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A Blizzard of Children’s Picture
Books
By Holly E. Newton
It’s now “snow time” in the colder
climates, and that means a celebration of blizzard picture books.
Have you ever awakened to a world of white?
The Snowy Day, written
and illustrated by Ezra Jack Keats, is a beautiful story and a 1963
Caldecott winner about a young boy who wakes up to a wonderful white
wintry day. He can hardly wait to explore the exciting adventures
waiting in the crisp cold blanket of snow. The pictures of
oil and collage completely cover the pages like snow on the ground.
Here is one of the best picture books written to celebrate a day
in the snow. It’s been recently reissued
and repackaged with Mr. Keats’ other famous book, Whistle
for Willie. A DVD of each story
is included with the book.
 Here’s
another book about the first snowfall — Danny’s First Snow,
written and beautifully illustrated with acrylic and pastels
on paper by Leonid Gore, is another celebration of the magic of
that first snow. You can almost feel the sense of the cold
air and the change of scenery in this beautiful rendition of being
out in a world covered in snow.
And
for another wonderful reissue, Hans Brinker, retold
perfectly by Bruce Coville, and marvelously painted by Laurel Long,
retells the story of a family who stays together through some of
the most difficult times. It’s not only about the difficult
ice skating
race of Hans but the lessons of love and perseverance that should
be read to families of all ages.
 Very
Hairy Bear, by Alice Schertle, and illustrated with beautiful soft
pastels-and-pencil by Matt Phelan, has a rambunctious bear leading
the reader through the seasons as he eats and sleeps. Adorable!
Playful Little Penguins, by Tony Mitten, and brightly illustrated by Guy Parker-Rees,
is a toe-tapping story about these polar birds who slip, slide and
glide along the ice and snow. These animated penguins retire
at day’s end in the arms of their moms and dads after their fun
packed day. Don’t forget to check out the fun end pages.
And while we’re on the subject of these
birds, Penguin, written and adorably illustrated by
Polly Dunbar, is about friendship. Here is story with only
a few words about a boy and his new penguin who
doesn’t seem to talk. But at story’s end you learn much more
about ways to communicate besides through words.
 Are
you looking for a funny read-aloud? Duck at the Door,
written and illustrated by Jackie Urbanovic, is a hilarious
story about a duck who decides not to fly south for the winter.
Instead he visits a house full of pets who don’t want him taking
over their dwelling. All through his antics, their interest
and caring grows until the weather thaws and it’s time for his duck
friends to return. What will he do? This is a funny
story to be enjoyed by all!
Here’s an imaginative tale. Romeo
and Lou Blast Off, written and brightly illustrated
by Derek Anderson, is about Romeo, the penguin, and Lou, the polar
bear, and how they decide to build a snow sculpture of a rocket
ship. But when it actually blasts into the sky, they realize
they’ve entered into a new world. (Or have they?)
A Perfect Snowman, written and illustrated with tinted hues of sepia by
Preston McDaniels, is about a snowman who believes that all there
is to a perfect life is having the best of everything. But
his new friends help him learn about compassion, humility and love
and the truly important lessons of life.
 Here
is a different spin on “Goldilocks and the Three Bears” — The Three Snow Bears,
written and illustrated by Jan Brett, has the typical glorious paintings
of Brett with a story of an Eskimo girl who leaves her sled dogs
and comes upon an empty igloo. The polar bears who
live there have just left for a pre-breakfast walk. She proceeds
to try out the food on the table, the boots for her feet and then
falls asleep on the bed. This is a fun tale, rich in pictures
throughout!
The Little Seal, by Sue Harris, and illustrated by Stephanie Boey, is a textured story
with double-paged pictures that are perfect for little hands.
Little Seal has a baby walrus and polar cub for friends and doesn’t
want to migrate with his mother when it’s time to leave. Will
he stay with his friends or leave? This is a darling story
for all ages.
And while we’re talking about arctic
animals, Polar Animals: Level 1, by
Wade Cooper, will help early readers learn about arctic animals
in a format with larger text and colorful photographs.
And for the young toddler, How
to Build a Snowman, illustrated by Jo Moon,
is a new series for the Little Scholastic. This board book
is filled with different textures to touch and learn. The
snowman has a soft face, furry snowball, and even a silky carrot.
Great fun!
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© 2007
Meridian Magazine. All Rights Reserved.
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