Now It Is Winter [Hardcover]

Eileen Spinelli (Author), Mary Newell DePalma (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

Will spring ever come? an inquisitive young mouse asks his mother. Will I roll down steep grassy hills giggling towards the bottom? Ever again? Yes, spring will come, she answers. But now it is winter. As the young mouse yearns for the sun, the ducks, and the flowers, his mother gently reminds him of snowflakes and sleds, hot oatmeal and warm beds - the wonders of winter he can enjoy now. In this delightful tale, Eileen Spinelli reminds readers to be content in the moment and to look for happiness wherever they are. Children are sure to love Mary Newell DePalmas playful illustrations of mice dressed for the season, surrounded by oversized cut-paper snowflakes.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreS–A fretful young mouse learns to live in the moment in this lovely picture book. Through lyrical language, Spinelli presents the youngster's concerns ("Will spring ever come?/Will I hear the sleepy sound/of soft rain/pattering on the roof?") and his mother's reassurances ("Yes, there will be spring and rain./But now it is winter./Now sleet twinkles down/sprinkling the roof"). While his brothers and sisters frolic through the snow in the gorgeous acrylic and cut-paper illustrations, the little creature trails after his mother, asking when he will next experience his favorite springtime activities, foods, and animals. She opens his eyes to the joys of the present, and the last illustration shows him hanging up a drawing of the snowman he has made with her next to his picture of a springtime sun. Textured brush strokes capture the crisp beauty of winter and the warm coziness of the animals' home. The gentle, intimate tone makes this book a natural bedtime story or a quietly compelling read-aloud for any time.–Kathleen Kelly MacMillan, Maryland School for the Deaf, Columbia
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From Booklist

PreS-Gr. 2. "Will spring ever come? Will there be black raspberries and cream in my breakfast bowl?" asks an impatient young mouse, to which his mother patiently replies, "Yes . . . but now it is winter. Now there is oatmeal in your bowl." More questions about spring follow. In answer to each, Mother points out something that is enjoyable in the wintertime. When the little mouse longs to roll down steep, grassy hills; play tag with his friends in the park; and make paper kites, Mom reminds him that he can sail downhill on his sled, ice skate with his friends, and make a snowman. Spinelli's clever juxtaposition celebrates the joys of both seasons, as DePalma's acrylic and cut-paper illustrations depict colorfully clothed mice above and below ground. A subtle antidote to winter doldrums, this is just right for impatient children who, like the mouse, long for a change of season. Julie Cummins
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers (August 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802852440
• ISBN-13: 978-0802852441
• Product Dimensions: 11.4 x 8 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,203,193 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Eileen Spinelli is no stranger to the Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers list. Since her debut in 1991 with Somebody Loves You, Mr. Hatch, an IRA/CBC Children's Choice book and Christopher Award winner, she has gone on to author numerous picture books, poetry collections, and chapter books, including the best-selling When Mama Comes Home Tonight, and the critically acclaimed Sophie's Masterpiece. Eileen lives in West Chester, Pennsylvania.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable, January 28, 2006

By 

Katherine Ivy "A mom" - See all my reviews

This review is from: Now It Is Winter (Hardcover)

My Kindergarten son brought this home from the school library and I think it is just an adorable book. The illustrations are so cute and the story is charming too. Will spring ever come? is the reoccuring theme. Will spring ever come with black berries and cream? Now it is winter with oatmeal and brown sugar. So many cute little references can't help but leave readers feeling cozy all ready for the comfy bed time tuck in at the end of the book. Curl up with your child reading this on a chlly night and you'll feel warm inside.

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, spring will come, but now it is winter., January 10, 2011

By 

B. R. Almer "Trout Lily Studio" (Missoula, MT United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Now It Is Winter (Hardcover)

We first read a copy of this book from the library to my young granddaughter and I so loved the book and illustrations I actually found myself thinking of them often. Then for this Christmas, my granddaughter at 3 1/2 gave me my own copy. I was so pleased. I am 61 years old and enjoy this book over and over again. When I look outside at the winter, I can lament "will spring ever come" to be answered by my granddaughter "Yes Grammie, spring will come, but now it is winter." and we giggle.

5.0 out of 5 stars Musical and Gentle, January 26, 2006

By 

sparrow (Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Now It Is Winter (Hardcover)

A quiet story full of musical words that reveal the joys a child can experience in winter. Throughout the book, the message flows to celebrate the present and to have patience for the future. The illustrations are whimsical.