It's Winter!

by Linda Glaser, Susan Swan (Illustrator)

Simple text and bold, beautiful paper sculpture convey the animal life, plant life, weather, colors, clothing, and feelings associated with the winter season.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Science, Nature, Storytime

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2002

Reviews

[Krista Lineweaver · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Winter by Linda Glaser is a picturebook meant for the Nursery years or 0-5. I thought that it was a very simple book that described the characteristics of winter. The child observed the changes and effects that occurred during the winter time, such as the effects on the animals, plants, and the weather. The illustrations were very warm and inviting but different because they looked like they were cut out pieces of paper and placed on each page which could draw children's attention because of the texture that it looked like it had. The book didn't have much to it, it is not one that I would read to my class of children. I wish it had more to it, more meaningful reading to go with it. Something that I really liked about this book is that in the back of the story, the author included a few pages of a variety of wintertime activites. This is a great addition to the book that I wish more authors did. This will benefit teachers and parents greatly.

[Rose Rosetree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Trust a Minnesota writer to share great appreciation for winter. Linda Glaser gives picture book readers a zesty tour of the delights of snow.

Nature plays a big part in this book, as we learn about hat happens to dragonfly nymphs, hibernating frogs and more.

Definitely, FIVE STARS.

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nicely done. Sometimes the text is even poetic. There are activities in the back of the book that can be done (if your area gets cold and snowy enough). Nothing here is quite enough to help me look forward to the season, though (but I am reading two other picture-books on the topic).

[BiblioBeruthiel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Crazy informative. Could be a bit too long for storytime.

[Charmaine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the “Nature activities to do when it’s winter” section at the end of the book

[Alice Ball · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the paper cut illustrations in Glaser's seasonal books!

[Set · Rating 2 out of 5]

Again, the illustrations and the tale does not do justice to the frosty wonderland that is winter.

[Laurie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Booklist (January 1, 2003 (Vol. 99, No. 9))

K-Gr. 3. The third book in the Celebrate the Seasons series, this combines a cheerfully illustrated paean to winter with a pinch of science. The text begins by evoking the feelings of winter: the joy of catching snowflakes on the tongue, the anticipation of wondering just how much snow will fall, and the warmth generated by making snow angels and building snowmen. In addition to the fun, there are descriptions of several creatures'hibernation habits, creatively illustrated in cross sections showing the insides of underground and underwater hiding places. A list of suggested nature activities adds to the scientific focus. The intricate, brightly colored cut-paper-and-paint illustrations evoke the crispness of winter and are simply fun to look at. Similar in appearance to Jan Carr's Frozen Noses (1999), but for a slightly older audience.



Horn Book (Spring, 2003)

Cheerful cut-paper collage illustrations enliven this third installment in a series celebrating the seasons. Typical characteristics of winter such as cold and snow receive more than ample coverage; more interesting is the brief review of winter's effects on animal habitat. Meandering free verse with occasional rhyme lacks consistency and rhythm. A list of suggested nature activities is appended.



Kirkus Reviews (September 1, 2002)

A chill is in the air and the leaves have all fallen from the trees, as an exuberant child runs "here and there, catching snowflakes in the air." Having similarly explored all things autumn (It's Fall, 2001) and all things spring (It's Spring, p. 256), Glaser and Swan bring winter alive. Bundled in a scarf, hat, and mittens, walking through the snow can be fun, watching the prints that each footstep makes. Snow angels and snowmen cannot be far behind as the snow deepens. It is hard to believe the picture that arrives in the mail of the girl's grandparents basking on a Florida beach, but winter is different everywhere. Even as some creatures are slipping through the whiteness to find food and shelter, many animals are burrowed deep in the ground or in the warm water beneath the lake's icy crust. The descriptions of the natural world are enhanced by the use of multi-layered, hand-painted, cut-paper collages. Adding visual depth to each page, they invite readers to come in for a closer look. Suggestions for winter projects and activities follow the text. (Picture book. 4-8)



School Library Journal (November 1, 2002)

PreS-Gr 1-This companion to It's Fall (2001) and It's Spring (2002, both Millbrook) is an exemplary exploration of a season. From the first spread, readers view an enthusiastic girl who delves into the pleasures and treasures of winter: "I chase and zigzag/here/and/there,/ catching snowflakes in the air./They land on my face and on my hair./I stick out my tongue/and catch one./Yum!" The arrival of new snow overnight transforms the world around her into a rollicking playground. She takes a pleasant walk with her dog and describes the wonders of nature when bats, bees, and several other animals hibernate; active life goes on underneath a frozen pond, and birds and deer are about. At night, Orion takes precedence in the sky. Soon the days grow longer, the sun feels stronger, and there is a hint of change, but there is still time to sled and hope for another snow. Swan's beautiful cut-paper artwork is colorful, crisp, and stark. Rich textures bring depth to the lively scenes and the double-page spreads will give young readers much to ponder. Make room on your shelves for this fresh offering.-Meghan R. Malone, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA Copyright 2002 Cahners Business Information.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Browsing books to give my friends' children as gifts since I won't gift anything I haven't first read myself.

This is part of a four-book series, each featuring one of the seasons. I like the way they did the art (sort of reminds me vaguely of Eric Carle?) and the content is educational in a fun way. As I've found with other books by this author, there is a somewhat odd choice in the writing style, with some occasional rhyming. I still find that a bit strange, but not as off-putting in these books as in others. I do want to find some good "exploring the seasons" books for preschool/elementary age children, and this one may fit the bill, especially with the seasonal activity suggestions at the end. These will be on the gift list unless I come across something written in a style I like more.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This looks like a bright preschool book but it's really more than a simple book. The artwork is vibrant and interesting. Linda Glaser has also packed in some basic but interesting information about winter. My kindergarten students found the text very accessible and they had a lot to say about the animals. My first graders had a lot of connections to what they are learning in science and what they are noticing in the world around them. A solid choice as a science read aloud for younger elementary school students.

[Rebecca Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to read when learning about weather. If it snows in the winter this would be good book to read and then do a science experiment and use math. The class can go ouside and fill a bucket with snow. They can measure how tall the snow is in the bucket and how much it weighs. Then when the snow melts they can measure it and weight it again. They can compare the difference and discuss why they think it changed.

[Janice Redding · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book to read to first graders to talk about the winter time. The teacher can also talk about what happens in the winter time. This is a goo book to read in a science classroom becuase it talks about how water freezes and become ice, and how winter is a season, which relates to a standard.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book gives a lot of details about dressing for winter, how the snow begins, and what some animals do in winter. I have used this a couple of times for PreSchool storytime and find that it's a bit long. I talked about the fantastic illustrations, asking questions, instead of reading the book word for work.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a simple introduction to the season using lyrical text to describe the comings and goings and changes tha occur. Overall, it's a nice book. It contains suggestions of winter activities for the reader as well. Not bad.

[Alexis Levine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's Winter is a great book for 5-7 year olds. The pictures are very bright and cute. It's Winter discusses characteristics of winter and discreet things about winter. I would use this book for science when discussing seasons or when winter is approaching!

[Gretchen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book filled with amazing papercut illustrations!
So much detail. So well done.
I put it on a shelf for older kids, because I felt it would be a great example for kids in an art class.

[Theresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's Winter!
by Linda Glaser
used in a second grade class to make connections to a text, talks about winter, the ice the snow, the activities, and the feelings of winter, is great to expose students to the concept of the seasons.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

educational, and very high quality illustrations. they were cut-paper that were painted to created the soft look of winter. very effectie.

[Brittany N · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book can be used for seasons. It goes into details about winter.

[Olson Family Matters · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great little preschool book about the winter season!