No Two Snowflakes [Paperback]

Sheree Fitch (Author), Janet Wilson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2002 | Grade Level: P and up

How would you describe snow to a child who has never felt it squeak beneath her feet or melt on her tongue?

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Gr 1-4-One Christmas afternoon, Lou in Canada writes to Araba, his pen pal in an unnamed tropical country, to explain to her what snow is. In free verse, he describes it by moonlight, in the late day, and in the muddy spring. His catalog of enjoyments includes tobogganing; packing snowballs; and making forts, igloos, and snow angels-all activities that most northerners will recognize, but few tropical dwellers may picture without explanation. While the poetic language evokes many aspects of winter, the rich imagery, multiple references to other experiences, and a surfeit of pretentious melded words ("snow in slow feathershapes"; "snapcrackle music"; "bluesky day") stretch credulity that the seven- or eight-year-old narrator pictured would produce this letter. However, as a sensory evocation of snow, the book reminds readers to use everything they notice when describing something-touch, taste, appearance, sound, and comparisons-a valuable poetry or writing lesson. Impressionistic pastel illustrations vibrantly depict the snow scenes and two show Araba making a "sand angel" to parallel Lou's creation. Three activities are included.

Susan Hepler, Burgundy Farm Country Day School, Alexandria, VA

Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"Award-winning oil painter Janet Wilson brings the text to life with brilliantly coloured snapshots of childhood winters." ". . . this book has a cozy, cuddle-on-the-couch quality." (Rockcliffe Reviews 20020901)

"The lyrical text . . . conjures up nostalgic sensual images of snowflakes." "Most scenes are alive with actionespecially the tobogganers who almost zoom off the page straight into your lap." (Resource Links 20020301)

"Children will recognize the similarities and connections between themselves and others and the differences that make each child and every culture unique." (UNICEF Communique )

"Fitch's poetry is full of dazzling images . . ." (Booklist )

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Orca Book Publishers (October 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1551432277
• ISBN-13: 978-1551432274
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 10.4 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #733,858 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Poetic symbolism, January 23, 2010

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This review is from: No Two Snowflakes (Paperback)

Snowflakes are used as a metaphor in this lovely descriptive story. It would be great to kick off a winter poetry theme or even use around a multicultural unit.