First Snow

by Bomi Park

Look out. Now look up. From the sky one flake falls, then another. And just like that—it's snowing.

In this beautiful book from debut creator Bomi Park, a young girl wakes up to the year's first snowy day. From her initial glimpse out the window to her poignant adventures—rolling a snowman, making snow angels—the girl's quiet quests are ones all young readers will recognize. Simple, muted text and exquisite, evocative art conjure the excitement of a day spent exploring the wonder of snow—and the magic that, sometimes literally, such a day brings. As subtly joyful as a snow day itself, this book will find its home in the hearts of young adventurers everywhere.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Fiction, Christmas, Fantasy, Holiday

34 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

A lovely seasonal picture book about a little girl having a magical adventure in the snow whilst she builds a snowman.

The illustrations are magical, soft and subtle. They look as if they are pastel, paint and pencil on canvass, the black background is very nice for the snow scenes.

One slight downside for me is this is a book aimed at the very young and yet again(this happens in so many picture books) the little girl who is probably about 3 years old, sneaks off in the dark alone. I would rather the author had chosen to set this in the child's garden, this would be something parents could discuss but in a book for the very young I would rather this didn't happen.

[Abigail · Rating 3 out of 5]

Awakened by the pitter patter of snow striking her window, a young child heads out into the nighttime world in this lovely picture-book from South Korea, enjoying the first snow of the season. Rolling a snowball in the confines of her yard, the girl eventually rolls through the nearby woods, and into a field, where countless other children have come as well, rolling their own balls. It is a magical time, as the children build their snowmen...

Originally published in 2012 as 첫눈, and then translated into English in 2016, First Snow is author/illustrator Bomi Park's debut picture-book. Although not wordless, it is textually sparse, allowing the beautiful illustrations to tell most of the story. Mostly black and white and shades of gray, with some limited color accents - the girl's red scarf, and the red hats and scarves of the other children - the artwork here skillfully captures the wonder of the nighttime vista, and the enchantment of the first snowfall of the season. I loved the overall aesthetic of the book, with its quiet sense of wonder, and I appreciated some of the little details as well, particularly the little puppy that follows the girl on her nighttime adventure. Recommended to picture-book readers looking for winter-time picture-books for younger children, perhaps six years and under.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Snow is a story with simple text and cute illustrations about a little girl and the first snow of the year.

This is a book that should probably be read with children, as it depicts a very small child leaving her yard in the middle of the night, rolling a snowball through a city and woods populated by wild animals, and ending up in a field with a bunch of other children. There are hints at the end that this was a journey in her imagination only, but I'm not sure if all readers will pick up on that.

The illustrations—done in a limited colour palette of black, white, and red—are charming. I can see why the author/illustrator started out making greeting cards; the images in this book would lend themselves well to something like that.

Overall, this is simple but sweet. Make sure young children realize that the girl isn't actually cavorting in the woods with bears, though; this journey is purely in the imagination.

Quotable moment:

[Kendall · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely story and stunning illustrations that evoke the quiet serenity of winter at night and the excitement of the first snow. Magic!

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Magical!

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Originally published in South Korea, this lovely picture book relies on the contrast between light and dark tones and shades to tell the story of the first snow of the year, always a memorable experience no matter how old someone is. A little girl awakens to find snow flurries falling outside her window, gets dressed, heads outside, and then makes a snowball that she rolls across the yard, all the way into the woods and then into a clearing. There, she finds several other youngsters who have done the very same thing. The images are playful and imaginative, somehow capturing the magic and wonder of snow and the playful possibilities and connections it seems to offer. The language is sparing but lovely: "glistening, floating" (unpaged). This is the sort of book that readers will want to look at countless times, noticing or experiencing something slightly different each time they read it. This is a fantastic debut, and I eagerly await more of this author/illustrator's work.

[Bookishrealm · Rating 3 out of 5]

I randomly picked this one up when it was checked back into our library. I didn't dislike it but I also didn't enjoy it. The illustrations were beautiful and I loved that the book focused on utilizing black and white and the only pop of color was white. It made the book feel as though I was reading it during winter (even if I live in the South). However, I think that is book will be better known for it's illustrations opposed to the text simply because there wasn't much to really read. I don't know. I think that I'm honestly unsure of how to feel about this one.

[Julie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gorgeous. These may be my favorite illustrations from 2016. I especially like that the artist uses only black, white, and red, except for the little touch of brown on the calico cat and some of the animals in the forest. :)

[Alyson (Kid Lit Frenzy) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Think this got an extra star because I loved the illustrations

[KC · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding illustrations

[Ben Truong · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Snow is a children's picture book written and illustrated by Bomi Park. It centers on a little Korean child celebrating the titular first snow.

The text is rather simplistic and straightforward. With few unobtrustive words, the narrative in tandem with the illustrations evokes a world of enchantment of a first snowfall. The artwork recalls the child portraits of mid-20th-century artists, but gives them new dignity with a somber palette.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. A small child with rosy cheeks and straight hair stirs under her quilt as she hears a noise – it is snowing outside. Alone, she dresses in the velvety darkness and ventures outside, her red scarf the only note of color in the black-and-white spreads. Outside, the girl sets to work making a snowman, rolling a snowball along dense urban streets, through a field, and past an elevated train line. In the forest, she passes through a light-filled opening into a realm of snowy fantasy, arriving at a place where children rise into the sky to fly with the snowmen they've made.

All in all, First Snow is a wonderful story that captures the magical moment of the very first snowfall of the year.

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

While the world is sleeping, it begins to snow. A small girl hears it, sees it and puts on her snowsuit, hat and red scarf. In the yard, she makes a snowball and starts to roll it, followed behind by a small white puppy. The girl rolls and rolls her snowball, which grows and grows, going past some houses, and into the county, then, alongside a speeding train, through the woods and all the animals living there, finally arriving at a field full of other children building snowmen. But in the morning, outside the girl's house, stands a long snowman wearing a familiar red scarf. Was this all a dream? a wish? real? Young readers are left to decide for themselves. There is spare, simple text, making it ideal for the beginning reader, and the soft illustrations offer much to talk about. The illustrations were done on textured paper, with a variety of mediums, including acrylic paint and ink pastels, Park has really captured the beauty and gentleness of snow falling at night and the wonder of waking up to see it. This is such a magical story about the first snowfall of the winter.

[Stephanie Croaning · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a nearly wordless picture book that follows a young child as she awakens during the night to see that snow has fallen. She sneaks outside and creates a snowman. The illustrations are primarily black and white, with splashes of red for her scarf and mittens.

The child pushes her ball of snow through the town and into the forest, making it bigger and bigger. The story takes on a magical, dreamlike quality as she then encounters hundreds of other children who are all making snowmen in this wide field. As the snowmen are finished, they float into the air with the children. Was she dreaming the whole thing? The story ends with the girls snowman sitting in her backyard and her presumably back in her cozy bed.

The magical quality of the story and the beauty of the dreamy black and white illustrations combine very well to tell this intriguing story of a first snow. It is up to the reader to decide if magic happened, or if a dreamy child just imagined a magical adventure.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The black, white, and red paintings that illustrate the book not only help set the tone of winter and magic in the middle of the night but further the story as much as the brief text.

The story itself reminds me of the childhood wonder similar to boarding the Polar Express or stepping into Narnia.

I was excited to learn that this title was originally published in South Korea and just in the United States in 2016.

I plan to use this title for storytime in the future.

[Samantha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was perfect for reading to 2-5 year olds. They all enjoyed the story and the illustrations are very beautiful.

[Ashley Wesner · Rating 5 out of 5]

So wonderful! It's a joyous look at the first snowfall of the season. Love the splashes of colors. Reminiscent of Keats' Snowy Day.

[Kid Lit Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

A young girl hears the soft patter of snowflakes against her windowpanes. It is the First Snow of winter.Quietly, she puts on her snow gear and tip toes outside. There, she and her small pure white dog pat together a snowball; she then begins rolling it into a larger base for a snowman. Out her yard, the toddler rolls her snowball into a farm under the moon, faster now next to the train, and then into the woods—where a bear cub rolls a snowball of his own.

As the snowball gets bigger, the girl, still followed by her dog, rolls on through a cave—light appears ahead. She and her little dog finally enter the light of a meadow. Joining up with . . .

Originally reviewed at Kid Lit Reviews. To readthe full reviews and see illustrations, go to: http://bit.ly/FirstSnowDebut

[Mundie Moms & Mundie Kids · Rating 5 out of 5]

A heartwarming debut, that captures the magic of a child's first snow.

With beautiful illustrations, and a sweet story, readers will love the wonder, and adventure of First Snow. I love the simplicity of the story, and the illustrations. The black and white coloring with little bits of red, make for a timeless feel. Look closely at each of the illustrations, especially within the woodland scenes, because there just may be a few things hidden within the trees.

We absolutely love this book. It's one I would highly recommend picking up this holiday season! I look forward to reading more of Bomi Park's books.

http://mundiekids.blogspot.com/2016/1...

[CrystalIsReading on StoryGraph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captures the magic of snow and childhood wonder with beautifully simply artwork and writing. Translates beautifully from Korean, as the magic of children and snow transcends language and cultural barriers. A lovely choice for any adult reading to a young child.

[Joanne Roberts · Rating 2 out of 5]

Starts strong. Finishes in surreal style. Would have like to see one or the other. Felt off-balance. Cool black and white with limited color style, but not used to potential.

[Kirjapallo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute book. The ending was a bit weird, but maybe kids don't notice that the children are making snowmen in the sky... ;)

[Michele Knott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple text, but the real story is in the illustrations. The artwork is simply gorgeous. It warranted more than one reading for me.

[Evan · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is nothing more magical than the delicate falling of snowflakes.

[mairead! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gift from Moopsie! So beautiful. Loved the page with the elevated train and in the street between buildings especially. The glow of the snow!

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book about "First Snow" is made for young readers, depending on pictures, with very few words. Let's count that as the first form of sophistication within this creation.

All picture books simplify but this one cleverly combines two very different forms of sophistication. So, what's the second form of sophistication within this creation?

Pages make it seem as though it's an easy, natural sequence for a toddler (with nary a grownup in sight) to do things like the following:

1. Put on slow-appropriate clothing.
2. Discover how to make snowballs.
3. Discover how to roll snowballs, growing their size.
4. Find other petite persons, each with a snowball, there in a clearing with you, alone at night.
5. All the children are all happy, all focused, all clean, all fed, all master creators of snowmen.
6. Then they spontaneously start doing something else. In the sky. (No more hints, though. No spoilers from me, no no!)

BOTH FORMS OF SIMPLICITY WORK WELL TOGETHER

It's a neat trick. The visual simplicity makes it seem as though this impossible snow adventure happens in real time, with total ease and grace.

Well, that's the power of art. At least when cleverly done, as this is.

[Vernon Area Public Library KIDS · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's the first snow of the season and this little girl cannot wait to get outside. Bundling up, the little girl starts in her backyard with a small ball and roll, roll, rolls it through her city neighborhood, through the farm fields, and through the woods. Soon she comes across a clearing full of other children making snow people. Helping each other, the children make a whole village of snow people which then take flight, dancing in the sky. At this point, adults can be reassured that this little girl is having a fantastical dream (without adult supervision). But the last page depicts the little girl's backyard with a snow person perched next to the dog house. Which leaves us wondering: was it a dream?

Balanced between reality and a dream world, Park presents a winter story with more depth for a nice, snuggly read between adult and child.

Reviewed by: Miss Kelsey, Youth and School Services, Vernon Area Public Library

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age: Toddler-Preschool

It's the first snow of the season and this little girl cannot wait to get outside. Bundling up, the little girl starts in her backyard with a small ball and roll, roll, rolls it through her city neighborhood, through the farm fields, and through the woods. Soon she comes across a clearing full of other children making snow people. Helping each other, the children make a whole village of snow people which then take flight, dancing in the sky. At this point, adults can be reassured that this little girl is having a fantastical dream (without adult supervision). But the last page depicts the little girl's backyard with a snow person perched next to the dog house. Which leaves us wondering: was it a dream?

Balanced between reality and a dream world, Park presents a winter story with more depth for a nice, snuggly read between adult and child.

[Raven Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poetic story about the first snow fall and how magical it is to one child. Invokes The Snowman's "sneaking out" feeling and that nothing bad could happen. I did go back and look at the illustrations more closely as there are some hidden items/critters/etc. that I was wondering if were really there or the child's imagination (ie: her puppy turned in the polar bear). SPOILER of course, the odds the child rolls a snowball far enough to find a magical world with other children is very small, therefore, most of this is the imagination, but it is not necessarily off putting. This would be a fun large lap-sized board book, but works well in this smaller hardcover size.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have mixed feelings about the book. I liked the beautiful illustrations but I found the story a little random. A little girl decides to go out into the snow...even though it's nighttime...and rolls a snowball through multiple scenes like a cityscape, forest with animals, etc.? My 7-year old daughter kept saying, "Do her parents know she's out wandering around by herself in the middle of the night?" And then suddenly it's daytime and there are children everywhere playing in the snow. I realize maybe we are taking it too literally but it seemed strange.

[Jo Oehrlein · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the middle of the night it begins to snow and a child gets up, gets dressed, and goes out to play. She starts making a snowball that she rolls until it gets bigger and bigger and then big enough to be the base for a snowman.

There's one point where she is in the woods and then in a field with many other children, but at the end we see her snowman in the yard by the doghouse, so.....probably some imagination going on.

Not many words. Drawings mainly in black and white with a bit of accent color.