A Starlit Snowfall

by Nancy Willard, Jerry Pinkney (Illustrator)

"My cave is big enough for two!" a bear declares to a rabbit, inviting his small friend to share his den through the longest, coldest season. The rabbit readily accepts the bear's offer, but no sooner have the two curled up than the lively rabbit jumps up to Wouldn't it be better to be out in the crisp winter air, free to leap through the starlight and the sparkling snow?

In this paperback reissue of a long out-of-print winter tale (originally titled A Starlit Somersault Downhill ), Caldecott Medal winner Jerry Pinkney's rich watercolors create a cozy winter world that perfectly complements Newbery Medal winner Nancy Willard's charming poetry.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens

32 pages, Library Binding

First published November 7, 2011

About the author

NANCY WILLARD was an award-winning children's author, poet, and essayist who received the Newbery Medal in 1982 for A Visit to William Blake's Inn. She wrote dozens of volumes of children's fiction and poetry, including The Flying Bed, Sweep Dreams, and Cinderella's Dress. She also authored two novels for adults, Things Invisible to See and Sister Water, and twelve books of poetry, including Swimming Lessons: New and Selected Poems. She lived with her husband, photographer Eric Lindbloom, and taught at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quiet book about a bear and rabbit at the end of fall.
The book is more of an illustrated poem, then a modern picture book.
It would make a great bedtime poem.

[wildct2003 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good pictures, ok story

[Two BookWorms Blog · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Starlit Snowfall is a book to enjoy for its beautiful, poetic text.

For the full review: https://twobookwormsblog.wordpress.co...

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had thought this was related to A Starlit Somersault Downhill, but did not realize it was a reprint.

It's fine. Lovely pictures.

[Margaret Chind · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nancy Willard seems to be quite the poet as is proven by her Newberry Medal for A Visit to William Blake's Inn: Poems for Innocent and Experienced Travelers. Within the pages of A Starlit Snowfall she provides such rhythm and rhyme to tease and entertain th senses which makes this book a delight to read aloud. With the pictures from one of my favorite artists Jerry Pinkney, minutes are sure to pass unwittingly as the imagination is captured and taken to a snowy wintery land unknown in nature.

Where previously published in hardcover in 1993 as A Starlit Somersault Downhill, parents like myself can take something from my elementary years to share with my children. Reading through this book with my daughter my imagination is tempted with the hussle of a restless rabbit as he goes forth to adventure and I can only assume AppleBlossom is intrigued as well considering she will not let the book go back on the shelf.

Definitely one for the "R" shelf and perhaps "season-winter" as well.

*Thanks to Little Brown & Co for providing a copy for review.*

Originally posted: http://creativemadnessmama.com/blog/2...

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bear invites her friend the rabbit to share her den through the winter. She promises a warm cave with a bed made of moss and marsh grass.

Rabbit snuggles down beside the bear, but cannot sleep. The winter offers more than cold. She misses the crisp winter air, playing in the snow and the taste of snowflakes on her tongue.

This is a reissue of Newbery Medal winner Nancy Willard's picture book, A Starlit Somersault Downhill. Her poetry creates a mood of joyful playfulness and Jerry Pinkney's watercolors are superb as always.

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautiful illustrated story that follows a hare who wants nothing more than to run and hop through the approaching winter, rather than laying in a cave with his friend bear. While I was reading this, I swear this is a story I read when I was younger, and in looking into this story I found this is a re-issue of a long out of print classic tale. It's a wonderful story with some fabulous illustrations.

[Jean V. Naggar Literary · Rating 5 out of 5]

“In gossamer lyric verse, delicate as early snow, a whimsical tale of a reluctant rabbit...Delectable.” --Kirkus, starred review

“Willard's typically sophisticated language gains meaning through repeated readings, and her sonorous rhyming couplets impart liveliness to nature's sleeping seasons.” --Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Graceful in both picture and word, this creates a mood that transcends the intricacies of the text.” --Booklist

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter and I enjoyed reading this story in rhyme. The big bear must sleep the winter away, but bunny decided he needed to dance and run until the green returns and the rivers run. Sweet.

[Buxmont Uu]

CC 19

[Meghan Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this book! The illustrations are stunning, and enhance the story completely. The wording is beautiful with a rhyme and gentle tale of preparing for winter's freeze.