On a Wintry Morning [Hardcover]

Dori Chaconas (Author), Stephen T. Johnson (Illustrator)

Book Description

Age Level: 2 and up

A father takes his infant daughter for a sleigh ride on a winter's morning.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Reminiscent of Mother Goose rhymes, newcomer Chaconas's musical verse sequence nostalgically harks back to a quieter time while preserving its appeal to contemporary children. A father bundles up his toddler daughter: "Daddy, tie her hat on tight./ Tie that baby's hat on tight./ The wind will blow with all its might./ On a wintry morning." Describing the progression of the morning's events, the text skimps on dynamic tension but compensates with a cornucopia of child-pleasing images: the father and daughter hitch up the horse and ride in their sleigh, look for animal tracks ("Daddy, find a bunny track./ Quick-foot, light-foot bunny track") and buy a "tawny, brindled pup,/ One ear down and one ear up." Like the verses, Johnson's (Alphabet City) paintings possess a timeless tranquility. Despite the huge snowflakes, the illustrations are full of warmth and comfort. A close-up of the father's hands as he cradles the baby's "tiny tender toes," the baby asleep on his chest as he sings a "cozy, dozy tune"Deach scene suggests the joy and love shared by parent and child. As nourishing as hearty winter soup. Ages 1-4. (Oct.)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-A lilting, rhyming text, by turns exuberant and soothing, celebrates the small moments that a father and toddler share. They trek out into the cold, sled down a hill, walk out across a meadow, and enjoy a sleigh ride to the "market in the square." Finally back home, they warm up, snuggle, and the youngster takes a nap. Each well-constructed four-line verse is centered on a white background, opposite a framed, watercolor-and-pastel illustration. The first three lines rhyme and the last echoes the phrase, "On a wintry morning." The artwork adeptly reinforces the action. The colors sweep back off the figures as their sled speeds downward. The tender moment as the exhausted child dozes off in her father's arms is done in darker, warmer tones to focus on the pair. Perfect for both lap-time sharing and storytime, this book is a joyous collaboration.
Jane Marino, Scarsdale Public Library, NY
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 2 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Viking Juvenile (October 23, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670892459
• ISBN-13: 978-0670892457
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 9.3 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #559,149 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I Love This Book!, October 24, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: On a Wintry Morning (Hardcover)

The art, by Caldecott winning Stephen Johnson is fabulous. The text, written by Dori Chaconas, sings! The art and text together are a perfectly paired feast for the eyes and ears. Children will love repeating the lyrical phrases. Adults will love how Johnson captures the special relationship between a father and his baby daughter as they spend a day in the snow. The ending, when the father tucks his little girl in for a nap is absolutely precious! A great gift for every daddy and daughter. Also makes a wonderful baby shower gift. I plan to give this right alongside Goodnight Moon. Lovely!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Finally! A baby Shower Gift for Dad...., January 12, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: On a Wintry Morning (Hardcover)

If there is anybody ever left out of the baby shower process it's Papa. In fact, all to often we don't think of fathers being involved emotionally with infants, especially girls. That's one of the reasons this book is so spectacular. This is a special text with special illustrations about a father and his baby girl, exploring the world together On a Wintry Morning. They bundle up and head out on a white, crisp day, to follow bunny trails, make snow angles, take a sleigh ride, and even buy a new pup. The book comes full circle with daddy and daughter back home, cozy, dozy and warm.

The illustrations are soft and wondrous, with obvious emotional investment by the artist. The text is seamless--a lilting, musical lullaby. Look for this book to win awards. But most importantly watch it win hearts. A perfect book for fathers everywhere, to encourage and validate father/child relationships. If you're off to a baby shower for a special couple with a new baby girl, wrap this book up and include it in your gift. You won't be sorry. It's a treasure to pass on from generation to generation.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A treasure of a book!, October 22, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: On a Wintry Morning (Hardcover)

This is the most beautiful picture book I've seen in a long time. Each illustration is truly a work of art. The short verses sound effortless and perfect, and celebrate the simple joys of life and family. The picture of the little girl investigating bunny tracks, and of daddy and baby snuggled for a nap, will be reassuringly familiar to any young child who sees them, and will tug at the heartstrings of adults. This would be a wonderful gift for any new parent, especially fathers.