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Little Critter
Little Critter: Snowball Soup
Join Mercer Mayer's classic and beloved character, Little Critter®, on a snowy day full of fun in this My First I Can Read book!
When Little Critter, Little Sister, and Dog go out play in the snow, they decide to build a big snowman. But when it's time to go inside for lunch, the Critters decide to feed their new snowy friends, too! And what does a snowman like to eat? Snowball soup, of course....
Little Critter: Snowball Soup is a My First I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
When Little Critter, Little Sister, and Dog go out play in the snow, they decide to build a big snowman. But when it's time to go inside for lunch, the Critters decide to feed their new snowy friends, too! And what does a snowman like to eat? Snowball soup, of course....
Little Critter: Snowball Soup is a My First I Can Read book, which means it's perfect for shared reading with a child. Books at this level feature basic language, word repetition, and whimsical illustrations, ideal for sharing with emergent readers. The active, engaging stories have appealing plots and lovable characters, encouraging children to continue their reading journey.
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 25, 2007
78 people are currently reading
313 people want to read
About the author
Mercer Mayer
778 books791 followersMercer Mayer is an American children's author and illustrator. He has published over 300 books, using a wide range of illustrative styles. Mayer is best known for his Little Critter and Little Monster series of books.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
September 30, 2011
This book is crap, but ...
... my Scoutie loves it when I read it to her.
So I suck up my disdain. I become Little Critter and spew his drivel about snow and snowballs and dogs and snowmen and sisters and soup, and I make my girl smile.
And I find myself loving it in spite of myself.
Twenty years from now I will remember it fondly. Good job, Mercer Mayer. You win. You're shite but you win.
... my Scoutie loves it when I read it to her.
So I suck up my disdain. I become Little Critter and spew his drivel about snow and snowballs and dogs and snowmen and sisters and soup, and I make my girl smile.
And I find myself loving it in spite of myself.
Twenty years from now I will remember it fondly. Good job, Mercer Mayer. You win. You're shite but you win.
January 11, 2018
Fun in the snow with Little Critter, Little Sister, and Dog.
It's your basic Little Critter book.
With snow.
It's your basic Little Critter book.
With snow.
November 5, 2020
I love Mercer Mayer’s “Little Critter” books. This is a cute story of building a snowman with his little sister and dog. Great for winter weather.
January 26, 2013
We love Little Critter books here, so of course I couldn’t turn down a review opportunity. We received “Snowball Soup” which is one from the first reading level, Shared Reading. Honestly I didn’t even know that the Little Critter books came in different reading levels! We must have the higher levels; this one was very simple in comparison. My son always takes awhile to warm up to a new book, but it wasn’t too long before he grabbed the book and took off with it to study it by himself. Great for beginning readers! Our copy is signed by Mercer Mayer himself; this will be a treasure for years to come!
***Reviewed by Annne for New Age Mama***
***Reviewed by Annne for New Age Mama***
October 10, 2013
Another Mercer Mayer book that all my kids enjoyed. My 5 yr old just adores Mayer and requests her books constantly. I read them at the breakfast or lunch table and even my 3 yr old twins get into them. We love trying to find the mouse and spider that seems to follow the main character around, they’re always doing silly things. This one was a level 1 reader, so a little on the easy side, but still enjoyable. Fun engaging themes that any child can relate to, a great addition to any children's library.
August 12, 2011
The dog ate all the snowball soup. But it was not for the dog, it was for the snowman they made. They made a snowman by putting three snowballs on it. They ate soup, too, inside, but it was not snowball soup, it was just soup. - Felicity
December 7, 2009
A great book for beginning readers. Simple text and short sentences. The little critters have fun making snowball soup for their snowman :)
June 13, 2023
Imagination and adventure on a snow day
Little Critter and his sister are playing outside in the snow. Little Critter's sister suggests they build a snowman and bring him some snowball soup. So they set out to make a special treat for their new snowy friend.
They start by collecting snowballs to build the snowman's body. Once they put on his top hat, the snowman comes to life and agrees he would like some snowball soup! Little Critter and his sister gather a carrot for the nose, coal for the mouth, twigs for arms, and decorations to make the soup. They pretend to feed the snowman his special meal.
Afterwards, the snowman thanks them. Though Little Critter's sister worries he'll be hungry when he comes back to life, Little Critter reassures her they can make more snowball soup for him next winter. Their fun day playing in the snow comes to an end as they head inside for some hot cocoa.
July 30, 2017
A charming "My First" Reading book; has simple wording but sounds like a 'real' storybook. Your young reader will feel very special as they read this fun book. Little Critter and his Sister build a snowman and feeds him snowball soup.
January 4, 2021
You can’t go wrong with Mercer Mayer. This is a delightful, relatable read for kids. It’s been a great one to introduce to my emerging reader. The language is simple but the story is still one I don’t mind reading over and over. Makes me want to go out and build a snowman with my kids!
February 5, 2022
A Little Critter book that focuses on snow play. Little Critter, his sisters, and their dog play in the snow. They build a snowman and feed him snowball soup.
2022 storytime theme: snow books
Reviewed from a library copy.
2022 storytime theme: snow books
Reviewed from a library copy.
Read
January 24, 2019Self read 1/23/19
February 15, 2019
Easy to read. Winter story about making a snowman food. Critter, sister and the dog make their snowman some snowball soup. Then they have real warm soup inside themselves.
June 12, 2019
My parents tell me I made a snowman once.
May 12, 2020
soup always makes me warm and cozy ...different kind of soup. so cute. great illustrations.
April 4, 2021
What a great book
March 19, 2022
This is such a good book for small children who are learning how to read. I really liked the pictures, and I thought it did a good job of exploring the imagination of children.
June 27, 2022
The Boys loved this story on a hot summer day.
July 1, 2022
Snowball soup is very delightful, except the snowman doesn't get the soup and the dog gets in trouble for eating the snowball soup. The snowman looked really sad.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 17, 2022
I have. Few authors and illustrators that can do no wrong in my eyes. I also love stories with mischievous dogs. 🐶
May 24, 2024
Remember when kids used to play outside and use their imagination? This book reminds me of that. I hope we can still encourage our kids to go out and play, even when it’s so cold out.
January 15, 2025
Quite the turn, but the snowman was fed.
November 13, 2025
What would happen if a dog actually ate a bucket of snowballs?
May 10, 2015
I liked this book because I liked the cute story that was apart of it and the idea of the story as well. The story described step by step details of a typical snow day for children. It helped me remember my own snow days and all the fun I had whenever I could bundle up and participate in the multiple snow day activities I enjoyed.
I think this would be a good read aloud for students to introduce them to reading. Some students a teacher has had in the classroom may have never been introduced to reading before coming to school. This story would be a good story to read aloud to students to show to show them how with hard work and practice they can begin to start reading plenty of stories as well. This would also be a good story to read to students around christmas time or when the first snow comes on the ground. The teacher could have students create their own "snowball soup" by creating different snowballs, each student showing theirs to the class, and finally combining them all together to make the soup.
I think this would be a good independent reading for students in kindergarten who are just beginning to read as well. This story has words that students have typically heard before and can understand. By having students read this story they can feel comfortable with reading materials in their hands. This could also be a good story for students to connect to if they have ever had a snow day and done some of the same things the main characters have done. This can be making snowballs, playing with sibling, or even having a warm cup of soup on a cold day. If students can connect to the story they will enjoy the story even more.
Students who are reading beginner books should have plenty of pictures so they can get used to the idea of still having pictures but advancing to reading them on their own. They can start to focus on the idea of the story rather than just the pictures themselves. However, the story also does not have to many advanced words so the students can work with reading to make sure they can master reading at a low level and work to advance in their levels of reading.
I think this would be a good read aloud for students to introduce them to reading. Some students a teacher has had in the classroom may have never been introduced to reading before coming to school. This story would be a good story to read aloud to students to show to show them how with hard work and practice they can begin to start reading plenty of stories as well. This would also be a good story to read to students around christmas time or when the first snow comes on the ground. The teacher could have students create their own "snowball soup" by creating different snowballs, each student showing theirs to the class, and finally combining them all together to make the soup.
