If the first snow falls on the first day of winter, the snow men, snow women, and snow children come out for a special party. The festivities include food, dancing, singing, and some surprises! With breathtaking pastel illustrations and an understated,enchanting story, this is the perfect book for a snowy day . . . or to read while wishing for snow to fall.
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About the Author
When she first saw Mark Jones' pastels, Harriet Ziefert knew she had the perfect manuscript for him, tucked away in a file from many years ago and waiting for the right illustrator.
Mark Jones was born in Switzerland, grew up in Florida, and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City with a degree in illustration. He has never built a snowman. This is Mark's first picture book.
Mark Jones was born in Switzerland, grew up in Florida, and graduated from the School of Visual Arts in New York City with a degree in illustration. He has never built a snowman. This is Mark's first picture book.
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More About the Author
Harriet Ziefert was born in New Jersey. She grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University. "About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year. Ziefert's picture book A New Coat for Anna is about a girl in a bombed-out European city during the months just after World War II. Anna has outgrown her old coat, and her mother trades her few surviving treasures--a watch, a lamp, a necklace, and a porcelain teapot--in order to obtain wool and have it spun, woven, and finally sewn into a fine red coat for Anna. A Horn Book Magazine reviewer stated, "the simple text, based on a true story, carries the narrative along effectively." The book, which was illustrated by Anita Lobel, was chosen as one of ten books to be read aloud by former First Lady Barbara Bush as part of a program promoting reading. Ziefert was invited to the White House for the occasion. The reason Ziefert began writing easy-to-read books was that she felt "they were getting too hard for kids to read in the first grade." She says that she wrote easy-to-read books with seventy-five or fewer words, even ones with fifty or fewer words, "to see how much of a story" she could produce with that limit. She enjoyed the challenge, and cites her book Sleepy Dog as an example. "Sleepy Dog is the most successful book I've ever done, in terms of number of books sold." She's also been working on a developmental program with publisher Dorling Kindersley, made up of books for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. Her book Pete's Chicken, which was illustrated by Laura Rader, was reviewed in the New York Times Book Review as "a simple, sweet 'Song of Myself' for children . . . [which] applauds the specialness of every child as it reminds parents of the healing power of just being there for children." Among her other books is a series of easy-to-read books, such as Trip Day and Worm Day, about an inventive science teacher and his rambunctious class of students. Ziefert's book Let's Get a Pet was named an Outstanding Science Trade Book for Children by a joint committee of the National Science Teachers Association and the Children's Book Council. . Ms. Ziefert lives in Maplewood, New Jersey and Lincoln, Massachusetts. She has two adult sons.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Reviewed by Sabrina Williams for Breeni Books,
By
This review is from: Snow Party (Hardcover)
With winter approaching and cold weather finally upon us, curling up indoors with a lovely storybook about snow seems only appropriate. Could there be a better way to enjoy the frosty accumulation than from the confines of a warm, dry home? Harriet Ziefert's Snow Party is a celebration of that dark time of the year, when we assume all is quiet and at rest in the world outdoors.The scenery dominates this picture book for children ages four to eight. The entire book is comprised of full color two page spreads, featuring the beautiful illustrations of Mark Jones. There is very little text, with an average of one to two lines per page. The book opens with a gorgeous nighttime view of snow falling over a lake in the forest. Jones uses a range of deep purple and blue hues to create this picturesque glimpse of a peaceful winter storm. We turn the page to discover the evening storm has left a thick blanket of snow across the countryside. Again, Ziefert and Jones convey an enveloping sense of peace and calm. Then, out of no where, an army of snow people emerges on the horizon. Men, women, and children march across the winter wonderland, carrying gifts and pots of food, searching for a party locale. The snow people, in all their various persona, decide a grove of trees in the center of the frozen lake will make the perfect spot for their celebration. They begin setting up, decorating and sweeping the icy lake that will become a dance floor. Musicians arrive in the afternoon, and the party commences. A regal snowman in a top hat toasts the shortest day of the year, honoring the first day of winter. He explains that when it snows on the winter solstice, the snow people have a snow party. And the crowd cheers. The next scenes present the snow people feasting, dancing, and unwrapping gifts as the evening progresses. It is this first scene that I have to note is a little strange. We see tables of snow people, dining away on snowballs and carved slices of ice. Isn't this a form of cannibalism? But then, what would snow people eat, anyway? As the party winds down, the people begin gathering their belongings and removing decorations. A fresh snow begins to fall, erasing all evidence of the prior festivities. By the next morning, no one could ever tell the land was the site of a magical snow party. The book closes, hinting at the party as a legend as real as Santa Claus or the Tooth Fairy. The world is at peace again. Snow Party is a fun seasonal book that should easily appeal to young children. As I mentioned, the illustrations alone are enough to charm any reader, but allowing children to embrace the art of folklore is a wonderful gift. The cover is embellished with iridescent lettering and textured snow, so it stimulates the reader's senses from the outset. With artwork as a focal point, Snow Party is an exemplary debut for illustrator Mark Jones.
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Celerates the Winter Solstice,
This review is from: Snow Party (Hardcover)
We love, love, love this book! The drawings are beautiful and engaging. It is a precious story about snow people coming to life which is so magical for kids. But, what I really love about this book is that it celebrates the winter solstice which I haven't seen in any books previously. My two young boys and I adore this story!
5.0 out of 5 stars
Snow Party,
This review is from: Snow Party (Hardcover)
This children's book is perfect for children of all ages! My two year old daughter instantly fell in love with the lovable snow characters and, with the amazing illustrations, was instantly transported into a magical snowy land. Having never seen snow in real life she was awed by the pictures in the book.I look forward to keeping this book in our bookshelf for our newborn daughter to enjoy; and I'm sure it will become a family classic.
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