Cold

by Tim McCanna, Ramona Kaulitzki (illustrator)

This lyrical environmental picture book introduces readers to some of the most beautiful and fascinating cold climate creatures and habitats all over the world.Cold is a morning dappled in dew; an ocean, swirling and deep; a desert shrouded by night; and tiny tracks on hills of snow. No matter where or how, life finds a way even in the coldest weather. From an octopus to an arctic hare, meet animals who thrive in chilly environments and learn about the climate phenomena that shape their homes.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Animals, Environment, Poetry, Storytime

40 pages, Hardcover

Published November 5, 2024

Reviews

[Samantha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures and story!!! Very well done!

[Book Nerds In MN · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm kind of surprised at the average rating of this book. I just read it today while working at the bookstore and I think it's a beautiful children's book, beautiful illustration and some fun facts at the end. Would be great for a cold winter day kids read!

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cold uses beautiful metaphors and similes to highlight the variety of places and circumstances that cold can appear. "Under an ocean swirling and deep, a host of inhabitants hover and creep." Creatures found in many habitats such as mountains or oceans or forests experience cold is different ways whether through "a whisper, a howl, or a hum". The lovely digital art combined with the poetic text creates a book of great beauty. A book that could easily inspire young writers to write their own comparisons and remind readers that life finds a way to exist in even the coldest of places.

[Kathy Temean · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful book makes me shiver with joy. Each page has a rhyming poem about the cold and a gorgeous illustration by Romona Kaulitzki. Children will love the rhyme and seeing the animals in their habitat.

The title page shows a tufted titmouse perched on a dried-out dead weed and goes on to show a cold morning meadow sunrise with deer, then a hawk braving the chill of a midwinter’s day looking for prey and two trout or salmon swimming in a cold rushing river. Deep in the ocean, an Octopus, a crab, and starfish roam around in the cold, while high on a forest hill, a Cheeta crunches the leaves lying frozen and still. Bats chirp in a cavern far below ground.

Readers will find horses outside in a snowy corral next to a meadow with a hollowed-out log and a family of raccoons snuggled inside. Up in the Arctic, we see a polar bear, some sea otters lounging on icebergs, and a giant whale below in the icy water of the Arctic. Then, it is off the cold desert at night, and I find a wolf prowling in the shimmery light. Now, a bluebird wings through snowflakes and dances with the wind. A deer and some rabbits forge through the blanket of snow, looking for food. Close to the end, children will see a little boy sitting on a snow-covered hill and throwing a ball to his dog. Later that night, the little boy and his dog follow Mom and Dad up the hill and watch the Northern lights.

The last scene is a picture-perfect snow-covered winter scene with snow-covered mountains, a frozen river, deer in the snow-blanketed meadow, and a rabbit hopping through the snow. The reader sees Mom and the little boy walking the dog and a little just finishing a snowman in the background.

A parent can use every page to initiate a conversation with their child. Kids will love the rhyme and surely come back to visit all the animals inside, puffing their chests out when they can recite their names.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

Appealing realistic illustrations accompany short poems of a 5-4-11-syllable pattern with an ABB rhyming scheme, most of which relate to an aspect of cold. For example, “Cold is a forest/high on a hill,/the crackle of leaves lying frozen and still.” Most illustrations depict animals; those with people represent diverse skin tones and hair textures with appropriate clothing for the cold. Back matter includes paragraphs with the following titles: What is cold? What causes cold temperatures? Do animals feel cold? Why is winter necessary? What is climate change? How does climate change affect animals? What can YOU do to help combat climate change? There is no bibliography or works cited section. The cover is enhanced with a metallic effect. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has a lot of nature illustrations of different cold environments, including snow, deserts, rivers, and caves. Illustrations sprawl across the whole page and the cover is attractive to kids, as it is a bit shiny. Showcases different animals and wildlife in those environments. A bit lyrical, with 3 lines of text per page describing the environment and the cold. At the end of the book, there is a definition of cold and information on the different environments. Good for 1st grade storytimes? They told my partner librarian "This book was short!"

[Nicole Miller · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
 
           Why does it get cold and why is it important? This is a great book for the introduction of the concept of coldness and why it is important not only to the Earth but all of us on it (I always remind people the colder it is in winter, the less bugs in summer!). There is wonderful backmatter in this book to answer these questions and to get kids interested in the importance of cold and danger of climate change.

[Carol Foote · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really beautiful book with lovely, rhyming text and gorgeous illustrations. A wonderful read-aloud, covering a variety of cold environments—meadow, mountain, river, forest, cavern, desert, and others—and animals that live in them. The text and illustrations have a gentle, lovely feel with the ultimate message that “life finds a way.” Interesting back matter about cold, what causes cold temperatures, animals in the cold, etc. A good cuddle-up-and-read-together book.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many different animals experience cold weather, bats in a cave, sea life under water, fish in a river, rabbits and many others.

Rhyming text balanced the lovely illustrations. The whole book can be read in a quiet whisper. A great winter story. Includes back matter about cold, animals in the cold and even why we have winter - plus notes about climate change.

[Roben · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book explores the many different things -and places- that can be cold in nature.

There is some scientific information about cold and winter included in the back along with facts on how climate change and how that can impact cold and winter.

[Patricia J. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetry in a picture book --perfect rhyme. McCanna weaves magic in an exploration of what cold is -- A beautifully lyrical journey through mountains, oceans, deserts, caves. Illustrations give a dreamy, magical quality.

[Michele Knott · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book about the environment and climate change as much as it is about winter weather. Don't miss the author's note in the back.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/3

A great poem about the cold and nature.

[Holly Wagner · Rating 2 out of 5]

Rhyming book about cold throughout the world. The rhyming works. It flows well and has a good balance of poetry and information. The illustrations didn't quite match the power of the poem.

[Bonnie Thrasher · Rating 3 out of 5]

The cover is gorgeous. I’m not sure the text will be engaging for its intended audience.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

Descriptions of "cold." I particularly liked the back matter, which explains what cold is and why it is important.

[Jayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

All over the place, and not imaginative. Pretty good illustrations.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Vibrant images that show the crisp, natural beauty found in cold places. Rhyming, lyrical text describes the different things "cold is" for animals in different cold places around the world.

[Danita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with a great nonfiction page on cold at the end of the book. This book also explores many facets of cold that children might not always consider like deep in the ocean.

[Marti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful picture book showing different cold weather animals and activities. Gorgeous pictures. Text might be long for new readers but great for read-alouds.

[Judy Ripke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations with poetic text. I also appreciated the end notes.

[Angela De Groot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poetic text coupled with stunning illustrations highlight different environments all over the world that experience cold weather and where life flourishes.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful language and illustrations.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is very lovely and would lend itself to poetry and art lessons.

[Annie · Rating 4 out of 5]

5/5 illustrations
3/5 interest in story

[Emma Land · Rating 4 out of 5]

story time book!

very cute and fitting for the season