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When It's Winter
What makes winter special? This picture book celebrates the many fun activities and sensory experiences of the season. Follow a girl and her dog through the play and discoveries of a snowy day, and on toward bedtime.
The first person narrative will encourage new readers to claim it as their own. The repetition of the phrase "When it's winter . . ." will encourage children to chime in, and be of assistance to early readers.
The first person narrative will encourage new readers to claim it as their own. The repetition of the phrase "When it's winter . . ." will encourage children to chime in, and be of assistance to early readers.
36 pages, Paperback
5 people want to read
About the author
Karen A. Wyle
26 books234 followersKaren A. Wyle is the author of multiple science fiction novels, including The Twin-Bred Series: Books 1-3; YA novel Water to Water; and near-future novels Division, Playback Effect, Who: a novel of the near future, and Donation. Her first novel outside the SF category was the afterlife fantasy/family drama Wander Home. She then turned to historical romance with her Cowbird Creek series, including What Heals the Heart, What Frees the Heart, What Shows the Heart, and What Wakes the Heart. She returned to fantasy with 2023's Far From Mortal Realms: A Novel of Humans and Fae. Her novel The Decision/A Novel of Germany is inspired by a crucial incident in her own family history. Her latest novel, That The Dead May Rest, comes out on October 17, 2025 -- a good month for a paranormal story!
Wyle has also published one nonfiction work, Closest to the Fire: A Writer's Guide to Law and Lawyers, a resource for authors or for anyone interested in understanding more about American law. An updated and slightly retitled edition came out at the end of July 2021.
Finally, Wyle has collaborated with illustrators on five picture books: You Can't Kiss A Bubble; When It's Winter; Wind, Ocean, Grass; Where Fireflies Sleep; and A Boy Who Made Music/The Extraordinary Life of Joaquin Rodrigo. There are more to come!
Wyle was born a Connecticut Yankee, but eventually settled in Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. She now considers herself a Hoosier. Wyle's childhood ambition was to be the youngest ever published novelist. While writing her first novel at age ten, she was mortified to learn that some British upstart had beaten her to the goal at age nine.
Wyle is a retired appellate attorney, dormant photographer, and mother of two wildly creative adult offspring. Her voice is the product of almost five decades of reading both literary and genre fiction. It is no doubt also influenced, although she hopes not fatally tainted, by her years of law practice. Wyle's near-future novels and her upcoming fantasy novel draw on her legal experience in various respects.
Wyle's personal history has led her to focus on often-intertwined themes of family, communication, the impossibility of controlling events, and the persistence of unfinished business.
Wyle has also published one nonfiction work, Closest to the Fire: A Writer's Guide to Law and Lawyers, a resource for authors or for anyone interested in understanding more about American law. An updated and slightly retitled edition came out at the end of July 2021.
Finally, Wyle has collaborated with illustrators on five picture books: You Can't Kiss A Bubble; When It's Winter; Wind, Ocean, Grass; Where Fireflies Sleep; and A Boy Who Made Music/The Extraordinary Life of Joaquin Rodrigo. There are more to come!
Wyle was born a Connecticut Yankee, but eventually settled in Bloomington, Indiana, home of Indiana University. She now considers herself a Hoosier. Wyle's childhood ambition was to be the youngest ever published novelist. While writing her first novel at age ten, she was mortified to learn that some British upstart had beaten her to the goal at age nine.
Wyle is a retired appellate attorney, dormant photographer, and mother of two wildly creative adult offspring. Her voice is the product of almost five decades of reading both literary and genre fiction. It is no doubt also influenced, although she hopes not fatally tainted, by her years of law practice. Wyle's near-future novels and her upcoming fantasy novel draw on her legal experience in various respects.
Wyle's personal history has led her to focus on often-intertwined themes of family, communication, the impossibility of controlling events, and the persistence of unfinished business.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
September 26, 2023
A sweet picture book about what a little girl does “when it’s winter”.
There is no story as such here. Rather, it is like a list of things the girl likes to do in winter. (I loved the ending, btw. Didn’t see that coming! 😊)
Coming from a tropical country (and having seen snow just thrice in my life), I cannot say I connected personally with the story. But it certainly made me feel like jumping into snow the next time I see it. Winter has always been my favourite season (as I am a winter baby ❄👶❄) so to see a cute picture book about winter activities gave me a warm feeling in my heart. (Ironic, right? Warm feeling from winter stories!)
That said, the word ‘activities’ takes a very different meaning here. In typical children’s books, winter/snow would automatically involve group fun activities such as ice skating, skiing, tobogganing, and snowball fights. Here, many of the activities are more internal (for lack of a better word), with the little girl mulling over unusual snowy elements such as watching winter birds and “making clouds with her breath”. I liked this approach of taking the common as well as uncommon winter-related fun.
The imagery in the book is amazing. With minimal text, the author still creates a fabulous picture with her words. The text is not more 2-3 lines per page—always beginning with “when it’s winter” and continuing in first person—and in a comfortable font size, thus throwing the maximum spotlight on the sketches.
The illustrations are really sweet and add beautifully to the text. Snowy hues of grey, blue and white dominate the pages, and the girl and her dog add the perfect pop of colour.
This would be a nice book for little snow lovers as well as those who want to explore more about a winter wonderland. The vocabulary would be perfect for ages 2 – 8.
4 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and these are my honest thoughts about it. Thank you very much for this opportunity to read and review your work, Karen. 😊
There is no story as such here. Rather, it is like a list of things the girl likes to do in winter. (I loved the ending, btw. Didn’t see that coming! 😊)
Coming from a tropical country (and having seen snow just thrice in my life), I cannot say I connected personally with the story. But it certainly made me feel like jumping into snow the next time I see it. Winter has always been my favourite season (as I am a winter baby ❄👶❄) so to see a cute picture book about winter activities gave me a warm feeling in my heart. (Ironic, right? Warm feeling from winter stories!)
That said, the word ‘activities’ takes a very different meaning here. In typical children’s books, winter/snow would automatically involve group fun activities such as ice skating, skiing, tobogganing, and snowball fights. Here, many of the activities are more internal (for lack of a better word), with the little girl mulling over unusual snowy elements such as watching winter birds and “making clouds with her breath”. I liked this approach of taking the common as well as uncommon winter-related fun.
The imagery in the book is amazing. With minimal text, the author still creates a fabulous picture with her words. The text is not more 2-3 lines per page—always beginning with “when it’s winter” and continuing in first person—and in a comfortable font size, thus throwing the maximum spotlight on the sketches.
The illustrations are really sweet and add beautifully to the text. Snowy hues of grey, blue and white dominate the pages, and the girl and her dog add the perfect pop of colour.
This would be a nice book for little snow lovers as well as those who want to explore more about a winter wonderland. The vocabulary would be perfect for ages 2 – 8.
4 stars.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author and these are my honest thoughts about it. Thank you very much for this opportunity to read and review your work, Karen. 😊
December 10, 2021
When It's Winter is a poetic picture book that creates and ode to winter by demonstrating the different activities that you can participate in both inside and out. These seasonally-specific moments fill a little girl's entire day with make believe, exploration, and contentment. When It's Winter is perfect for unwinding before bed on cold winter nights or for early readers who will benefit from its length, vocabulary, and rhythmic nature. You can read my full review here: https://laurasbooksandblogs.com/when-...
October 26, 2021
Wonderfully whimsical story
Wyle pens a grand children's story in When It's Winter. It was fun to read, and very enjoyable. The illustrations were as amazing as the story itself, and even if a child didn't know how to read yet, the illustrations tell the story. It would be a great story to read to your child, and even as an adult, to bring you back to the time of making snow angels in the snow or sliding on the ice. I loved the last part of the story, and I totally got it, and felt that way myself. I won't give the story away, but it's a wonderfully whimsical. I always love to read Wyle's work, and it's great when she writes for children. There was this line, that stood out (not the ending because I love that page as well), but she writes, "when it's winter ... the sun goes to bed before I have to." When It's Winter is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
Wyle pens a grand children's story in When It's Winter. It was fun to read, and very enjoyable. The illustrations were as amazing as the story itself, and even if a child didn't know how to read yet, the illustrations tell the story. It would be a great story to read to your child, and even as an adult, to bring you back to the time of making snow angels in the snow or sliding on the ice. I loved the last part of the story, and I totally got it, and felt that way myself. I won't give the story away, but it's a wonderfully whimsical. I always love to read Wyle's work, and it's great when she writes for children. There was this line, that stood out (not the ending because I love that page as well), but she writes, "when it's winter ... the sun goes to bed before I have to." When It's Winter is a definite recommendation by Amy's Bookshelf Reviews. I look forward to reading many more stories by this author.
December 16, 2021
The wonder of winter hits these pages with its delightful variety and little things, which make the season so special.
Winter is here, and the snow has come with it. This little girl explores the outdoors and shares every aspect, big and small, which only winter holds. After a packed day, she heads inside, but that isn't the end of the delight, either.
