Category: picture books

Posted in Fiction, Fiction, Intermediate, Middle Grade, picture books

Holiday Shopping Suggestions!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I’m back with more holiday book shopping ideas! Let’s see what we have today:

For the young entrepreneur:

Ryder K The Mini Boss: The Littlest Hands, Yet the Biggest Dreams, by Cheyenne Davis, Margaret Bowdre, & Ryder K Wharton/Illustrated by Niles Britwum, (Nov. 2024, Kingston Imperial), $16.99, ISBN: 9781954220782

Ages 5-9

Many will recognize 7-year-old entrepreneur and her mother, Cheyenne Davis, from MTV’s Teen Mom series. Here, Ryder tells the story of how she created her own nail polish line. The book features Ryder’s mom, Cheyenne, and her family, all who support Ryder in her efforts. With messages of empowerment and creativity, Ryder K The Mini Boss shows positive images of children and families of color. Ryder’s mom guides her through the process of becoming a “mini boss” with keywords written on a whiteboard: “Passion! Patience! Persistence! Play!” and Ryder still comes across as a playful child, pondering the upsides of abeing a “mini boss”: “Can I buy all the toys I want? I am a mini boss. Can I have candy every day? I am a mini boss”. An additional purchase.

 

 

For the middle grader who loves crafting:

The Best Friend Bracelet, by Nicole D. Collier, (Oct. 2024, HarperCollins), $18.99, ISBN: 9780063326163

Ages 8-12

Zariah (“like Mariah Carey, but with a Z”) has a tidy little business making best friend bracelets for classmates at Hurston Middle School. She puts a lot of thought into the process; her customers fill out a profile on their best friend so that Zariah can choose the right beads and make the perfect bracelet. The irony is, Zariah has no best friend: she suffered a best friend breakup that she’s still reeling from, but she hopes to have a bestie again one day. After inspiration strikes on a trip to the bead store, Zariah creates a stunning bracelet that goes viral on her school’s social media platform, but this bracelet is different: everyone who tries on the bracelet becomes Zariah’s best friend! Zariah uses this as the opportunity to audition new best friends, but her parent aren’t as thrilled with her bracelet as everyone at school is: her grades have been dropping and her mom lays down the ultimatum: pull those grades up, or lose the beading supplies. Zariah turns to a school loner for help… but could she be the best friend that Zariah’s needed? A fun story about best friends and learning that one size doesn’t fit all, readers will love Zariah’s voice and creativity.

The Best Friend Bracelet has a starred review from Publishers Weekly.

 

For the fantasy reader:

Princess Betony and the Unicorn (Princess Betony, Book 1), by Pamela Freeman/Illustrated by Tamsin Ainslie, (Aug. 2023, Kane Miller), $6.99, ISBN: 9781684647156

Ages 7-10

Princess Betony is a young princess surrounded by overbearing courtiers. The daughter of a human king and a dryad who retains a human form, Betony’s governess, Lady Pineal, complains and berates her and her father’s chancellor is rude and blustering. Betony longs to learn more about her mother’s Wild Magic, much to Lady Pineal’s and the Lord Chancellor’s chagrin. When Princess Betony sees her mother heading toward the forest one morning, she runs after her, afraid her mother has left her; she discovers other dryads who set her on a quest – catch a unicorn! – to prove she has the Wild Magic; then and only then will she be able to find her mother. With a seemingly impossible task against her, Princess Betony relies on her determination and her legacy as a child of a tree spirit. Storytelling has fantasy elements and black-and-white illustrations throughout and readers will quickly find themselves fans of Betony, who has a strong sense of who she is, a love of family, and a curious streak. Princess Betony and the Unicorn is the first in a series of four adventures, originally published in Australia from 2012-2014.

