From School Library Journal
PreSchool-Grade 1-This companion to It's Fall (2001) and It's Spring (2002, both Millbrook) is an exemplary exploration of a season. From the first spread, readers view an enthusiastic girl who delves into the pleasures and treasures of winter: "I chase and zigzag/here/and/there,/catching snowflakes in the air./They land on my face and on my hair./I stick out my tongue/and catch one./Yum!" The arrival of new snow overnight transforms the world around her into a rollicking playground. She takes a pleasant walk with her dog and describes the wonders of nature when bats, bees, and several other animals hibernate; active life goes on underneath a frozen pond, and birds and deer are about. At night, Orion takes precedence in the sky. Soon the days grow longer, the sun feels stronger, and there is a hint of change, but there is still time to sled and hope for another snow. Swan's beautiful cut-paper artwork is colorful, crisp, and stark. Rich textures bring depth to the lively scenes and the double-page spreads will give young readers much to ponder. Make room on your shelves for this fresh offering.
Meghan R. Malone, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to the
Library Binding
edition.
K-Gr. 3. The third book in the Celebrate the Seasons series, this combines a cheerfully illustrated paean to winter with a pinch of science. The text begins by evoking the feelings of winter: the joy of catching snowflakes on the tongue, the anticipation of wondering just how much snow will fall, and the warmth generated by making snow angels and building snowmen. In addition to the fun, there are descriptions of several creatures' hibernation habits, creatively illustrated in cross sections showing the insides of underground and underwater hiding places. A list of suggested nature activities adds to the scientific focus. The intricate, brightly colored cut-paper-and-paint illustrations evoke the crispness of winter and are simply fun to look at. Similar in appearance to Jan Carr's
Frozen Noses (1999), but for a slightly older audience.
Diane FooteCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to the
Library Binding
edition.