meet his friends at the big hill. However, Mr. Read won't allow Arthur to go with his friends because D.W. is to small to walk in the snow; he tells Arthur that they must wait until the snowplow comes through.

Arthur decides to go outside to play in the snow, but D.W. wants to come along. She asks Arthur to help her get dressed and they no more get out in the snow and D.W. begins yelling that she wants to go inside NOW because she can't move in the deep snow.

D.W. then asks Arthur to play some games, but Arthur wants to go back out in the snow by himself. He plays several games with his sister, but by the time the plow roars by, Francine calls to let him know that he missed both the sledding AND the hot chocolate.

Arthur is, of course, very disappointed. When his Dad asks him if he's ready to go sledding, he dejectedly says that it's too late. His Dad pulls out a new sled and Arthur excitedly agrees.

The Reads' have the hill all to themselves and they settle back home, sharing hot chocolate. Mrs. Read says "Sometimes, good things are worth waiting for."

As with other Arthur stories published by Little, Brown, and Company, Arthur and the Big Snow features glossy pages, colorful illustrations, and easy-to-read print. It's great for a bed time story, as well as for beginning readers wanting to practice. There is also a "board game" on the back of the book called Downhill Racers, which is played using pennies or coins. (Heads moves one space, tails move two). These back-of-the book games are always a neat plus to the Arthur books.

My only reservation about this book is the unanswered question as to WHY Arthur had to wait for snowplow so D.W. could tag along. There was no backstory explaining that Mr. and Mrs. Read were busy with projects and Arthur had to babysit (although Mrs. Read WAS sitting at the computer with tax books on her lap). I actually felt sorry that Arthur was stuck at home at D.W.'s every beck and call. If it were me, I'd rather hang out with my friends!

So, plot-wise, I think D.W.'s Perfect Present is better. However, both are lavishly illustrated and they're always well worth the affordable price, in my opinion.