 

For the lovable and mischievous book-lover:

Nibbles the Very Hungry Book Monster, by Emma Yarlett, (Sept. 2024, Kane Miller), $17.99, ISBN: 9781684647897

Ages 5-8

Nibbles has long had a place in my heart – my middle schooler was a big fan as a little guy, and I’ve never grown tired of this goofy little book monster’s escapades. Nibbles is up to his usual silliness in this latest book, which is chock full of flaps and die-cuts as Nibbles chomps his way through a series of books, leaving holes in hilarious spots: a cookbook sports a peek a Nibbles’s bottom sticking out of a cake pan; a Hansel and Gretel cover has been chewed away to show Nibbles running at full speed; Old Macdonald Had a Farm shows Nibbles’s head peeking out atop the cow’s body. The little yellow monster gorges himself until he comes to the book’s close and his little crate: but will he go in, or will he eat his way through that, too? Great for an interactive readaloud or a scavenger hunt (just print a few Nibbles coloring pages here and set them around!), Nibbles is an enduring character whose antics always make for fun.

 

 

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Books for your Christmas storytime

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

It’s that time: the Christmas storytime! Here are a few good ones to consider.

 

Socks: A Christmas Kid’s Lament, by JD McPherson/Illustrated by Anika Orrock, (Sept. 2024, Walker Books), $15.99, ISBN: 9781536237023

Ages 3-7

Singer-songwriter McPherson’s picture book debut is about a Christmas present kids dread: SOCKS. A young boy creeps down to his Christmas tree early one Christmas morning, fully expecting any number of toys and discovering a dreaded pair of socks. SOCKS! For Christmas! The rhyming story escalates as the boy searches his home and pleads his case: “No ‘Are we there yet?’ in the car! / I ruined no vacations! / A few coins in the swearing jar, / but for impassioned declarations!” Santa flies over towns all over the world as children appear to exclaim the same disdainful refrain in different languages. But is there more to the grand sock distribution? Keep reading, and you’ll notice that other presents do show up, and that Mrs. Claus feels very differently about her socks. A sweet story about appreciating the meaning behind gift-giving, and a chuckle for anyone who’s received a gift they were less than pleased with. Orrock’s retro digital artwork adds a fun sense of play to the story. Scan a QR code to hear McPherson’s song, “Socks” and try out a few lines during storytime.

 

 

Everett Green: The Not-So Christmas Tree, by Freddy Wexler/Illustrated by Fanny Berthiaume, (Oct. 2024, Random House Books for Young Readers), $14.99, ISBN: 9780593567944

Ages 4-8

“Everett Green was a small palm tree with big dreams”. He’s a singing, dancing palm tree that’s tired of being ignored and knows he’s meant for greater things, and then he sees it: the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree, featured on the news. With that, Everett’s off to New York! The only problem? Flights are delayed! Everett’s stuck at an airline gate on Christmas Eve! What’s a tree to do? Well… he’s got a captive audience, so Everett seizes the opportunity, grabs a mic, and starts spreading holiday cheer. One by one, the crowd joins in and before anyone knows it, there’s a dancing and a Christmas sing-along, dancing, and good feelings all around. Everett returns to his old digs at The Sandy Straw, where his Christmas act is embraced and lauded. The moral of the story: joy is where you find it, so spread it where you can. It’s a touching and relevant holiday message that carries meaning beyond the holidays. Photoshop illustrations are bold and bright; endpapers feature beribboned pineapples and Christmas ornaments across a bright yellow background. A fun holiday read that has plenty of opportunities for interaction with a group.

 

 

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? by Mac Barnett/Illustrated by Jon Klassen, (Sept. 2023, Candlewick Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536223767

Ages 4-8

Easily one of my favorite kidlit powerhouse combos, Barnett and Klassen just make great books. This time, they examine the classic question: How does Santa go down the chimney? They admit there are no easy answers, but there are suggestions that go from innocent – “Does he cinch up his belt?” – to the laugh-out-loud hilarious: “Does Santa ever get stuck partway down and need one of the reindeer to give him a kick?” Kids and adults alike have pondered these very same questions for years! Klassen’s graphite and ink illustrations pair perfectly with Barnett’s text, showing Santa and his reindeer in the funniest of situations, including a peek at Santa’s underwear as he goes down the chimney backside first. Ending on a sweet note and preserving the mystery, this is a perfect readaloud for holiday season.

How Does Santa Go Down the Chimney? has starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus, Booklist, and was an Indie Next pick.

 

Santa Yeti, by Matthew Luhn/Illustrated by Luke Flowers, (Oct. 2023, Kane Miller), $15.99, ISBN: 9781684646036

Ages 3-7

What’s more fun than a cute rhyming story? A cute rhyming story about a yeti who’s tired of being cold! Frank is a yeti who dreams to vacationing somewhere warm, like Brazil. He stumbles upon Santa’s toy factory on Christmas Eve, deciding to stow away in a present bound for Brazil, but things go sideways when the box tears and Frank scares Santa right out of the sled! Santa gets dropped into a warm Brazilian pool, and it’s up to Frank to save Christmas. Thankfully, he’s up to the task and gets a nice reward next Christmas: a vacation in Key West. Luke Flowers’s illustrations are adorable, colorful, and filled with fun details. The endpapers feature postcards from warm climates with drawings of Frank taped into the scenery; back endpapers have drawings of Santa, Mrs. Claus, an elf, and a reindeer joining Frank taped into a postcard from… you guessed it, Brazil. The rhyme scheme is bouncy and light, pairing sweetly with the fun illustrations. Perfect for a Christmas read-aloud, this will become a book you’ll reach for every year.

Posted in Graphic Novels, picture books

Indie spotlight!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I haven’t done this in a bit, so let’s shine the indie spotlight on a few books! I’ve been catching up on Mount TBR, and I’ve got a few that may have missed your notice in the last year. Let’s meet some new-to-us, folks, shall we?

Play for Me, Peter, by Carol Selick/Illustrated by Blueberry Illustrations, (July 2023, Carol Selick), $11.99, ISBN: 979-8218190521

Singer, songwriter, and novelist Carol Selick tells a gentle story of love, loss and music in her story about enduring love and the connection we have through music. Peter is a young boy who loves hearing his grandfather play jazz on the piano, but when his grandfather dies and the music stops, Peter is devastated. Slowly, with the help of his grandmother, a kind piano teacher named Mr. Wally, and a final gift from his grandfather, Peter begins to play the piano and to further his grandfather’s legacy. The story touches on the connection we all have to music and one another and is a touching story of love, loss, and moving on.

Visit Carol Selick’s website for more information about her music and writing.

 

 

Captain Baby, by Kaylynn Miller & Nathan Miller, (Feb. 2024, Independently Published), $11.99, ISBN: 979-8872966982

Ages 3-6

Written by a 7-year-old and her father, Captain Baby is a cute story about a pirate who encounters a baby while on his pirate ship. The baby initially attacks the ship – with sharks! – and turns the pirate’s crew against him, marooning him on an island. When the baby is marooned shortly after – pirates don’t change diapers, after all – the grizzly captain discovers that he’s got a soft spot and takes on the mantle of protector. The two have adventures, including fighting off crocodiles and angry, poo-flinging monkeys while questing for gold coconuts. It’s a madcap tale that only a 7-year-old could tell, and the graphic novel format fits the storytelling nicely. The authors encourage readers to read the story in their most pirate-like voice, with little “arrr” puns cropping up in the text. A sweet collaboration between parent and child.

 

 

Would You Rather?, by Anna Avelino, (Jan. 2024, Independently Published), $14.99, ISBN: 979-8871075081

Ages 7-12

Would You Rather presents 350 questions that will provoke giggles as easily as they’ll provoke thought and discussion. We started playing “Would You Rather” when my youngest was 7, coming up with questions like “Would you rather swing on webs like Spider-Man or run like Sonic the Hedgehog?” It was a fun way to start conversations, and it helped me encourage my little guy to elaborate (his English teacher was thrilled). Here, Anna Avelino offers choices like “Would you rather arrive to school or work in a hot air balloon or a horse-drawn carriage?”. Questions are organized into areas like “Feathers, Fangs, and Furry Friends”, “Hilarious and Silly Questions”, and “Around the World”. Fun for circulating and reference collections!

 

Look at the Picture and Write the Name Coloring Book, by Canette Arille, (Dec. 2022, Independently Published), $9, ISBN: 979-8367455830

Ages 2+

A cute hand-drawn collection of images for kids to color. Images are large, black and white, and make for easy coloring by younger learners. Each picture sports a line where kids and write the name of the image. A nice gift idea.

 

Posted in picture books

Holiday Shopping Suggestions!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Over the next few days, I’ll be working on a few holiday shopping ideas. To paraphrase one of the pillars of Library Science, there’s a book for every reader, right? If you need some books for some littles over the next couple of days, I got you.

For the kid who loves being outdoors:

On a Mushroom Day, by Chris Baker & Alexandra Finkeldey, (July 2024, Tundra Books), $18.99, ISBN: 9781774882580

Ages 3-7

Go on a lyrical exploration with a caregiver and child, discovering the different types of fungi. Baker and Finkeldey engage all five senses in this informational story that walks readers through a forest that “springs a little under your footsteps”; listening to birds and mosquitoes through the canopy; smelling delicious aromoas wafting up from the forest floor; seeing the different colors and shapes of various mushrooms – “like the fruit of a fungus, as a tomato that grows on a vine”, and finally, after a long day of exploring and gathering, tasting “something wonderful indeed”. Earthy-colored illustrations pair with fantasy images of mythical forest creatures to create truly delightful images for the readers. Back matter includes species of mushrooms featured in the story, fungi facts, resources for further reading, and tips for having one’s own mushroom day. A sweet and informative book for beginning mycologists and those with an interest in nature.

Have kids who want more mushroom info? You can’t go wrong with Elise Gravel’s Mushroom Fan Club.

 

For the kid who loves the Alphabet Song:

The Dictionary Story, by Oliver Jeffers & Sam Winston, (Aug. 2024, Candlewick Press), $18.99, ISBN: 9781536235500

Ages 3-7

Any Oliver Jeffers book is going to offer readers a great adventure. Here, Dictionary longs to create a story like other books, and brings her words to life: it’s cute at first, with Alligator in search of a tasty Donut, but things quickly escalate and things spin out of control! The Moon wonders what beings from the front of the library are doing over in her area; a Ghost appears and frightens everyone; a moody Tornado emerges and threatens to wreck everything! Dictionary is going to need some help from friend Alphabet to get things back in order. The delightful story and masterful illustration includes dictionary pages as the main backdrop; the illustrations run rampant over the dictionary entries, causing the dictionary’s organized layout to bend and snap out of shape under the weight of the characters. It all comes together to create a playful adventure that will easily become a storytime mainstay.

A Dictionary Story has starred reviews from Kirkus, Booklist, and Shelf Awareness; it was also an Indie Next selection.

 

For the adventurer:

The Spaceman, by Randy Cecil, (May 2024, Candlewick Press), $17.99, ISBN: 9781536226164

Ages 3-7

A diminutive spaceman arrives on the latest planet on his roster and sets about his usual, if a bit boring, tasks; collecting, labeling, and filing soil samples. This time is different, though: he discovers a beautiful red flower. While he’s gazing at the flower, his ship is stolen and he pursues the bird in question. While in pursuit, he discovers even more incredible sights: “a fantastical array of creatures… Some were wonderfully strange. Some were adorable. Some were beautiful”. He even meets a curious, furry friend to share time with. After spending a day with his new friend and realizing happiness, he has to make a decision: go back to his responsibilities, or… maybe not? With sweet and deadpan humor, Cecil’s storytelling and illustration makes for a story that readers will enjoy for multiple readings.

The Spaceman has starred reviews from BookPage, Kirkus, School Library Journal, and Booklist.

Posted in picture books

Check out The Creative Company’s READ AND PLAY HOLIDAY GIVEAWAY!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Hi all! I haven’t done a big holiday giveaway in a while, so we’re due, don’cha think? The kind and lovely folks over at The Creative Company have goodies for you: read on! There’s a little something for everyone!

The Creative Company is known for its high-quality, visually stunning books that inspire and educate young readers. To celebrate the holiday season, The Creative Company is giving away a festive bundle featuring two beautifully crafted picture books and a set of playful blocks. Perfect for cozy family moments, this set brings the magic of reading and hands-on fun to your home this Christmas. Read on to see how you can enter to win!

NUTCRACKER by E. T. A. Hoffmann, illustrated by Roberto Innocenti

Experience the magic of the Nutcracker like never before with this beautiful edition. Featuring the classic holiday tale paired with stunning illustrations by renowned Italian artist Roberto Innocenti, this enchanting book brings the story of a child and her loyal Nutcracker to life. Perfect for the season, it’s a timeless treasure for readers of all ages.

Nutcracker is 136 pages, recommended for ages 8 and up. Available at TheCreativeCompany.com, Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and independent bookstores.

 What’s Christmas without The Nutcracker? Innocenti’s beautiful illustration makes this a breathtaking gift for book lovers.

 

TOGETHER by Laura Manaresi, illustrated by Giovanni Manna

In a world often divided by perceived differences, this beautifully illustrated picture book serves as a gentle yet powerful reminder of the strength found in unity. Emphasizing our shared commonalities, it inspires readers with the message that collective action can overcome even the greatest challenges. Perfect for readers of all ages, this book is a call to come together to create a better future.

Together is 24 pages, recommended for ages 7-9. Available at TheCreativeCompany.com, Amazon.com, BarnesAndNoble.com, and independent bookstores.

With a timely message, this is a lovely animal story paired with an easy-to-read narrative.

 

A NUMBER OF ANIMALS NESTING BLOCKS by Kate Greene, illustrated by Lester Wormell

This charming 10-piece wooden set offers hours of stacking fun. Following a little chick’s journey through the farmyard in search of its mother, each block features bold block prints and engaging text. The graduated blocks stack into a tower nearly three feet tall, making this set a wonderful combination of learning and play.

Recommended for ages 3 to 5. Available at TheCreativeCompany.com.

How adorable are these blocks? I have a set going under my tree for a special little one.

Enter this Rafflecopter Giveaway to Win!

** Open to U.S. Residents 18 and over only.

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Simply Magical: The Boy and the Elephant

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

The Boy and the Elephant, by Freya Blackwood, (Aug. 2024, Random House Studio), $19.99, ISBN: 6780183707661

Ages 4-8

Kate Greenaway Medalist Blackwood weaves a wordless fantasy that will leave readers breathless. A child lives in a building in a bustling city and appears lost in the shuffle. He drifts through a daily routine of getting dressed, shuffling through crowds to go to school, sitting alone in the playground, and coming home. He takes two bowls out to the seemingly empty yard, and there we see it: in the vacant lot next to his building, an elephant, formed by a group of entwined trees. Their friendship is built to last, as we see the elephant turn red with autumn leaves; white as snow falls on the empty branches, and verdant green. Looking lost in the earlier spreads, it’s here, at the elephant’s feet, we see a smile as the boy looks up toward his friend. But all too soon, a “SOLD” sign goes up in the lot and trees are marked with large white “X”s: the trees will be cut down to make way for construction. The boy takes action, and the result is nothing short of magical. Blackwood’s pencil and oil spreads create the softness of a dream and the warmth of friendship. The elephant is gigantic in scale compared to the boy, but never threatening; the elephant is a constant source of comfort and joy, as shown in the boy’s upward glance and rosy-cheeked smile. Blackwood needs no words to complete this gorgeous story of permanence and, as Publishers Weekly notes, “triumph over destruction”. Pair The Boy and the Elephant with The Blue Giant and The Green Giant by Katie Cottle for a storytime on being better stewards to our home.

The Boy and the Elephant has starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist.

“A contemplative look at finding your place in a busy world.” —Kirkus Reviews

Freya Blackwood fell in love with illustrating books as a child while growing up in New South Wales, Australia. She is the illustrator of many acclaimed picture books published throughout the world, including My Two Blankets, Baby Day, and Harry and Hopper for which she won the Kate Greenaway Medal. She lives in New South Wales with her daughter. To learn more, visit her website: freyablackwood.com.au
Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

A girl reflects on her family’s changes in I’m Lucky to Have My Parents

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

I’m Lucky to Have My Parents, by Radostina Nikolova/Illustrated by Yana Popova, (Jan. 2025, Papercutz), $7.99, ISBN: 9781545815816

Ages 5-8

A child reflects on her family and the fun they have together, but when things change, she has to work through some big feelings. “I am lucky to have my parents”, the story begins, told in first person from the child’s perspective; spreads featuring colorful family album photos and fun activities accompany prose detailing a happy family; some may notice that the girl talks about having fun with her mother or father; the only time she mentions them together is when she notes that “Sometimes Mom and Dad talk and laugh,
but other times they argue and then keep very quiet. / There are times when they are so angry with each other that only I can help”. A torn photo leads to moody black and white illustration as the girl mourns her family’s breakup. After talking with her mother and learning that “Sadness doesn’t need to go away… Whatever you feel inside – let it out,” color returns to the art, and the girl begins to adjust to life with two families. Both parents have new partners, leading to step- and half-siblings. Simple text provides understanding and advice for children going through a difficult time. A good choice for collections.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

