White Snow / Blue Feather

by Julie Downing

The wonders and vibrant colors of nature are revealed to a little boy as he explores the woods on a snowy day and encounters deer, rabbits, pine cones, trees, and feathers

Genres: Picture Books

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 30, 1989

About the author

Julie Downing is the illustrator of more than forty-five picture books and a professor of watercolor and children’s book illustration. She lives in California.

Reviews

[Lynn Plourde · Rating 4 out of 5]

A simple story about the wonders of nature

[David · Rating 3 out of 5]

White Snow, Blue Feather by Julie Downing follows a young boy's bird feeding trek into the woods, his encounters with animals, and the discovery of a feather.

Downing's illustrations are rendered in watercolor, and focus on the beautiful winterscape of the woods, and its animal residents. Animals, and human faces in particular, are realistically portrayed. Downing shows us deer, redstarts, finches, blue jays, squirrel, and rabbits. My favorite images are deer, breadcrumbs, squirrel, rabbit, shadows, gift, and final image.

I really appreciated details like the snow covered pumpkin on the porch, that protected space near the tree trunk under the branches, and the long shadows on the snow. The quiet joy of observing nature and an empathy for animals is effectively communicated in this story. Nature and animal study and themes can be explored with this book. My one complaint is that most running deer tend to have their tails up in the air. 3.5 star rating.

For ages 2.5 to 6, nature, seasons, winter, observation, animals, read-aloud, and fans of Julie Downing,

[Ileana Lindner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Title: White Snow, Blue Feather
Author: Julie Downing
Grades: 1st and 2nd

A science topic this literary book would fit is observations. This little girl takes the time to make observations about her world on a cold and snowy day. It is also a book that is suitable to teach with seasons and what type of weather comes with Winter.

[Deb · Rating 3 out of 5]

Considered for storytime, decided a little dated with a soft palette would translate well to group.

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

This simple story, of winter discoveries, speaks to me on some level. I have used it several times for winter toddler and story times, but misplaced it this year.