Snow: A Winter and Holiday Book for Kids

by Cynthia Rylant, Lauren Stringer (Illustrator)

Cynthia Rylant’s lyrical descriptions of the sights and feelings evoked by falling snow blend gorgeously with the rich and beautiful world created by Lauren Stringer’s illustrations, in which a young girl, her friend, and her grandmother enjoy the many things a snowy day has to offer.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Nature, Christmas, Storytime, Poetry

40 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 2008

About the author

An author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry for children and young adults as well as an author and author/illustrator of picture books for children, Cynthia Rylant is recognized as a gifted writer who has contributed memorably to several genres of juvenile literature. A prolific author who often bases her works on her own background, especially on her childhood in the West Virginia mountains, she is the creator of contemporary novels and historical fiction for young adults, middle-grade fiction and fantasy, lyrical prose poems, beginning readers, collections of short stories, volumes of poetry and verse, books of prayers and blessings, two autobiographies, and a biography of three well-known children's writers; several volumes of the author's fiction and picture books are published in series, including the popular "Henry and Mudge" easy readers about a small boy and his very large dog.

Rylant is perhaps most well known as a novelist. Characteristically, she portrays introspective, compassionate young people who live in rural settings or in small towns and who tend to be set apart from their peers.

from bookrags.com

Reviews

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This gentle, relaxing picture book is perfect for this time of year. If there's so much snow that you're forced to stay home, curl up with a book like this and just enjoy the peace that the snow can bring; it won't last forever, after all.

The text is lyrical free verse, and it's a nice choice to accompany the soft illustrations. Some of the pictures I like more than others, but they all work together to give the book a particular feeling. Children will probably understand the sentiment more than adults (who might be forced to brave the snow to get to work, and curse it repeatedly); it's a nice reminder, though, of how we all used to love snow at one point, for the magic landscape it created and the unique winter opportunities it offered. You can't build a snowman in the middle of summer, after all.

I quite enjoyed this one. If you're looking for good seasonal picture books, I'd definitely recommend taking a look at Snow.

Quotable moment:

And the snow,
while it is here,
reminds us of this:
that nothing lasts forever
except memories.

[Nhi Nguyễn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful, gentle, relaxing book about all kinds of snow. Snow that makes us feel peaceful, snow that takes us home, snow that reminds us it is alright to be happy, snow that bury cars and make tree branches bow, snow that brings joy to kids playing outside, making all sorts of snow angels. But whatever kind of snow it is, all the snow, while it is here, reminds us of this: that nothing lasts forever except memories. So make memories with the snow and in the snow, while nature is asleep, waiting for spring to come.

To someone who hasn't seen or touched snow in her life, this book is such a treasure that should be tucked closed to the heart and reread at every Christmas while sitting next to the fireplace.

[Tasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the deep midnight blue endpages featuring a single snowflake drifting, you know that you are in for a special treat. This picture book explores the various types of snow through its poetic verse and deeply colored illustrations. There is snow that is peaceful, snow that holds promise, snow that outlines and illuminates, snow that buries and snow that is full of memories. As a native Wisconsinite, I have seen all of these snows and loved each and every type too.

Rylant's verse is simple and deep, taking the time to reveal the magic of each type of snowfall, the beauty of thick and thin snow. Stringer's illustrations are lovely, filled with the different colors of snow from peachy warm to midnight blue to chill white. They move from coldness to warmth and back again using deep colors. Each of her illustrations evokes a different emotion or feeling, together they marry into a landscape of snow.

Highly recommended for anyone having a snowy day like we are. This book's poetry allows it to work with small children, but will also be of interest to older children for the same reason. The verse expands the age level considerably from other picture books. Appropriate for ages 3-9.

[Katie Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful choice to read in the school library just as children are getting ready for a major snowstorm!

[Sydney Fransiscus · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fabulous illustrations that enhance the text to really bring the story to life.

[Shawn L’s Book Notes & Quotes · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book really conjured up memories from childhood for me; perhaps it would for anyone who grew up with northern winters.
“The best snow is the snow that comes softly in the night, like a shy friend afraid to knock, so she thinks she’ll just wait in the yard until you see her. This is the snow that brings you peace.”
There really is something to that type of snow bringing peace. It’s like you can sense that that type of snow was coming and somewhere in your sleepy unconscious you know that it’s snowing outside. What cozy joy the morning brings upon looking outside to see your world covered in sparkly white. Ahhh ❄️

[Shiloah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it!

[Lorraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

This storybook by Rylant hit the mark on all counts. My preschooler loved the illustrations, the story, the size of the book (oversized), it was a big success.

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story that describes snow and the cozy aspects of winter as well.

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very fun book for children, with lovely illustrations. Helped me get through a rather hot day this summer!

[Nashelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

For lovers of snow, wholly sublime. 💙

[Diana Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this read aloud because it describes all the different kinds of snow and how we feel about it! Beautiful illustrations, also!

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer, is an ode to the beauty and magic of the many kinds of snow: soft, fat, light and heavy. This lyrical book follows a girl and her grandmother as they interact and enjoy a snowy day. The poetic text and illustrations focus on the feelings evoked by snowfall, evoking nostalgia about childhood memories. Stringer's illustrations have just the right details to match the text and uses a full color pallete to represent snowfall. The text offers read aloud possibilites for older children.

However this is a very perfect, fantasy-like look at snow. My curmudgeon side, after the recent Chicago blizard, notes that the school scene shows no shovelled sidewalks, a very young crossing guard, many unaccompanied children, almost no adults (parents or teachers) around and a snow covered bus with no wipers going, and heavy snowfall. The text mentions slippery roads. Why am I imagining a horrible bus crash? Sorry, my worry wort side went into overdrive.

For ages 3 to 8, snow, winter weather themes, and fans of Rylant and Stringer.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only a picture book this perfect could make me long for hot chocolate and knitted mittens on a hot summer afternoon. Like so many of Rylant's picture books, this one is peaceful and thoughtful, and the beautiful illustrations elevate her words.

[Michelle Nero · Rating 4 out of 5]

A celebration of snow . . . and the delight we feel!

"And the snow,
while it is here,
reminds us of this:
that nothing lasts forever
except memories."

[Rosa Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully written poem put in storybook form, along with the wonderful illustrations that bring out the poem for children (and adults alike).

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful!

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

First sentence: The best snow is the snow that comes softly in the night, like a shy friend afraid to knock, so she thinks she'll just wait in the yard until you see her. This is the snow that brings you peace.

Premise/plot: In Rylant's poetic picture book, snow--in all its varieties--is celebrated.

Children love snow better than anyone does, and they never complain as they pull on their red boots and mittens and make plans to catch wet flakes on their tongues and roll their small bodies to the bottom of a hill. The snow loves them back. It gives them angels and new friends.

My thoughts: I wasn't expecting to love this one, but I did. I loved the writing. I found it lyrical, descriptive, beautiful. One of my favorite sentences is, "And the snow, while it is here, reminds us of this: that nothing lasts forever except memories." I also loved the illustrations. I found them beautiful, enchanting. In many spreads, readers see a young girl and her grandmother. The text tells us nothing about them personally, but the illustrations communicate so much. (The illustrations also reveal they have a cat.)


Text: 5 out of 5
Illustrations: 5 out of 5
Total: 10 out of 10

[Alex Baugh · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s all kinds of snow, this book reminds us. Snow that quietly comes at night, with big fat snowflakes that carry the possibility of school closing, or snow that starts while kids are in school and know they will be sent home. This lyrical poem follows a young girl as she experiences all kinds of snow with her new friend and her grandmother. Playing in the park, catching snowflakes on their tongues, rolling down snowy hills together, making snow angels until the two friends are taken to the warmth of their homes. At home, the young girl shares a warm drink and a game with her grandmother as they watch the falling snow outside. This is such a lovely, peaceful, intergenerational poem with illustrations that capture the magic of a big snowfall, so much so that you can almost feel the snowflakes falling on your own cheeks. Rylant has made snow look so inviting that now my young readers are hoping with all their might that we have a big snowfall, too, preferably sooner rather than later.

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rhythmic description of what the first snow feels like and all its glory, describing all the wonderful things the snow has to offer in the many and all forms it comes within. The illustrations are beautifully matched within the texts to show the magnificence of what the first snow truly feels like. This book is a very big sensory book describing the feelings as well as the sights. I think introducing this within an elementary setting is the most appropriate way to introduce sensory feeling because of the visuals intact. The theme containing within this book is just the beauty of the world and the things it has to offer within the specific season and what it truly entails. This is also a great book to give to advanced earlier readers in order for them to read independently to enjoy and connect within what the story is portraying with the many forms of snow.

[Kalynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is so much story in snow. When I think back to all my snow memories, I tend to group them into "snow" or winter, but what Cynthia Rylant did for me, in "Snow", that she can do for you and your children, or students, is to think of those different types of snow moments. The new fallen snow, the snowman snow, the snow that sends you home early, etc. and all the chapters of stories that go with each type. We just had our first snow of the season, and the bright sunlight is already calling it back...but I got outdoors and went for a long walk in it. It was so peaceful. What are your snow stories? What are your children's, or student's? This book will surely spark those tales in such a comforting way.

[Amy Larsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Genre: Picture book, realistic fiction Grades K-2

Beautifully illustrated picture book about snow. The illustrations look like oil paintings. The book is really just a celebration of snow, the different kinds, and the ways that it makes us feel. There is a lot of nice personification of the snow: "The snow loves them back. It gives them angels and new friends." The story reminds us to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the snow as well as all of the small things in life that slowing down in the winter can help us enjoy: being together, warm drinks, reading books, cuddling up. It reminds us that nothing lasts forever and spring is around the corner, but it's the snow's turn now, so we should enjoy it while it lasts.

[Laurie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Parents need to know that the words and pictures of this book celebrate the many moods of snow, from the first flake that swirls to the ground to the moment when snowdrifts have blanketed the entire world outside. Those who have lived in snow will recognize the different stages, and feelings. Those who have never had the experience will want to get acquainted.



Positive messages


The little girl shares tender moments with her grandmother, peering out the window, reading books, sharing stories and dreams about their garden, and walking through a snowy evening.


Violence & scariness


Not applicable


Language

Not applicable


This is from commonsensemedia.org


Booklist starred (October 15, 2008 (Vol. 105, No. 4))

Preschool-Grade 2. Snow is not an uncommon subject in picture books, but few have both the grace and exuberance of this lovely collaboration featuring Rylant’s evocative words and Stringer’s entrancing paintings. This celebration looks at snow in all its permutations and considers the effects it has on those the flakes fall upon. Is the best snow the snow that comes softly in the night . . . the snow that brings you peace? Perhaps it’s the heavy snow that sends you home from school, or the delicate fall that makes you notice the lace on trees. The artwork, whether oversize pictures of children at play, cozy household vignettes, or double-page spreads so packed with snow readers will want to reach in and make a snowball, is full of joy. Yet even in the midst of all this happiness, Rylant reminds readers that nothing lasts forever except memories. Fortunately, children will have this book in hand so they can experience the pleasure of a wintry day even after the snow is gone and the world has turned a soft green.



Horn Book (Spring 2009)

Rylant's poetic text describes the joys of a snowy day: watching those first few flakes while you're sitting in school, getting to go home early, catching snow on your tongue, making snow angels and snowmen. Stringer's swirling acrylic illustrations display the wonders of a day at play interspersed with cozy, quiet time at home with loved ones.



Kirkus Reviews (September 15, 2008)

"The best snow is the snow that comes softly in the night, like a shy friend afraid to knock ...." A little disingenuously, as she seems to love all types, from fat, heavy flakes to the light falls that "make you notice the delicate limbs of trees," Rylant begins her celebration of snow. An acknowledged master of "spare" and "poetic," the Newbery Medalist delivers, her words drifting and blowing and coming 'round to the children who "love the snow better than anyone else does" in the end. Stringer's illustrations are distinguished by lush, pillowy lines, the white edged with blues and pinks, and center the narrative on a child and her grandmother in sync with the snow. (Picture book. 3-6)



Publishers Weekly (October 6, 2008)

Rylant and Stringer (previously paired for Scarecrow) celebrate winter wonderlands in a cozy, lyrical tribute. Whether they encounter heavy snow that buries "cars up to their noses," or the best snow of all, the kind "that comes softly in the night, like a shy friend afraid to knock, so she thinks she'll just wait in the yard until you see her," kids embrace the precipitation. Author and illustrator largely look through a nostalgic lens. Rylant wistfully observes the snow's fleeting beauty and the passage of time; Stringer casts a granddaughter and grandmother duo in the lead roles. The result can feel more like a stroll down memory lane (or a preparation for one) than a childlike, in-the-moment romp. Stringer takes full advantage of the book's oversize dimensions and offers a range of perspectives. Her acrylic illustrations brim with blue-white crystal creations--flurries, drifts and snowflakes, no two alike. And when winter asserts itself at twilight, Stringer also shows grandmother and granddaughter staying warm inside, happy to be together: "It's the snow's turn now," Rylant says as Stringer offers an aerial view of the house, "We'll watch it fall." Like snow, the ending achieves a perfect silence. Ages 3-7. (Nov.) Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.



School Library Journal (December 1, 2008)

PreS-Gr 2-A single snowflake on a midnight-blue marbled background ushers readers into this quiet celebration of snow that "comes softly in the night like a quiet friend" or falls so "heavy [it buries] cars up to their noses." In brief, lyrical text, Rylant states that snow helps us notice "the delicate limbs of trees" and "the light falling from a lamppost." It brings the delight of making snow angels and sledding and returning home to enjoy a warm drink. She urges readers to savor the phenomenon, for it remains only briefly. Stringer's acrylic paintings make use of small boxed scenes, full and three-quarter spreads, or full-page pictures framed in white, to display a world of snow-filled wonders. Varying perspectives help readers come up close to a group of multiethnic children gazing longingly at the flakes falling outside their classroom window and then view them from above as, clad in their puffy winter gear, they are finally released to cavort in its depths. There are interior views of a grandparent and child enjoying cozy activities at home and exterior scenes of the two enjoying a walk as twilight bathes the snow in pink hues. This is a gentle gem while Uri Shulevitz's Snow (Farrar, 2004) is a livelier treatment of the topic.-Marianne Saccardi, formerly at Norwalk Community College, CT Copyright 2008 Reed Business Information.

[Jaime · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read so many picture books, and I don't usually bother reviewing them in goodreads. But this book is perfect. Rylant so perfectly captures snow in her beautiful poem, and the illustrations are wonderful. The images primarily feature a little girl and what I assume is her grandmother, tho we aren't ever told what their relationship is. Perhaps her grandmother is her primary caregiver. Perhaps not. Maybe she is a foster mother. Maybe not. It leaves room for lots of children to see themselves in this book.
Captivating.

[Leander · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this to a friend's younger brother a few days ago. As it began, my hopes were none, for what could I expect from a mere child's bedtime picture book. But as the pages were turned it seemed to unlock memories in my brain that never did exist. I have yet to see snow up close, but the tone of the sentences made me feel a strong sense of nostalgia for them. As though missing that cup of coffee on a cold day, when your kettle is broken.
If you have a lil brother or sister, or a niece or a nephew or anyone young enough to be read this to, then go ahead, you won't regret it.

[Nicholas King · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow is a great children's book that many kids living in the midwest or any cold winter climate can relate to. During this book, we see one little girl's experience with a snowfall and how much she enjoys just being outside playing. Even though i'm not a girl, I know personally the feelings that she felt because almost every kid has felt this experience she had and have witnessed it themselves. This book just helps readers/children read more into one person's own experience.

[FM Family · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this one as I was reading it. It did a good job of evoking the different ways snow feels as it falls, depending where you are and what's going on. It also gives you that cosy, excited for the wintertime feeling. The illustration style isn't one that I love, but it's kind of 90's nostalgic for me at the same time. Would definitely recommend it for getting into the wintry mood. My 2.5 year old enjoyed it whenever we read it, but didn't express great enthusiasm for it overall.

[Kendra · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustration in this book are so beautiful and so unique. They really make you think of the long cold days of the winter. Cassie really enjoyed this book and loved looking at the pictures. She loved seeing the little girl make a friend and spend the day in the snowy weather. I recommend you check this book out. This book has a lot of real to the book of when it snows in certain places in the United States. This book has a song-like quality that makes it's easy to read.

[Kelly Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Somehow, this book is still magical even though I'm reading it in March when Spring is taunting us here in Alaska. I love the way Rylant describes different types of snow:

"The best snow is the snow that comes softly in the night, like a shy friend afraid to knock, so she thinks she'll just wait in the yard until you see her. This is the snow that brings you peace."

Gorgeous illustrations enhance the story, and make you feel all warm and cozy.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this book is about snow it makes me feel cozy and look forward to being inside, drinking hot chocolate looking at the beautiful snow. I am saving this book for the week before Christmas and I know my little 7 yr old will adore it. Beautiful large pictures and wonderful descriptive words.