From generation to generation: Still There Was Bread

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Still There Was Bread, by Lisl H. Detlefesen/Illustrated by David Soman, (Oct. 2024, HarperCollins), $19.99, ISBN: 9780063216556

Ages 4-8

The warmth of a family kitchen comes through the pages in this intergenerational story of baking, family, and love. A young boy awaits his grandmother’s arrival, a big moment on the rise: he’s going to learn to make “Nana Rolls”: a special family bread that “Nana’s mama taught my mama when she was my age, and now Nana is going to teach me”. The two don their aprons and get to work and Nana relates stories of how different generations made the bread through the years; the boy reflects on the differences from then to now: his great-great grandmother had to collect eggs from the chicken coop, where he just has to go to the store; she had to mix the dough by hand, rather than with a mixer; she had to use a woodburning stove, where he just has to preheat an electric oven. Going deeper, the story of bread – and family – as sustenance links generations through the Depression, polio, and the Covid pandemic. The boy and his grandmother talk about breads across different cultures “for times they can be together and times they can’t”, like naan, challah, fry bread, and other breads. Soman’s pen, ink, and watercolor illustrations glow with warmth, the front endpapers showcasing different types of breads across a blue-and-white checked tablecloth pattern. Soman makes wonderful use of natural light to add depth. Back matter includes an author’s note and a recipe for her grandmother’s “Nana Rolls”, the inspiration for the story. A heart-filling story that works for storytime and any time.

 

Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

The art of friendship: An Adventure for Lia and Lion

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

An Adventure for Lia and Lion, by Al Rodin, (Oct. 2024, Knopf Books for Young Readers), $18.99, ISBN: 9780593903322

Ages 3-7

Lia is a little girl who wants a pet to go adventuring with. Lion is a lion who also wants a pet that he can lead on an adventure. The two meet and clash: they both want to be in charge! Through listening and talking, each learns what the other hopes to gain on their journey and slowly, the two learn that each one has something exciting to contribute. Maybe they can lead and follow at the same time. Mixed media illustrations feel dreamlike: Lion is yellow-orange with a fuzzy mane; Lia is a small girl with a red hat and a net. The size difference makes for an adorable partnership, set against large forestlike settings. Their disagreements are communicated through body language, as Lion twists his body away from Lia; she leans in aggressively. Lion’s tail thrashes; she stands her ground. When a storm threatens, the two stick closely together, sealing their friendship. A gentle, enjoyable story about the evolution of a friendship, the importance of listening to one another, and working together.

 

“A new friendship, tested and affirmed through adventure.” —Kirkus Reviews
 
AL RODIN is a writer and illustrator from London, England. He studied children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art and received the 2019 Sebastian Walker Prize. His paintings have been exhibited in galleries across Europe and Asia, and he was selected for the Illustrators Exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair in 2019. Learn more at alrodin.com and find him on Instagram at @alrodin.
Posted in picture books, Preschool Reads

Snow Is… wonderful!

Posted on by Rosemary Kiladitis

Snow Is…, by Laura Gehl/Illustrated Sonia Sánchez, (Oct. 2024, Simon & Schuster), $18.99, ISBN: 9781665915595

Ages 3-7

The anticipation of a snowy day comes alive in this rhyming story about the first snowfall of the season. A child looks out the window and watches the flakes fall. Dashing outside, they run back to get their father and dog, and it becomes a family day as Mom and baby sibling join them for snow castles, snowmen, and snowball fights. Sánchez’s illustrations revel in the joy of the first snowfall: the child dances and runs, the father laughing and covered in snow, mother rushing to join the fray, baby tucked safely into a carrier. Gehl’s rhyming story brings all the childish fun to readers, describing everything that snowfall brings to mind: “Snow is the birds huddled close in their nest. / Snow is your heart pounding hard in your chest”; “Snow is bright eyes / and small cheeks / cold and rosy. / Snow is a castle that’s roomy yet cozy”. Cool blues and whites come together with the warm reds of the family’s clothes to bring a winter feeling to the reader.  What a wonderful way to welcome the winter! Perfect for storytime.