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Kipper the Dog
Kipper's Snowy Day
Huge cotton ball snowflakes are tumbling past Kipper’s window, and he can’t wait to go outside to play!
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL73631...
https://openlibrary.org/books/OL73631...
32 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1996
About the author
Mick Inkpen
388 books67 followersMick Inkpen is one of the most popular author/illustrators in the world. His books have sold over 4 million copies, and have been translated into over twenty different languages. His best-loved characters are probably Kipper and Wibbly Pig – who are both stars of their very own TV series!
He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.
In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
He began his career as a graphic designer, and worked with another children’s author Nick Butterworth (of Percy the Park Keeper fame) on a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express. In 1989 The Blue Balloon was published to great acclaim, and established him as an important and original voice in children’s picture books. He and his wife, Debbie, also had children of their own by this point: “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
Mick lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
He began his career as a graphic designer, declining a place to study English at Cambridge University. During this period he worked with Nick Butterworth, a fellow children’s author, from whom he learned design and typography. Together they developed a cartoon strip for the Sunday Express magazine, later to become a first series of children’s picture books. They also worked in children’s television.
In 1989 The Blue Balloon established him as a truly original voice in children’s picture books, by which time Mick and his wife Debbie had two children of their own. “Without the experience of having children of my own I doubt that I would have been capable of writing effectively for children. And yet it’s true that good work really springs from trying to please yourself”
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
October 17, 2024
Oh Kipper! An adorable book with cute pictures and engaging writing for children that doesn’t talk down to them. And interesting adverbs like, “Crossly, he heaved himself over once more.”
Here are a few more examples of the prose:
“Tiger pointed up at the sky.
A watery sun was seeping through the gray clouds.”
And:
“But when he tried to get up, he could not. He was too round. He just lay there waving his arms and legs like a beetle on its back.”
And:
“And by the time the sun began to dip toward the hill, making their shadows long and skinny, Kipper and Tiger had rolled enough snow to the bottom to build a giant snow dog.
They watched their shadows lengthen and fade.
"It'll all be gone by tomorrow,"
said Tiger. "There's a warm wind coming."
Here are a few more examples of the prose:
“Tiger pointed up at the sky.
A watery sun was seeping through the gray clouds.”
And:
“But when he tried to get up, he could not. He was too round. He just lay there waving his arms and legs like a beetle on its back.”
And:
“And by the time the sun began to dip toward the hill, making their shadows long and skinny, Kipper and Tiger had rolled enough snow to the bottom to build a giant snow dog.
They watched their shadows lengthen and fade.
"It'll all be gone by tomorrow,"
said Tiger. "There's a warm wind coming."
February 15, 2025
❄️ 💗 This book is great! It captures some of the magical joy of childhood in the snow and is written beautifully.
“Huge cotton ball snowflakes were tumbling past Kipper’s window.”
“The snow lay deep and smooth and new, like an empty page waiting to be scribbled on.”
“Huge cotton ball snowflakes were tumbling past Kipper’s window.”
“The snow lay deep and smooth and new, like an empty page waiting to be scribbled on.”
October 31, 2020
A lovely wintery story about two friends enjoying the snow. There are a few examples of similes in the story which could be useful for teaching about their impact on the reader and how they make the text more exciting to read. There are also lots of science links including shadows, positions of the sun at different times of the year/day and changes of state. FS and KS1 children would enjoy the story as a read-aloud book with learning links to science, while lower KS2 children may be able to explore these links further. An engaging and funny story which I think children would really enjoy, especially around winter.
December 22, 2025
My son enjoyed this one and even read it himself which he was chuffed about. Bless him!
Read
April 8, 2012Story Outline.
Kipper wakes one morning and is very excited to see snow outside his bedroom window. He gets dressed and makes different shapes in the snow. Kipper finds his friend wrapped up it in his hat, gloves and scarf on and they have snow ball fight together. Tiger rolls in the snow and finds himself turned into a huge snowball. They spent the next part of the story making a snow dog and gave it one of their hats and scarf. The snow dog stayed for three whole weeks but got smaller and smaller until he melted away.
Every page has a small amount of text that is written in a large print. The page next to it has a whole page of a bright colourful illustration to support the text. I like the fact that each page contains a small amount of speech which would work well to support children’s introduction to speech marks in the EYFS or early stages of literacy in Key Stage one.
The story has beautiful, simple descriptive words to explain the snow for example “Huge cotton wool snowflakes were tumbling past Kipper’s window”.
This story could be used to support certain class themes or knowledge and understanding of the world themes. For example explaining what happens to snow when it melts, what clothes are appropriate when it snows or is winter time. I have always felt that this story really capture the children’s imagination. The characters in the story really give enjoyment to the children and I’ve always found that once this book has been read to them, they will chose to look at it in the book corner which I feel shows the power of this book.
Kipper wakes one morning and is very excited to see snow outside his bedroom window. He gets dressed and makes different shapes in the snow. Kipper finds his friend wrapped up it in his hat, gloves and scarf on and they have snow ball fight together. Tiger rolls in the snow and finds himself turned into a huge snowball. They spent the next part of the story making a snow dog and gave it one of their hats and scarf. The snow dog stayed for three whole weeks but got smaller and smaller until he melted away.
Every page has a small amount of text that is written in a large print. The page next to it has a whole page of a bright colourful illustration to support the text. I like the fact that each page contains a small amount of speech which would work well to support children’s introduction to speech marks in the EYFS or early stages of literacy in Key Stage one.
The story has beautiful, simple descriptive words to explain the snow for example “Huge cotton wool snowflakes were tumbling past Kipper’s window”.
This story could be used to support certain class themes or knowledge and understanding of the world themes. For example explaining what happens to snow when it melts, what clothes are appropriate when it snows or is winter time. I have always felt that this story really capture the children’s imagination. The characters in the story really give enjoyment to the children and I’ve always found that once this book has been read to them, they will chose to look at it in the book corner which I feel shows the power of this book.
November 21, 2024
Everywhere in the country has snow ... except for where I live. Feeling disappointed , I decided to read this to get into the snowy spirit. It's a lovely story about what fun you can have in the snow and I really enjoyed reading it.
Elijah's Verdict (3 months old)
He absolutely loved this one and was really interactive with all the pictures. He kept reaching out to them and gave them a good feel each time a page was turned (I think it's time to get out the touch and feel books). It was a perfect bedtime story as it only took him a few minutes to drift off into a deep sleep after.
Elijah's Verdict (3 months old)
He absolutely loved this one and was really interactive with all the pictures. He kept reaching out to them and gave them a good feel each time a page was turned (I think it's time to get out the touch and feel books). It was a perfect bedtime story as it only took him a few minutes to drift off into a deep sleep after.
March 21, 2024
i used to watch the animated Kipper when i was younger and now that i'm reading the picture books, i'm reminded of how much i absolutely adore him. Kipper's excitement and Kipperness are bound to capture the hearts of all readers young and old. a good book for sipping hot cocoa and watching the snow :)
July 5, 2023
I think this is the first Kipper book that I've read. Lovely illustrations and a charming story perfect for Christmas time or winter. We all need that little bit eccentric friend like Tiger.
3 stars.
3 stars.
September 9, 2019
A cute story with great illustrations. A little wordy for a toddler, but great for a preschooler who can follow a story. Cute idea of dressing up the snow dog. Kids may follow suit.
Read
December 31, 2024There are some really beautifully poetic lines in this book, which features two dogs enjoying the snow. I thought it was fun how they ended up rolling down the hill like snowballs.
March 23, 2013
Kipper's Snowy Day by Mick Inkpen tells about Kipper the dog's snow day playing with his friend Tiger.
Inkpen's appealing illustrations focus mainly on the two dogs. Two panel, and one & two page spreads are utilized. My favorite images are cover, tongue, Tiger points, again, snowdog and last three pictures.
Inkpen's text includes descriptive phrases like "cotton ball snowflakes", "like a beetle on his back", and "clean, white, empty page." Quibbles: I wonder about this friendship - Kipper throws snowballs at Tiger, when he says something Kipper didn't want to hear. Kipper doesn't seem to even try to help Tiger get up.
Besides that complaint I liked the book. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, particularly the snow creation. 3.5 stars.
For ages 2.5 to 5, snow, winter, friends, play, dogs, and fans of Mick Inkpen.
Inkpen's appealing illustrations focus mainly on the two dogs. Two panel, and one & two page spreads are utilized. My favorite images are cover, tongue, Tiger points, again, snowdog and last three pictures.
Inkpen's text includes descriptive phrases like "cotton ball snowflakes", "like a beetle on his back", and "clean, white, empty page." Quibbles: I wonder about this friendship - Kipper throws snowballs at Tiger, when he says something Kipper didn't want to hear. Kipper doesn't seem to even try to help Tiger get up.
Besides that complaint I liked the book. I especially enjoyed the illustrations, particularly the snow creation. 3.5 stars.
For ages 2.5 to 5, snow, winter, friends, play, dogs, and fans of Mick Inkpen.
January 7, 2012
Almost as good as the video that I watched last night. Almost. Have to say that the videos are better with their adorable actions and even more adorable British accents. But you know I would not turn down a book version of something I love! And the book and video are very closely related. I wonder which came first.
June 22, 2010
My son has become enthralled with Kipper. We picked up a second hand movie and I admit, the stories are simplistic but sweet, and the accents are appealing. The books, well, maybe without the accents it just isn't as cute. Still good though.
August 25, 2011
Again, I didn't like the insulting language, which may be used in the book to connect with young readers, but I thought it was discouraging and unnecessary so omitted it. But otherwise a compelling, slightly complicated story for my 2.5-y-o, but she enjoyed it and wanted it read twice.
January 16, 2014
I'm not a dog person, but Kipper is the cutest pup ever! In this story he celebrates the snow with his friend Tiger, getting up to the usual snowplay: a snowball fight, snow angels and making a snowdog. Lots of fun!
May 16, 2014
I enjoyed reading this to my 2 year old granddaughter. We have read several Kipper books but I really liked this one as it was more of a 'story' than just basic words on a page. They are all good but this one was really nice to read. Kipper playing in the snow with his friend Tiger....
September 3, 2011
Kipper and his friend Tiger have fun playing in the snow -- a gentle and fun story with the moral that wooly clothing isn't much good in the snow, unless you're a dog.
October 19, 2013
Kipper's Snowy Day
by Mick Inkpen
a cute emergent reader book series related to the pbs show that helps kids recognize words and topics related to school, home and outside.
by Mick Inkpen
a cute emergent reader book series related to the pbs show that helps kids recognize words and topics related to school, home and outside.
January 13, 2014
Too long for story time, but a good length for reading to one or two children, which I did at church yesterday.
January 20, 2017
I felt like the text to picture ratio was a little unbalanced for a book aimed at younger kids, but still enjoyable and laughed throughout.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews