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The Little Snowplow (Paperback) by Lora Koehler & Jake Parker 2016
new
32 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 13, 2015
6 people are currently reading
178 people want to read
About the author
Lora Koehler
3 books3 followersLora Koehler is an author and children’s librarian. She lives near the mountains, in Salt Lake City, Utah, where snowplows of all sizes come in handy.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews
October 28, 2017
A great story about having faith in Yourself and Self-esteem.
The big trucks keep telling the little snowplow he can't be much help in a storm. Little Snowplow doesn't listen and knows this is what he was made for. When the storm comes, it's Little Snowplow to the rescue.
My niece got this book new today. She liked the story and wasn't crazy about it either. Still, it's a good story with a great message.
The big trucks keep telling the little snowplow he can't be much help in a storm. Little Snowplow doesn't listen and knows this is what he was made for. When the storm comes, it's Little Snowplow to the rescue.
My niece got this book new today. She liked the story and wasn't crazy about it either. Still, it's a good story with a great message.
December 12, 2015
One can practically guess the storyline of The Little Snowplow based solely on the title. Indeed, it follows in the tradition of many earlier "Little" stories . . .
The Little Engine that Could
,
The Pokey Little Puppy
,
The Little Red Caboose
, and
Little Toot
to name a few. However, I thought this version was a great variation on the theme of not letting others prejudge you, overcoming adversity, or proving one's mettle - however you sum it up. The illustrations are really marvelous as well, not going overboard with the anthropomorphism. The story does rely a bit on some familiarity with snowfall or blizzards in order to fully comprehend the degree of adversity faced by The Little Snowplow.
December 8, 2015
This book tells the story of a little snowplow on Mighty Mountain Road Crew. When the little snowplow first arrives, all of the big trucks seemed to judge the little snowplow and they told it to leave the heavy lifting to them. As the seasons progress, the little snow plow finishes small tasks, such as moving fall leaves into a pile, while the big trucks complete much larger tasks such as building roads. By the time winter comes along, the little snowplow is so excited to see snow, but all all the big trucks destroy that excitement. However, the little snow plow has determination and he keeps preparing for the snow. The story goes on to explain how when the snow finally starts to fall, one of the big trucks get trapped in an avalanche and it no other than the little snowplow who rescues the big dump truck. All of the big trucks go on to congratulate the little snowplow.
This book is a simple story about how size truly does not matter. Everyone should be accepted by one another and given the same opportunities. The illustrations are very detailed and accurately allow the reader to see the emotions of the little snowplow. The illustrations also enhance the story by expressing details such as the amount of snow that is falling. This is a fun, simple book that would be great for teaching young children about acceptance.
This book is a simple story about how size truly does not matter. Everyone should be accepted by one another and given the same opportunities. The illustrations are very detailed and accurately allow the reader to see the emotions of the little snowplow. The illustrations also enhance the story by expressing details such as the amount of snow that is falling. This is a fun, simple book that would be great for teaching young children about acceptance.
January 4, 2016
Synopsis: "Big trucks may brag and roar, but small and steadfast wins the day in this cheerful story with timeless appeal.
On the Mighty Mountain Road Crew, the trucks come in one size: BIG. That is, until the little snowplow joins the crew. None of the other trucks think that the little snowplow can handle the big storms, but he knows that he can do it—and just to be sure, he trains hard, pushing loads of gravel, pulling blocks of concrete, and doing plow lifts to get ready. But when a blizzard arrives, will the little snowplow’s training be enough to clear the streets and handle unexpected trouble?"
My Review: This is a cute snow version of the old tale about the little guy getting the job done and not letting the big guys get him down. This time it is just a little snowplow that has a big job to do when the snow starts falling. Munchkin loves all things trucks and he really enjoyed this story. He definitely retained a little of the story and went on to tell Daddy all about how the little snowplow was able to do things the big dump truck couldn't do.
On the Mighty Mountain Road Crew, the trucks come in one size: BIG. That is, until the little snowplow joins the crew. None of the other trucks think that the little snowplow can handle the big storms, but he knows that he can do it—and just to be sure, he trains hard, pushing loads of gravel, pulling blocks of concrete, and doing plow lifts to get ready. But when a blizzard arrives, will the little snowplow’s training be enough to clear the streets and handle unexpected trouble?"
My Review: This is a cute snow version of the old tale about the little guy getting the job done and not letting the big guys get him down. This time it is just a little snowplow that has a big job to do when the snow starts falling. Munchkin loves all things trucks and he really enjoyed this story. He definitely retained a little of the story and went on to tell Daddy all about how the little snowplow was able to do things the big dump truck couldn't do.
December 19, 2015
It's the standard "Little [something] that Could" story, this time with trucks.
Unfortunately, the illustrator has never seen a snowplow before (at least not like the ones I see every winter). This little snowplow can only push stuff straight ahead, whereas all the plows I've seen push stuff to the side. I've also never seen a snowplow that's actually a bulldozer, either, but maybe they do things differently in Mighty Mountain.
At any rate, the story of perseverance is always a good one, and this story has the bonus of showing the little snowplow working on his skills and "lifting weights," so he doesn't save the day simply by the power of positive thinking.
Unfortunately, the illustrator has never seen a snowplow before (at least not like the ones I see every winter). This little snowplow can only push stuff straight ahead, whereas all the plows I've seen push stuff to the side. I've also never seen a snowplow that's actually a bulldozer, either, but maybe they do things differently in Mighty Mountain.
At any rate, the story of perseverance is always a good one, and this story has the bonus of showing the little snowplow working on his skills and "lifting weights," so he doesn't save the day simply by the power of positive thinking.
March 3, 2016
The boys and I really wanted to give this book four and a half stars. Cute play on the little engine that could story. Perfect read for our current weather!
December 19, 2023
Read this one to Camden! Really cute story 🤍
January 2, 2022
3.5 stars
Nice art and good (if an oft told) story. The nephew was interested (and while he is keen on vehicles in general) that is still a high mark in its favor.
Nice art and good (if an oft told) story. The nephew was interested (and while he is keen on vehicles in general) that is still a high mark in its favor.
December 17, 2015
Excerpted from a review on my blog,
Nine Pages
.
The little snowplow is picked on by the larger trucks. He works hard to make himself strong. He exercises daily and pushes himself to lift and pull and push more and heavier weights. When the snows come, the little snowplow is sent out and the snow is too much for him, despite all that he’s done to strengthen himself. Help—a dump truck—has to be called in, and the dump truck complains about having to do work that it feels is the snowplow’s responsibility. But when an avalanche stops the dump truck, only the snowplow is small enough to get in to help the dump truck, so he stops clearing the roads to help this larger truck that has been mean to him, that has grumbled about having to help the snowplow. The snowplow proves himself not only useful but also compassionate, kind, and forgiving. The dump truck and snowplow finish clearing the streets and everyone cheers. They cheer not because the snowplow proved the big trucks wrong by clearing the streets himself—in fact the trucks are proved right and the snowplow does have to accept help—which he does with good grace—but the trucks cheer because he was kind.
This is a great boys’ book for that reason. The snowplow is not a macho, by-your-own-bootstraps plow; it cannot be, and that’s okay because not all men are macho. It proves that not all men must be macho to have worth.
The kids in my audience picked up too on the moral of don’t be mean to little people and mentioned it themselves afterwards without being prompted.
There is mention of a big, female snowplow that retired to Florida, and I like to think that this is a reference to Burton’s Katy, but that was set in Geoppolis, and this is in Mighty Mountain.
This book more fully earns its
The little snowplow is picked on by the larger trucks. He works hard to make himself strong. He exercises daily and pushes himself to lift and pull and push more and heavier weights. When the snows come, the little snowplow is sent out and the snow is too much for him, despite all that he’s done to strengthen himself. Help—a dump truck—has to be called in, and the dump truck complains about having to do work that it feels is the snowplow’s responsibility. But when an avalanche stops the dump truck, only the snowplow is small enough to get in to help the dump truck, so he stops clearing the roads to help this larger truck that has been mean to him, that has grumbled about having to help the snowplow. The snowplow proves himself not only useful but also compassionate, kind, and forgiving. The dump truck and snowplow finish clearing the streets and everyone cheers. They cheer not because the snowplow proved the big trucks wrong by clearing the streets himself—in fact the trucks are proved right and the snowplow does have to accept help—which he does with good grace—but the trucks cheer because he was kind.
This is a great boys’ book for that reason. The snowplow is not a macho, by-your-own-bootstraps plow; it cannot be, and that’s okay because not all men are macho. It proves that not all men must be macho to have worth.
The kids in my audience picked up too on the moral of don’t be mean to little people and mentioned it themselves afterwards without being prompted.
There is mention of a big, female snowplow that retired to Florida, and I like to think that this is a reference to Burton’s Katy, but that was set in Geoppolis, and this is in Mighty Mountain.
