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The First Day of Winter
From renown picture book author Denise Fleming, a cozy, cumulative book to warm a cold winter day
Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend. This cumulative tale will have children chanting along as they discover all the trimmings needed for the most perfect snowman ever!
Alive with swirling snow and lots of outdoor fun, the first ten days of winter bring special gifts for a special friend. This cumulative tale will have children chanting along as they discover all the trimmings needed for the most perfect snowman ever!
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2005
10 people are currently reading
331 people want to read
About the author
Denise Fleming
41 books79 followersDenise Fleming has written and illustrated many children’s picture books, including In the Tall, Tall Grass, Shout! Shout It Out!, and Sleepy, Oh So Sleepy. She won a Caldecott Honor for In the Small, Small Pond. Denise creates her colorful illustrations by pouring colored paper pulp through hand-cut stencils. She lives in Toledo, Ohio.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
December 21, 2021
lovely story with winterly illustrations about a little boy who starts decorating his best friend "Snowman" on the first day of winter with a red cap with a gold snap, bright blue mittens, stripped scarves, prickly pinecones, birdseed pockets, tiny twigs, maple leaves, orange berries, big black buttons and salty beannuts,
And his best friend "Snowman" became very happy ☃️
Such a warm friendship story fits the warmth of winter, loved it 🧡🤎
21.12.2021
And his best friend "Snowman" became very happy ☃️
Such a warm friendship story fits the warmth of winter, loved it 🧡🤎
21.12.2021
April 14, 2013
Denise Fleming is an amazing author who teaches a lesson throughout her book. Her style is all about having pictures that can tell the story without even having to read the words written on the page. Her book The First Day of Winter is just another example of her style that doesn’t disappoint. The images in the beginning of the book help set up the setting of when a child would be making a snowman by showing a calendar with it on the month of December on it. The setting is set on the first page and then she goes into how to make a snow man. Denise’s images go along with the words that just explain how many pieces of each one element are added to the snowman and what color it is. The pictures are clear by showing each object as it is placed on the snowman, but she also adds a couple of animals that would be found in the setting, so the students understand where you can make a snowman. Denise’s main purpose of using the pictures to tell the story happens from the beginning of the book where it is the first day of winter and it is time to create the snowman. This book helps give students the main image of winter and what happens in winter from the snow to the month of December to creating a snowman. I would highly recommend this book for students to learn about winter and great things they can do in the snow, cold month of December. I think students will enjoy reading the words as they look at the abstract pictures presented in the book. I believe the students will enjoy reading this book because her images will show students how much fun it will be to create their own snowman in winter.
December 12, 2023
My prediction was that I would get through 8 days of winter while singing this book to my toddler storytime. While still a great tip for parents, my statement that sometimes we have to end books early because they're just too long for 1 & 2-year-olds to sit all the way through didn't end up being necessary. Almost all the kids listened for the entire time, and were delighted by the vertical spread of the finished snowman. I plan to make this book a winter tradition.
2019 edit: Only made it through 7 days of winter this year, though it was our second book. At least I got to use that literacy tip! ;)
2019 edit: Only made it through 7 days of winter this year, though it was our second book. At least I got to use that literacy tip! ;)
December 21, 2016
Ends rather abruptly.
November 25, 2025
My eight year old and I grabbed this on a whim and had a fabulous time singing through it and watching the illustrations unfold. Adorable snowman!!!
We were disappointed there wasn’t the full 12 days… otherwise it would’ve been a 5 star for sure!
Our additional edit:
On the 11th day of winter my best friend gave to me 11 snowflakes falling
On the 12th day of winter my best friend gave to me 12 birds a humming
And we had such a wonderful time 🎶
We were disappointed there wasn’t the full 12 days… otherwise it would’ve been a 5 star for sure!
Our additional edit:
On the 11th day of winter my best friend gave to me 11 snowflakes falling
On the 12th day of winter my best friend gave to me 12 birds a humming
And we had such a wonderful time 🎶
July 28, 2022
Cumulative tale, singable (12 Days of Christmas), textured illustrations - Emma (Appeal terms from NoveList)
February 15, 2019
Cute counting book
2/15/19 Read with Julia.
2/15/19 Read with Julia.
December 28, 2013
Worked well in storytime. Might be really good to repeat for a few weeks, as the kids were repeating the "red cap with a cold snap" portion by the end. Great illustrations.
December 27, 2014
Booklist (December 15, 2005 (Vol. 102, No. 8))
PreS-K. Vibrant, handmade paper compositions illustrate this secular spin on "The Twelve Days of Christmas.""On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me . . . a red cap,"read the words, as richly textured images show a snowman (unadorned except for a scarlet hat) in a wide, snowy field. On subsequent days, the snowman receives more presents (two bright blue mittens; three striped scarves, and so on) from his best friend, a young, toast-brown child--until he is fully outfitted with winter accessories, including the final "ten salty peanuts."This is a winning choice on many levels. The beautiful illustrations, shown from unusual angles, contrast the vivid colors of cozy scarves, mittens, and curious animals (deer, squirrels) with the inviting white of the snow. The syllables of the text match easily with the tune of the familiar Christmas carol, making the book ideal for holiday lap sits. Fleming deepens the counting exercise with winter magic--the snowman who speaks, his friendship with a young child, and the simple, astonishing thrill of a snowy day.
Horn Book (November/December, 2005)
"On the second day of winter / my best friend gave to me / 2 bright blue mittens / and a red cap with a gold snap." A snowman-in-the-making narrates this cumulative seasonal tale patterned after "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Over nine days, a young gift-giver (of whom readers get only a glimpse) bestows striped scarves, prickly pinecones, orange berries, black buttons, and more on the emergent snowman. Finally, "on the tenth day of winter," the young friend arrives -- shown in full for the first time -- bearing the last gift: ten salty peanuts, for ten toes. Fleming's characteristic mixed-media illustrations -- including colored cotton fibers and stencils -- are filled with energy and movement as they depict a favorite winter pastime.
Horn Book starred (Spring 2006)
"On the second day of winter / my best friend gave to me / 2 bright blue mittens / and a red cap with a gold snap." In this cumulative seasonal tale, a young gift-giver bestows striped scarves, prickly pinecones, orange berries, black buttons, and more on an emergent snowman. Fleming's characteristic mixed-media illustrations are filled with energy and movement.
Kirkus Reviews starred (September 15, 2005)
Fleming creatively employs the structure of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to create a cumulative tale about the decorations for a snowman, beginning with the addition of a "red cap with a gold snap" on the first day of winter. On each subsequent day, the African-American narrator's best friend provides something else to add to the snowman's outfit: "2 bright blue mittens, 3 striped scarves," and much more, right on down to "10 salty peanuts" for the snowman's toes. Fleming uses her signature collage technique against pale gray backgrounds dotted with white snowflakes, with different animals on each page helping to add the details to the snowman. The perspectives vary until the last, wordless spread, which shows the completed snowman in a horizontal orientation that provides a satisfying conclusion. Teachers and librarians will add this volume to story times with winter or snow themes, and the clever new words to a favorite old tune might become a new winter favorite in music classrooms. (Picture book. 4-7)
Library Media Connection (March 2006)
In typically characteristic Denise Fleming style, she creates a beautiful and fun new book surrounding the magical first days of winter. The poetic text is an altered version of the classic song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The book begins with a blank canvas of a snowman. Fleming's soft illustrations depict humor and cheer as each of the first ten days of winter pass and a child adds onto the snowman. Starting with a "red cap with a gold snap" on day one, the child adds mittens, scarves, pinecones, buttons, twigs, and leaves. With the final addition of ten peanuts as the ten toes, this newly completed snowman walks away to meet up with several other snowmen. Younger readers will love to help tell the story through the repeating text. Students may want to help locate where each of the ten things are placed on the snowman. With a December calendar at the beginning, this is a great addition to any classroom and library to celebrate the start of winter. The text does seem to end abruptly on the tenth day and several pages follow wordlessly as the snowman walks away. The story could also be enjoyed set to music with the help of the music teacher. It will make a fun read-aloud for both students and teachers. Recommended. Maureen Mooney, Library Media Specialist, Caroline St. School, Saratoga Springs, New York
Publishers Weekly (September 26, 2005)
Youngsters can hum along to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," revamped in contemporary fashion by Denise Fleming in The First Day of Winter. "On the second day of winter my best friend gave to me 2 bright blue mittens and a red cap with a gold snap." Fleming uses her unusual technique (with colored cotton fiber) to demonstrate the many gradations of wintry whites and the contrast of that red cap-and the identity of the narrator makes for added fun and suspense. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (December 1, 2005)
PreS-K-Told in a rhythm reminiscent of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," a snowman's tale begins, "On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me-/a red cap with a gold snap." The benefactor continues to deck out the snowman with two bright blue mittens for his stick hands; five birdseed pockets; nine big black buttons for his eyes, nose, and front; and, finally, 10 salty peanuts for his wintry toes. As in the holiday song, each time a new item is introduced, the story counts back to the first gift. Fleming captures the tranquility and light of snowy days with her unique artistic style. Her paper-pulp and stencil illustrations depict a winter wonderland in which vibrant striped scarves, blue mittens, and red hats provide the color in a white, uncluttered landscape. A squirrel, a mouse, a bird, a cat, a rabbit and a deer appear on each spread and seem to gaze at readers. The perspective shifts throughout the book, so on one page children look down on the snowman, while on others they look up at him from the ground. Readers finally see the snowman's friend, a bundled-up child, on the 10th day of winter. Quietly told and thoughtfully illustrated, Fleming's work celebrates the season and all of winter's creatures.-Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
PreS-K. Vibrant, handmade paper compositions illustrate this secular spin on "The Twelve Days of Christmas.""On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me . . . a red cap,"read the words, as richly textured images show a snowman (unadorned except for a scarlet hat) in a wide, snowy field. On subsequent days, the snowman receives more presents (two bright blue mittens; three striped scarves, and so on) from his best friend, a young, toast-brown child--until he is fully outfitted with winter accessories, including the final "ten salty peanuts."This is a winning choice on many levels. The beautiful illustrations, shown from unusual angles, contrast the vivid colors of cozy scarves, mittens, and curious animals (deer, squirrels) with the inviting white of the snow. The syllables of the text match easily with the tune of the familiar Christmas carol, making the book ideal for holiday lap sits. Fleming deepens the counting exercise with winter magic--the snowman who speaks, his friendship with a young child, and the simple, astonishing thrill of a snowy day.
Horn Book (November/December, 2005)
"On the second day of winter / my best friend gave to me / 2 bright blue mittens / and a red cap with a gold snap." A snowman-in-the-making narrates this cumulative seasonal tale patterned after "The Twelve Days of Christmas." Over nine days, a young gift-giver (of whom readers get only a glimpse) bestows striped scarves, prickly pinecones, orange berries, black buttons, and more on the emergent snowman. Finally, "on the tenth day of winter," the young friend arrives -- shown in full for the first time -- bearing the last gift: ten salty peanuts, for ten toes. Fleming's characteristic mixed-media illustrations -- including colored cotton fibers and stencils -- are filled with energy and movement as they depict a favorite winter pastime.
Horn Book starred (Spring 2006)
"On the second day of winter / my best friend gave to me / 2 bright blue mittens / and a red cap with a gold snap." In this cumulative seasonal tale, a young gift-giver bestows striped scarves, prickly pinecones, orange berries, black buttons, and more on an emergent snowman. Fleming's characteristic mixed-media illustrations are filled with energy and movement.
Kirkus Reviews starred (September 15, 2005)
Fleming creatively employs the structure of "The Twelve Days of Christmas" to create a cumulative tale about the decorations for a snowman, beginning with the addition of a "red cap with a gold snap" on the first day of winter. On each subsequent day, the African-American narrator's best friend provides something else to add to the snowman's outfit: "2 bright blue mittens, 3 striped scarves," and much more, right on down to "10 salty peanuts" for the snowman's toes. Fleming uses her signature collage technique against pale gray backgrounds dotted with white snowflakes, with different animals on each page helping to add the details to the snowman. The perspectives vary until the last, wordless spread, which shows the completed snowman in a horizontal orientation that provides a satisfying conclusion. Teachers and librarians will add this volume to story times with winter or snow themes, and the clever new words to a favorite old tune might become a new winter favorite in music classrooms. (Picture book. 4-7)
Library Media Connection (March 2006)
In typically characteristic Denise Fleming style, she creates a beautiful and fun new book surrounding the magical first days of winter. The poetic text is an altered version of the classic song "The Twelve Days of Christmas." The book begins with a blank canvas of a snowman. Fleming's soft illustrations depict humor and cheer as each of the first ten days of winter pass and a child adds onto the snowman. Starting with a "red cap with a gold snap" on day one, the child adds mittens, scarves, pinecones, buttons, twigs, and leaves. With the final addition of ten peanuts as the ten toes, this newly completed snowman walks away to meet up with several other snowmen. Younger readers will love to help tell the story through the repeating text. Students may want to help locate where each of the ten things are placed on the snowman. With a December calendar at the beginning, this is a great addition to any classroom and library to celebrate the start of winter. The text does seem to end abruptly on the tenth day and several pages follow wordlessly as the snowman walks away. The story could also be enjoyed set to music with the help of the music teacher. It will make a fun read-aloud for both students and teachers. Recommended. Maureen Mooney, Library Media Specialist, Caroline St. School, Saratoga Springs, New York
Publishers Weekly (September 26, 2005)
Youngsters can hum along to "The Twelve Days of Christmas," revamped in contemporary fashion by Denise Fleming in The First Day of Winter. "On the second day of winter my best friend gave to me 2 bright blue mittens and a red cap with a gold snap." Fleming uses her unusual technique (with colored cotton fiber) to demonstrate the many gradations of wintry whites and the contrast of that red cap-and the identity of the narrator makes for added fun and suspense. Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (December 1, 2005)
PreS-K-Told in a rhythm reminiscent of "The Twelve Days of Christmas," a snowman's tale begins, "On the first day of winter my best friend gave to me-/a red cap with a gold snap." The benefactor continues to deck out the snowman with two bright blue mittens for his stick hands; five birdseed pockets; nine big black buttons for his eyes, nose, and front; and, finally, 10 salty peanuts for his wintry toes. As in the holiday song, each time a new item is introduced, the story counts back to the first gift. Fleming captures the tranquility and light of snowy days with her unique artistic style. Her paper-pulp and stencil illustrations depict a winter wonderland in which vibrant striped scarves, blue mittens, and red hats provide the color in a white, uncluttered landscape. A squirrel, a mouse, a bird, a cat, a rabbit and a deer appear on each spread and seem to gaze at readers. The perspective shifts throughout the book, so on one page children look down on the snowman, while on others they look up at him from the ground. Readers finally see the snowman's friend, a bundled-up child, on the 10th day of winter. Quietly told and thoughtfully illustrated, Fleming's work celebrates the season and all of winter's creatures.-Shawn Brommer, South Central Library System, Madison, WI Copyright 2005 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 25, 2018
This book has a lot of information about different things that can be found outside in the winter, as well as things that can be done during the winter season. This book could help get the kids imagination going and think of different things to do in the winter season when it is snowing.
Lexile Measures- 260L
Guided Reading- I
Six Traits plus One- Ideas, Presentation and Word Choice
Lexile Measures- 260L
Guided Reading- I
Six Traits plus One- Ideas, Presentation and Word Choice
Read
December 11, 2019It's pretty cute. Brownie points right off the bat for having Chanukah and Kwanzaa on the calendar as well as the first day of winter and Christmas. Also sweet showing the child using things that will feed the animals to adorn the snowman. The coming to life and going off to meet another previously unseen snowman was a bit abrupt and random for an ending though...
January 25, 2021
This is a fun book all on its own, but it’s also a great alternative to the “12 Days of Christmas” if you don’t celebrate Christmas. A snowman is slowly decorated by his friend for ten days, following the same structure as the 12 Days of Christmas. The decorations are sometimes what you’d expect and sometimes really creative!
February 6, 2018
Of course, I picked this for storytime...then my voice goes out so I can't sing it the way it's supposed to be. Without that familiar holiday tune, it's just me listing things in a hoarse voice....boo.
December 20, 2018
Singable (sometimes with random items) winter version of The Twelve Days of Christmas. "Red hat with a gold SNAP," repeated as the first day invites clapping or snapping or tapping along with that repeating line.
February 21, 2019
The first day of winter is a excellent story. It talks about the beginning of winter which is December and how to build a snowman. This book would be great to read during winter time and teach children how to build a snowman.
November 17, 2020
Cute story and art like the 12 Days of Christmas song, but with 10 days of adding items to a snowman. Not what I was looking for in regards to a children's book about the winter solstice, but small children might enjoy singing and counting the items.
January 23, 2024
Cumulative stories are not really my thing, but this one was quick and fun. The snowman is narrating, which is different, and he's given hair and eyelashes and toes and...birdseed pockets! Lots for us to talk about as we read. Plus the ending was unexpected!
October 26, 2017
This is a story told to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas. After you get to number ten you have a fully made up snowman. Really cute.
November 11, 2017
I don't hate this book for storytime, but it would need to be sung, probably with props (felt cutouts?), and it is a bit long for not too much pay off. Will keep it as an option. Fun book overall.
November 15, 2017
I couldn't help but sing this book in my head as I was reading. I also loved how the last few pages were just illustrations. I liked the repetition and how it used numbers.
December 9, 2017
Fun, playful book! Pro-tip: the text is meant to be read to the tune of the Twelve Days of Christmas. It took me a lot longer to realize that than it should have...!
January 11, 2018
Can sing along to the tune of 12 Days of Christmas.
April 25, 2018
This is a great rhyming book for younger kids. This is a fun way on how to build a snowman as well!
Lexile Measures: 260L
DRA Levels: 16
Presentation, Sentence Fluency
Lexile Measures: 260L
DRA Levels: 16
Presentation, Sentence Fluency
September 14, 2018
(Picture Book)
I really liked how the pictures added to the story. It would be a great story for the classroom and fun for the students to add music to.
I really liked how the pictures added to the story. It would be a great story for the classroom and fun for the students to add music to.
September 26, 2018
Would be a great read-aloud or flannel board story, but I thought the ending was a bit flat.
November 15, 2018
Cumulative counting story told in the 12 Days of Christmas format.
Through the course of the story a snowman is decorated.
Would make a great flannel board story.
Through the course of the story a snowman is decorated.
Would make a great flannel board story.
December 17, 2018
Cute picture book that tells a story about nature building a snowperson. Beautifully illustrated.
January 12, 2019
This is a fun read-aloud /sing-along book for little ones. It was a hit with first grade. However, the wording for the 4th gift didn’t fit to the tune at all while all the others did.
January 23, 2019
Great storytime read!
November 18, 2019
The 12 Days of Christmas, but about winter, and winter things.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews