Dream Snow [Hardcover]

Eric Carle (Author, Illustrator)

Book Description

Release date: September 25, 2000 | Age Range: 2 - 6 years | Lexile Measure: 300L (What's this?)

It's December 24th, and the old farmer settles down for a winter's nap, wondering how Christmas can come when there is no snow! It is in his dream that he imagines a snowstorm coming and covering him and his animals—named One, Two, Three, Four and Five—in a snowy blanket.

But when the farmer awakens, he finds that it has really snowed outside, and now he remembers something! Putting on his red suit, he goes outside, puts some gifts under the tree for his animals, and presses a button near a Christmas tree, creating a most surprising musical treat for children everywhere.

"Few in number are the parents who have made it through their toddler's years on just one copy of Carle's The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Dream Snow has similar ingredients: a simple story, lively collage-like illustrations and a fun gimmick for little hands . . ." —Time

"This is a simple, well-told story about a simple farmer. . . . Viewers. . . will want to get their hands on it." —The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

"Carle fans and toddlers learning the basics will . . . enjoy the gentle text and creative design features." —Booklist

"The pictures are in Carle's trademark richly colored and textured collages that capture the snowy magic of Christmas." —Kirkus Reviews

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

It's almost Christmas and it hasn't snowed yet. As the farmer naps on his small farm, he dreams of being covered in a gentle blanket of new snow. Then, one by one, he dreams of each of his five animals (aptly named One, Two, Three, Four, and Five) being covered as well. When he awakens, he discovers that real snow--not dream snow--has fallen. And "Oh my! Oh my! I almost forgot," the farmer shouts, and, bundling up, hurries out to his tree (named Tree) with a box and a sack, looking remarkably familiar in his white beard and red suit. After decorating Tree, the farmer shouts "Merry Christmas to all!" and pushes a button for a surprise Yuletide jingle.

Young fans of Eric Carle's The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Clumsy Click Beetle, and other multisensory books, will delight in pushing the same microchip button the farmer pushes to hear the tinkling, oddly eerie holiday tune. In an even more unusual departure from standard picture books, Carle inserts a clear plastic sheet, covered with snowflakes and a white blanket, before each illustration of the dreaming farmer and his animals. Turn the plastic page to discover what kind of critter lies beneath the snow. Carle's magnificent collages, as always, are the heart and soul of his books. (Ages 3 to 8) --Emilie Coulter

From Booklist

Ages 2-6. Visual and musical gimmicks enhance Carle's signature bright, textured collages in this holiday-cum-counting story. A white-bearded farmer lives the simple life with a few animals that he names One through Five. Children don't find out which number matches which animal, though, until they follow the farmer through a visually clever dream. "It's almost Christmas, and it hasn't snowed yet," says the farmer. But as he sleeps, he envisions snow falling, covering each of his animals, while the text counts along--"The snowflakes gently covered One with a blanket"---a plastic sheet printed with snow overlays each page, concealing the collage images until readers lift the page and discover that One is a horse, Two is a cow, etc. Dream becomes reality when the farmer awakes to a white world and hurries outside (dressed in Santa coat and boots) with presents for the animals and ornaments for a tree that, thanks to a changeable battery pack, plays a chiming tune at the press of a button. Although this is more an exercise than a story, Carle fans and toddlers learning the basics will still enjoy the gentle text and creative design features. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Age Range: 2 - 6 years
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Philomel; Library Binding edition (September 25, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0399235795
• ISBN-13: 978-0399235795
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 0.6 x 10.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (48 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #135,755 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for young children.


Eric was born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, and moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old. After graduating from art school, he returned to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories, and found work as a graphic designer.


After seeing an advertisement designed by Eric, respected educator and author, Bill Martin Jr, called to ask him to illustrate a story he had written. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?, with its distinctive collage style, was the result of their collaboration. This favorite was the beginning of Eric Carle's true career. Soon Eric was writing his own stories, developing a close bond with Ann Beneduce, the founder of Philomel Books, who would be his editor for nearly 40 years. In 1969 they published the celebrated classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, which has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into more than 30 languages. Since this beginning, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote.


The secret of Eric Carle's books' appeal lies in his intuitive understanding of and respect for children, who sense in him instinctively someone who shares their most cherished thoughts and emotions. He says "I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born.
Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun."


Eric Carle has two grown-up children, a son and a daughter. He and his wife Barbara divide their time between Massachusetts and Florida.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

60 of 62 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A New Holiday Classic November 1, 2000

By Roz Levine

Format:Hardcover

Eric Carle's new picture book Dream Snow introduces the farmer, who lives with his five farm animals, named One, Two, Three, Four, Five and his tree, simply named The Tree. It's almost Christmas and it hasn't snowed yet. So one evening, the farmer sits in his favorite chair, has a cup of peppermint tea and some bread with honey, dozes off and begins to dream of snow. When he awakens, he finds that it actually has snowed. So, he bundles up in hat, boots and gloves, grabs a big box, throws a sack over his shoulder and, looking very familiar, heads out to the barn. There he decorates The Tree and along with his farm animals, poised to push a button, wishes "Merry Christmas to All". What makes this simple little book so special, is Mr Carle's wonderfully inventive illustrations. He has painted his snow flakes and drifts on clear plastic, inserted before each page, which when lifted reveals the farmer or one of his animals on the page below. And as the farmer is wishing all a Merry Christmas, your youngsters can help by him by pushing the button, to hear a holiday song. This is a charming, gentle story the entire family will love and a sure classic in years to come.

44 of 46 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars THE BEST ERIC CARLE EVER! September 23, 2000

By Gail Cooke HALL OF FAMETOP 500 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This is the best Eric Carle ever - at least I think so as does my favorite 6-year old! Mr. Carle's pictures are as bright and shiny as the sparkliest ornaments on a Christmas tree, and the book is full of surprises (none of which will be revealed so as not to spoil the fun). Let's just say they're to be found in the book's ingenious construction.

This unique construction even includes music at the end - a perfect, happy, holiday conclusion. Also, the batteries are replaceable so the book can be enjoyed for many seasons to come as young and old return again and again to the farmer who had a dream.

Thank you, Eric Carle!

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars a simple christmas story September 25, 2000

By p dizzle

Format:Hardcover

mr. carle has created a wonderful series of children's books, first catching our children's attention with "the hungry catepillar." his medium is collage with which he creates beautifully colored pictures bringing to life his simple stories. this is a wonderful addition. we meet a farmer who could pass for santa claus. it's near christmas and there's no snow, an impending disaster. luckily he has a magical dream in which first he then his animals are covered one by one by snow. as we lift the acetate sheet, uncovering the animals on each page and we meet one through five. then the farmer awakes to find his dream come true and at last he can decorate for christmas. he finishes with a flourish giving us all a song to play. a great read for parents and children alike (a good book to read together)with lively art.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Dream Snow October 24, 2001

By student SJSU

Format:Hardcover

Toy book--joy book, Carle hits a home-run again. Follow the farmer and his animals--named after numbers because he can count them on one hand, through a dream of snow falling on the barnyard. The reality of a snowfall intrudes on their lives and a hustle begins over something he has forgotten. Overlays complete the illusion of snow covering all it comes in contact with and our young audience uncovers each animal to ensure its well-being. A musical sound effect ending the story celebrates Christmas. Bright poster paint montage cut-outs fill the pages to create a warm and inviting texture to the story as it unfolds. The folk art is child-like yet filled with wonderful touches of details that overall create a satisfying balance. Children will come back to it again and again.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Review of Dream Snow March 7, 2002

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

I enjoyed this book more thatn any other Eric Carle books I've read. I love how the little old farmer names his animals, one, two, three, four, five because he can count them on his hand! After work he realizes Christmas is coming soon but there is no snow. While napping in his favorite chair he dreams of snow falling, covering him and all of his animals. Realizing when he awakens that it actually did snow he rushes out to the barn. While all the animals watch him wondering what it is he is doing he decorates a tree and puts presents for all the animals out. The song at the end also adds a fun touch to the book, that all children will enjoy! The pictures in this book represent Eric Carle's style, unique, colorful and interesting! This book is a great one to read with children around the holidays to get you into the Christmas spirit!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A Great Book! December 5, 2000

By Cathy J. Schoon

Format:Hardcover

I just read this book to both of my preschool classes and it was a hit! They were so quiet when I read it to them. The beautiful song that ends the book was a delight to them. I originally bought this book for my niece for a Christmas present but I am going to keep it for the class!

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars A let-down December 13, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

The illustrations enticed me to buy this book without reading it. As my family sat around the Christmas tree, warmed by the fire, we began reading the book only to be completely disappointed at the ending. "What," cried the family, "was that all about?" With a great beginning, rather unique and interresting and wonderful illustrations, the story went nowhere and will be returned to the bookstore as soon as I get a chance.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars A bit overrated December 10, 2000

By Renee

Format:Hardcover

I eagerly awaited delivery of this book after reading and loving many other of Eric Carle's books. I was disappointed with this one. It relies on two gimmicks, not on the quality of the story, in my view. And I don't think the quality of the artwork is up to Carle's usual very high standards. I will be returning this book.