The Blizzard [Hardcover]

Betty Ren Wright (Author), Ronald Himler (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 5 and up | Grade Level: K and up

Although a blizzard prevents his cousins from visiting for his birthday, a disappointed Billy ends up having a very special day when his teacher and classmates must stay overnight at his family's house to wait out the snowstorm.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 1-3-This picture book has the warmth and appeal of a favorite family reminiscence. The simple story focuses on Billy, who is disappointed that his cousins won't be visiting to help celebrate his December birthday. The day takes an unexpected turn, however, when the same weather that kept his cousins away brings all the members of his mixed-grade, one-room schoolhouse (along with the teacher) to his house to spend the night. The boy's parents turn this impromptu slumber party into a celebration, with plenty of good food, a group sing-along, and, of course, a birthday cake. Wright's straightforward text has a down-home flavor that meshes well with Himler's evocative illustrations. Executed in watercolor and gouache over pencil, the mostly double-page spreads feature sepia tones that enhance the old-fashioned feel. While the setting is clearly rural, the time period is less clear. But ultimately, the where and the when of the story aren't really important-it's the nostalgic appeal of a simpler time that both Wright and Himler capture so perfectly in words and pictures.
Lisa Dennis, The Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

*Starred Review* PreS-Gr. 2. This evocative story harkens back to an earlier, simpler time as it celebrates a feeling of sharing and neighborliness that is still the ideal today. Billy is disappointed when inclement weather keeps his relatives from coming for his birthday. The storm gets even worse while Billy and his sister are in school. It's so bad, the roads are closed, and Mr. Carter comes to tell Miss Bailey, the teacher, that she and her students are stuck for the night. Because they are without food and blankets, Miss Bailey decides they will have to make their way to the closest house--Billy's. A wonderful two-page spread shows Mr. Carter and Miss Bailey leading a chain of children through the blinding snow. Then they arrive at Billy's house, where it's warm and bright and there is plenty of good food--including birthday treats. Everything here is predictable, but the feelings the events engender are tender and strong. Himler's artwork alternates between the white-gray of the blowing snow and the golden glow that comes from both inside the house and the hearts of those who live there. Set perhaps 50 or 60 years ago, this story can work as a bridge between generations. Ilene Cooper
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 5 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Holiday House; 1st edition (September 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0823416569
• ISBN-13: 978-0823416561
• Product Dimensions: 11.3 x 9.8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,437,645 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful old-fashioned story, January 10, 2011

By 

jillschmill (St. Louis, MO) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blizzard (Paperback)

This is a lovely story with great imagery about what it was like for kids about 100 years ago (one-room schoolhouse, etc). My daughter loves to hear this story about a unique birthday! Beautiful story-telling.

5.0 out of 5 stars December Babies Rejoice!, November 25, 2009

By 

Lola "Mom of Two Bookworms" (Carol Stream, IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Blizzard (Paperback)

A terrific story for December-born children who dread their birthday. My son's bday is dampened every year by a blizzard and this book, although beneath his reading level, brightened his outlook on his upcoming birthday. We decided to have a Blizzard of a Birthday party!