The Children’s Book Review | December 21, 2013
For readers ready to go on a snowy adventure, look no further than the following books that prove snow days are truly magical. We’ve got 4 picture books, 1 early reader and a novel filled with non-stop action for middle grade readers—so, put on your cozy PJs, pour multiple warm cups of cocoa (with marshmallows and whipped cream … if desired) and cozy up in your favorite reading nook with your favorite young reader.
Picture Books
By Hans Christian Andersen; Illustrated by Bagram Ibatoulline
Publisher’s Synopsis: Hans Christian Andersen’s The Snow Queen, the classic tale of friendship, love, and bravery, is beautifully retold with lavish illustrations by master artist Bagram Ibatoulline.
Best friends Kai and Gerda would do anything for each other. When Kai starts to behave cruelly and disappears, Gerda sets out on an epic quest to save Kai from the evil Snow Queen. But can Gerda break the Snow Queen’s enchantment and complete the final task?
Full of magic and wonder, this new picture book will delight fans of beloved classics like “Thumbelina,” “The Princess and the Pea,” and “The Little Mermaid.”
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: HarperCollins | Oct. 8, 2013 | ISBN: 978-0062209504
Publisher’s Synopsis: When it snows, magic happens. Follow a boy and his teddy bear on a wondrous snowy adventure which will lead readers of all ages to a surprising place.
Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Feiwel & Friends | Aug. 27 , 2013 | ISBN: 978-1250028310
Publisher’s Synopsis: While “helping” his mother with holiday housecleaning, a boy keeps a watchful eye on the progress of a winter storm. He’s hoping for a big snow. A really big snow. Inside, he is underfoot, turning sheet-changing and tub-scrubbing into imaginary whiteouts. Outside, flakes are flying. But over the course of a long day (for Mom) the clouds seem slow on delivering a serious snowfall. Then comes a dreamy naptime adventure, marking just the beginning of high hopes coming true in this irresistible seasonal story.
Ages 3-6 | Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux | Sept. 24 , 2013 | ISBN: 978-0374306960
By Tatyana Feeney
Little Owl loves many things, including his tree house in City Park, riding his scooter, and eating ice cream. But he does not love the new orange scarf his mommy makes him wear. It’s too long. It’s too itchy. It’s too. . . orange! After several attempts to lose his orange scarf, Little Owl finally succeeds. But after a trip to the yarn store, Mommy has the perfect solution to keep Little Owl warm and happy. Moms of stubborn toddlers everywhere will recognize this mommy owl’s dilemma.
Ages 0-3 | Publisher: Alfred A. Knopf for Young Readers | June 11 , 2013 | ISBN: 978-0449814116
Early Reader
By Ree Drummond
Publisher’s Synopsis: Ree Drummond (also known as The Pioneer Woman) and Charlie the Ranch Dog return in this snow-filled I Can Read title.
When Charlie wakes up to a world covered in snow, he can’t wait to go outside. He even takes a break from patrol duty to go sledding with his friends Walter and Sister. But when Walter goes missing, it’s up to Charlie to take control of the situation and bring his buddy back.
Charlie the Ranch Dog stars in bestselling author Ree Drummond’s I Can Read title, just right for reading on your own snowy day! Charlie’s Snow Day is a Level One I Can Read book, which means it’s perfect for children learning to sound out words and sentences.
Ages 4-8 | Publisher: HarperCollins | Oct. 8 , 2013 | ISBN: 978-0062219114
Chapter Book
By Kurtis Scaletta
Publisher’s Synopsis: Seven feet of snow, four science-fair nerds, one creepy junkyard.
Get ready for the ultimate robot battle.
Jim is tired of being the sidekick to his scientific genius, robot-obsessed, best friend Oliver. So this winter, when it comes time to choose partners for the science fair, Jim dumps Oliver and teams up with a girl instead. Rocky has spotted wild otters down by the river, and her idea is to study them.
But what they discover is bigger—and much more menacing—than fuzzy otters: a hidden junkyard on abandoned Half Street. And as desolate as it may seem, there’s something living in the junkyard. Something that won’t be contained for long by the rusty fences and mounds of snow. Can Jim and Rocky—along with Oliver and his new science-fair partner—put aside their rivalry and unite their robot-building skills? Whatever is lurking on Half Street is about to meet its match.
Ages 10 and up | Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers | Oct. 8 , 2013 | ISBN: 978-0307931863