When Will It Snow?

by Syd Hoff, Mary Chalmers (Illustrator)

Now that it is winter, Billy frequently asks his mother when the snow will arrive.

Genres: Childrens

Hardcover

First published December 31, 1971

About the author

Whether you’re seven or seventy, the chances are you’ve probably come in contact with one of his many books (150 plus), or cartoons that have appeared in over 200 magazines in the course of his lifetime, including Laugh it Off which was syndicated for 20 years. His comic strip Tuffy, about a little girl who did funny things, was declared essential for national morale during WWII by William Randolph Hearst.

Syd has worked in diverse genres. He had the distinct honor of working with Alfred Hitchcock and Ellery Queen as a contributor of short fiction writing. He was awarded national advertising commissions for large companies such as Chevrolet, Maxwell House Coffee and others. He had his own TV show (Tales of Hoff on CBS), traveled the world as entertainment on cruise ships and entertained children and teachers in schools and libraries across the country.

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Friends, I have a very cool story for you.

As a little girl, a very little girl, this was my favorite book.

I lost all my childhood books due to a flood in my parents’ basement a long time ago. I had none left but my Shel Silverstein that my mom had clearly held in safe keeping somewhere.

Over the years I’ve been replacing the books I lost and still remember. Dr Seuss is not so hard. Cassie’s Magic Flowers took a bit more work. Peppermint I found at a book sale for a quarter.

When Will it Snow has been my holy grail. I’ve looked all over God’s green acres for this book and never found it.
I started to think I must have the name wrong.
I could still picture the dark blue cover. I could half picture the last page in the book and I remember loving the illustrations.

But I was stuck and hadn’t looked for awhile.

A conversation with my friends John and Tionna caused the book to come up again. Tionna went off on a hunt and she actually found it on EBay! I have looked there many a time of the years. And I had the name right all along. Turned out I just needed a friend’s help and some good luck! Cause it isn’t easy finding a book that came out *before you were born* and is no longer in publication.

I gave this book a little hug when it arrived today. I felt like I’d reunited with a childhood friend.

I am not overstating this. Maybe it’s part of what makes me appreciate Christmas books so much as an adult.

[MK · Rating 4 out of 5]

The main character, Billy, is looking forward to the snow in the middle of winter.
The city is hit by a heavy snowstorm, and plants and animals are hibernating.

And as people were decorating their Christmas trees, beautiful snow fell from the windows.

I was able to feel the peaceful atmosphere, the warmth of family, and the beauty of winter in my ordinary daily life.

Many of the illustrations drawn by picture book authors in the 1970s are beautiful.

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was originally published in 1971; which was before the "I Can Read" series books. But this book I would categorize as one of those. As the wording were easy and had repeatative phrases. So young readers once they read it on one page could repeat the same words and raise their self esteem by being able 'to read by themselves'. This is about a little boy that can't wait until it snows. He sees the various things that lead toward winter and even Christmas and keeps asking when will it snow. A delightful little book. My granddaughter and I enjoyed this book together.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I turned this book into a readers theater for 3-4 voices to use with my students. They love it!