This book more fully earns its
January 4, 2016
The little snowplow is very excited to be working on the Mighty Mountain Road Crew. But all the other trucks that work on the crew are different from the little snowplow because they are BIG. They don’t think that the little snowplow will be able to do much of anything because he is so small. Before winter comes, while the big trucks are doing cool things like building roads and clearing mudslides, the little snowplow is clearing streams and piling leaves. The little plow is very excited for the snow to come and does all sorts of training to get ready for it, even though the big trucks think he won’t be able to do much on his own. Sure enough, when the snow comes, the little snowplow gets to go to work, but the snow quickly becomes a very big job that needs extra help. In addition to the snowstorm, something happens during the plowing job, an emergency that one truck can help fix: the little snowplow! Because he is so small he can do things that the big trucks can’t and proves that, just because you’re small, it doesn’t mean you can’t help out in big ways. This book is a great one to help teach kids that size doesn’t matter; if you set your mind to something, you can do it, even if other people think you can’t. It’s a good lesson in trying hard and never giving up. The pictures are great and the expressions of the different trucks and the little snowplow are very nicely done and entertaining. There are some possibly difficult words throughout the story that might be a challenge for younger readers such as ‘traction’, ‘debris’, and ‘repositioned’, though this might not be a concern for every reader. This book is wonderful, very sweet, and full of good lessons for kids. I loved it!!
December 24, 2015
This is a trimmed down version of my review, to view the full review visit The Book Ramble.
This book was provided by Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The Little Snowplow tells the story of a little snowplow everyone believes is out of his depth when he starts working in a mountain town. It's a cute story in the same vein as classics like Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel that teaches kids to always believe in themselves and that they can do anything if they set their minds to it. The new picture book features adorable art and a cute lead character.
I don't think this is altogether a new idea, but it's a good message to reinforce so I don't take issue with the content. I think it was well told, and I think kids would love to join in on the little snowplows beeps throughout the book. Design-wise I think the snowplow is pretty cute, and would be a popular character, I think his smile is a little scary but that might just be me.
Overall I really liked the art, there's something very classic and adorable about it. I think it really suited the story and made for some great holiday season reading. I highly recommend this book!
This book was provided by Random House Canada in exchange for an honest review.
The Little Snowplow tells the story of a little snowplow everyone believes is out of his depth when he starts working in a mountain town. It's a cute story in the same vein as classics like Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel that teaches kids to always believe in themselves and that they can do anything if they set their minds to it. The new picture book features adorable art and a cute lead character.
I don't think this is altogether a new idea, but it's a good message to reinforce so I don't take issue with the content. I think it was well told, and I think kids would love to join in on the little snowplows beeps throughout the book. Design-wise I think the snowplow is pretty cute, and would be a popular character, I think his smile is a little scary but that might just be me.
Overall I really liked the art, there's something very classic and adorable about it. I think it really suited the story and made for some great holiday season reading. I highly recommend this book!
April 22, 2016
This book is shares the story of a little snowplow. None of the big trucks think that the little snowplow is capable of doing much, especially plowing through snow. However, this does not discourage the little snowplow as he is determined to train hard and prepare himself for when the snow falls down. The little snowplow does just that and proves to everybody that he can be a hero when he saves a truck from being buried in an avalanche.
The illustrations in this story and bright and detailed as you can clearly see the facial expressions on the trucks. I think that this is a great book to share with students to help remind them that they are capable of doing anything that they set their mind to as long as they work there hardest and never give up, just like the little snowplow did.
The illustrations in this story and bright and detailed as you can clearly see the facial expressions on the trucks. I think that this is a great book to share with students to help remind them that they are capable of doing anything that they set their mind to as long as they work there hardest and never give up, just like the little snowplow did.
November 20, 2015
In this cute story a small blue snow plow has to prove his capabilities when he sets out to work with the Mighty Mountain Road Crew.
To prepare the "little uno plow" gives himself a workout before the first big snow fall. He does fall clean ups and moves heavy concrete to prove to the bigger trucks he can handle a big blizzard.
In the spirit of "The Little Engine That Could", persistence pays off for the little blue snow plow.
The illustrations are terrific and there are plenty of trucks and visuals to entertain little ones. The snow plow has eyes for headlights and the grill for a mouth. Kids should enjoy this one.
To prepare the "little uno plow" gives himself a workout before the first big snow fall. He does fall clean ups and moves heavy concrete to prove to the bigger trucks he can handle a big blizzard.
In the spirit of "The Little Engine That Could", persistence pays off for the little blue snow plow.
The illustrations are terrific and there are plenty of trucks and visuals to entertain little ones. The snow plow has eyes for headlights and the grill for a mouth. Kids should enjoy this one.
November 7, 2015
I liked this story with the message that you can do whatever you put your mind to (and prepare for), regardless of what other people might say. I love that the Little Snowplow could rise above without mouthing off or arguing with the bigger trucks. He just believed in himself, prepared, and did what he could do. Definitely a story I could share with my students. Little kids who love trucks will love this one.
November 10, 2015
Another mediocre book about how everyone underestimates the small people (or animate objects) bc they're small, but the small ppl (or animate objects) prove themselves by doing only something that small ppl (or animate objects) can.
Could have been cooler (bad pun) if not everyone was a dude truck or foreman, but aside from a mention of the previous (large) lady snowplow who retired to Florida, no other female-identifying ppl (or animate objects) here!
Could have been cooler (bad pun) if not everyone was a dude truck or foreman, but aside from a mention of the previous (large) lady snowplow who retired to Florida, no other female-identifying ppl (or animate objects) here!
November 18, 2015
This winter-weather, hard-working twist on THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD offers young readers an admirable role model in a little snowplow with dreams of greatness. He invests time and energy into practice and preparation, he persists in the face of ridicule. Kids root for the little guy, believe in him every turn of the tire, and chime in with this onomatopoetic utterances. This could almost make snowstorms appealing!
November 28, 2015
Grades K-2. Katy and the snowplow gets and update. Little snowplow gets all the small jobs during the year-- clearing leaves, etc. But he works hard leading up to winter with extra lifting and pulling.
Finally the snow arrives. The other trucks think he can't hack it, but his little-ness ends up being his strength.
Message of Perseverance and preparation.
Finally the snow arrives. The other trucks think he can't hack it, but his little-ness ends up being his strength.
Message of Perseverance and preparation.
December 18, 2015
The little snowplow is bullied by the bigger trucks until his small size is beneficial in rescuing a big truck. A classic "I think I can" tale, where Little Snowplow thinks he can clear snow just as good as a bigger truck even though the others don't think so. He proves himself when the opportunity arises.
January 1, 2016
Little Snowplow is not allowed to go out with the big trucks when the snow comes. He's been exercising to increase his size and strength. What he does not realize that his little size is needed when Dump Truck gets caught in the snow. Delightful and fun. Shows what you can do when you are determined. Also shows that sometimes being small is just right.
January 3, 2016
Very The Little Engine that Could, but the snowplow is really cute. The lesson of hard work and determination despite what others think is still a valuable lesson. I love that the little snowplow turns out to be exactly what was needed. Despite being predictable it was still a great lesson with transportation characters my 3 in a half year old son loves!
December 14, 2016
I am giving it a 3 because it has kid appeal--as in "machines!" This is yet another riff on The Little Engine That Could, but the language is rather stilted and flat. Mediocre, but bound to be popular.
February 20, 2016
This may have gotten a bonus star because I'm a New Englander ;-) The story was cute, and I enjoyed the illustrations. It wasn't an especially original plot and I wouldn't rate it to high on adult appeal, but it is a sweet story for little ones, especially boys who love trucks. Recommend for a snowy day.
February 7, 2017
My boys love this one. Of course all books with machines are great, and this one felt similar to Super Truck! We did notice the dump truck is illustrated without his plow in the last few pages which seems like an error and will probably be the cause of much discussion every time we read it ("maybe will put it in the back of the dump truck, etc.")
November 24, 2015
It's a picture book about a snowplow that is little and cute (the snowplow, that is; the book is more lengthy than you'd think). The Little Snowplow never achieves the awesomeness of Supertruck, but then, it isn't trying to. That's part of the charm.
June 28, 2016
Another take on the little but strong and mighty theme using talking machines. The other vehicles in the town fleet don't think the snowplow is big enough, but little snowplow is put to the test and succeeds. Text does not flow easily.
December 2, 2015
Very cute story which I'm sure will become a favorite in many households!
December 4, 2015
Much like The Little Engine That Could, this gem of a book will steal your heart. The Little Snowplow is adorable. Loved the illustrations!
January 8, 2016
The illustrations were my favorite part about this book. Though yes, the little snow plow does show great perseverance in not giving up when the going got tough.
July 31, 2016
The Little Snowplow by Lora Koehler, Jake Parker was a cute and classic tale about how size doesn’t matter. The illustrations here are innovative!
April 19, 2016
Predictable. Will appeal to Thomas the Tank and Bob the Builder fans, but offers nothing new. Attractive illustrations with interesting points of view. Typical little character can-do story.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 103 reviews