I think this would be a good independent reading for students in kindergarten who are just beginning to read as well. This story has words that students have typically heard before and can understand. By having students read this story they can feel comfortable with reading materials in their hands. This could also be a good story for students to connect to if they have ever had a snow day and done some of the same things the main characters have done. This can be making snowballs, playing with sibling, or even having a warm cup of soup on a cold day. If students can connect to the story they will enjoy the story even more.
Students who are reading beginner books should have plenty of pictures so they can get used to the idea of still having pictures but advancing to reading them on their own. They can start to focus on the idea of the story rather than just the pictures themselves. However, the story also does not have to many advanced words so the students can work with reading to make sure they can master reading at a low level and work to advance in their levels of reading.
March 28, 2012
Lastly, the third one in the Little Critter Collection: Contains Little Critter: Going to the Firehouse, Little Critter: Going to the Sea Park, and Little Critter: Snowball Soup box set.
This has to be my favorite of the Little Critter books that I've read so far. Even though right now the grass is green and the sky is blue, the cold days of winter are vivid in my mind. This one will be great next year while working with a snowman and winter theme. Fun and active Little Critter and Little Sister along with their dog and the snowman have an energetic time full of play. Reading aloud this was perfect for our storytime today and it has just the right amount of text and interest that AppleBlossom is already re-telling it to herself after one read.
*Thanks to HarperCollins for providing a copy for review.*
This has to be my favorite of the Little Critter books that I've read so far. Even though right now the grass is green and the sky is blue, the cold days of winter are vivid in my mind. This one will be great next year while working with a snowman and winter theme. Fun and active Little Critter and Little Sister along with their dog and the snowman have an energetic time full of play. Reading aloud this was perfect for our storytime today and it has just the right amount of text and interest that AppleBlossom is already re-telling it to herself after one read.
*Thanks to HarperCollins for providing a copy for review.*
October 19, 2015
Synopsis: "What does a snowman like to eat? Snowball soup, of course! Join Little Critter®, Little Sister, and Dog as they make their new friend a tasty treat."
My Review: Again we are big Little Critter fans and Munchkin loves snowmen. This is a great intro to reading for beginning readers. They sentences were simple with familiar and short words to read and sound out. The story was full of winter fun and silliness. Munchkin got a kick out of snowball soup for the snowman and now wants to make some too.
My Review: Again we are big Little Critter fans and Munchkin loves snowmen. This is a great intro to reading for beginning readers. They sentences were simple with familiar and short words to read and sound out. The story was full of winter fun and silliness. Munchkin got a kick out of snowball soup for the snowman and now wants to make some too.
January 23, 2011
Snowball Soup is Little Critter's debut "I Can Read!" book. Little Critter, Little Sister and tagalong Dog build a snowman. They decide to make lunch for the snowman but Dog can't resist a sample...or two! Luckily, there's lots more snow to cook with!
Children will love Mercer Mayer's vibrant illustrations. But, the text is written a bit too Dick-and-Jane-ish. Little Critter: The Fall Festival is a far more engaging "I Can Read!" book.
Children will love Mercer Mayer's vibrant illustrations. But, the text is written a bit too Dick-and-Jane-ish. Little Critter: The Fall Festival is a far more engaging "I Can Read!" book.
February 2, 2017
If you like Little Critter books (I don't), then this is a cute book about Little Critter and his sister finding something for their snowman to eat. However, it is pretty simplistic, as it should be for this age group. The illustrations are not as clearly done, or as attractive, as those in Paddington, Little Bear, Corduroy, and other children's series. A video of me reading this book for my grands is at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fzwzw....
January 17, 2013
A gift from Mima and Pap Pap. Chloe has been loving this book this winter - a winter she has had to live vicariously through this book as we still have not yet gotten enough snow to make a snowman or even good snowballs.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews