Snow is December Baby Buzz Pick

Children always welcome the fluffy, white stuff that falls from the sky. Until the real thing arrives, why not read them “Snow,” by Uri Shulevitz. The board book is the newest Baby Buzz Pick chosen by parent educators with the Washington School District.

The following review was written by Nancy Nagel, area literacy advocate.

“The wonder and magic of an anticipated snowstorm is seen through a child’s eyes in this beautifully illustrated board book. A young boy and his dog notice the first snowflake on a gray day and are convinced, ‘It’s snowing.’ But the cynical adults are not convinced until the blizzard leaves them covered in snow.”

“The sparse text supports the book’s simple theme. The young boy repeats his belief, ‘its snowing’ as various adults express their doubts, ‘It’s nothing,’ ‘It’ll melt.’ But Mother Nature has her way ‘as soon as one snowflake melts another takes its place’ and ‘all snowflakes know is snow, snow, snow,’ ‘Circling and swirling and twirling, dancing, playing there and there, falling, falling, everywhere.’’

“The pen and ink with watercolor drawings show a bleak, gray city at the beginning of a snowstorm. The boy and his dog are brightly colored in contrast. Author/illustrator Uri Shulevitz was awarded a Caldecott Honor for this book when it was first published in 1998. The Caldecott is awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished picture book for children.”

“Literature extensions about snow will continue the fun and learning with this book. Glue cotton balls, white rice, or white coffee filters onto blue paper to create your own snowstorm scene.”

“If there is snow on the ground, bring some inside and watch it melt in a waterproof container. Bundle up and take your child outside to experience together the magic of those first snowflakes tumbling down. When you come back inside, ask your child what she saw, smelled, touched and heard. Write down her answers to make your own ‘snow book.’”

Other parent educator favorites this month are: “The Mitten,” by Jan Brett, “The Snowy Day,” by Ezra Jack Keats, “Owl Moon,” by Jane Yolen, “Snowballs,” by Lois Ehlert and “Snowmen at Night,” by Caralyn and Mark Buehner.