Snowy landscapes and a cute, little girl make this a book to snuggle up with and enjoy. While this one is for snow lovers and dreamers, it allows the joy snow brings to bloom. While starting out with more familiar activities such as snowmen building, it continues on into nature and shows all the surprises there. Every discovery is a wonder and allow memories to be revisited and gives ideas of things to look for, when the reader ventures outside themselves.
The illustrations are white and snowy and oh-so wintery. The little girl's joy at showing each thing about winter, which she enjoys, is well portrayed and easy for the reader to feel. The text is short and always starts with the same phrase, which makes it great especially for the younger end of the intended audience, since it makes it easy for them to 'read with' the story. The vocabulary is also right at the age level.
It's a lovely read, which brings across a snowy atmosphere and all the wonderful feelings and discoveries that come with it. I received an ARC and loved being drawn in by the winter wonderland.
Winter is here, and the snow has come with it. This little girl explores the outdoors and shares every aspect, big and small, which only winter holds. After a packed day, she heads inside, but that isn't the end of the delight, either.
Snowy landscapes and a cute, little girl make this a book to snuggle up with and enjoy. While this one is for snow lovers and dreamers, it allows the joy snow brings to bloom. While starting out with more familiar activities such as snowmen building, it continues on into nature and shows all the surprises there. Every discovery is a wonder and allow memories to be revisited and gives ideas of things to look for, when the reader ventures outside themselves.
The illustrations are white and snowy and oh-so wintery. The little girl's joy at showing each thing about winter, which she enjoys, is well portrayed and easy for the reader to feel. The text is short and always starts with the same phrase, which makes it great especially for the younger end of the intended audience, since it makes it easy for them to 'read with' the story. The vocabulary is also right at the age level.
It's a lovely read, which brings across a snowy atmosphere and all the wonderful feelings and discoveries that come with it. I received an ARC and loved being drawn in by the winter wonderland.
October 13, 2023
The second you open this book, you will be transported into a winter wonderland, full of images invoking your childhood memories of snowy winters. The illustrations showcase the crisp beauty of a winter landscape that many of us are familiar with. This story is perfect to read to your young child(ren) on winter days or nights, asking them with each turn of a page, what their favorite things to do are on cold days. As we are settling into fall, we also found ourselves anticipating the things about winter that we look forward to!
The words are simple, and the narrative is clear and easy to follow. There's so much more to this book than snow-laden, fun-filled winter days. My recommendation is to take contemplative pauses as you read each page with your little one, to take in the words and marvel at the details of what's happening on each page. Follow the little girl in the story, but also pay close attention to her furry companion on each page.
The words are simple, and the narrative is clear and easy to follow. There's so much more to this book than snow-laden, fun-filled winter days. My recommendation is to take contemplative pauses as you read each page with your little one, to take in the words and marvel at the details of what's happening on each page. Follow the little girl in the story, but also pay close attention to her furry companion on each page.
January 22, 2022
It's a snowy January day in southeast Virginia, so this children's book is an appropriate and cozy read for me right now. I enjoyed reading You Can't Kiss A Bubble, so I was excited to read this one, and the cute simplicity didn't disappoint.
I love the sensory imagery, "When it's winter… I step out in the morning, and my nose hairs tingle," because it reminds me of my childhood in Michigan (Wyle 4).
I give this book five stars. It would be a great addition to a home library or a classroom library in the north where children are familiar with the cold, or in the south where children haven't experienced the cold yet.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
I love the sensory imagery, "When it's winter… I step out in the morning, and my nose hairs tingle," because it reminds me of my childhood in Michigan (Wyle 4).
I give this book five stars. It would be a great addition to a home library or a classroom library in the north where children are familiar with the cold, or in the south where children haven't experienced the cold yet.
I received an advance copy of this book for free, and I'm leaving this review voluntarily.
September 22, 2022
A delightful tale of what winter brings as experienced by a little girl and her dog. I really enjoyed the little dog as a sidekick in the story because it reminds me of myself and how many things and how much my pup is always by my side. The illustrations are beautiful making me long for the cooler months ahead.
March 28, 2024
My poor kid just wishes we lived somewhere cold so this book soothes her winter heart lol
December 2, 2022
I read this with my eight-year-old granddaughter who I’ll refer to as the LBG. She’s at the top end of the target age group for this book, but ate it right up. We had a fun time reading it, laughing and vicariously having fun along with the girl and her dog as they explored the winter wonderland, playing and making fun discoveries. When we finished, I asked LBG what she though of the book and she gave a big thumbs up. I agreed.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews