By Bianca Schulze, The Children’s Book Review
Published: February 7, 2012
Over and Under the Snow
By Kate Messner; illustrated by Christpher Silas Neal
As a child skis down a mountain with her dad and spots a red squirrel disappearing down a crack, she asks the question: “Where did he go?” To which her dad responds: “Under the snow.” The little girl’s world suddenly expands as her mind is opened to a whole new natural world. Messner’s text appeals to the senses and her author’s note is educational and encourages children to take in their surrounding on their next snowy adventure. Neal’s mixed media illustrations have retro appeal and capture the wintery scenery well with the combination of cool colors and earthy tones. Animal, nature and science entusiasts will love this book—especially the facts provided in the back of the book about all of the animals featured in the story. (Ages 5-8. Publisher: Chronicle Books LLC)
Razzle-Dazzle Ruby
By Masha D’yans
Masha D’yans’ fantastical debut book Razzle-Dazzle Ruby is charmingly artistic. The illustrations are moving—literally. Every page of this novelty picture book offers a playful and enticing wintery wonderland for young readers to lose themselves in. (Ages 4-8. Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.)
I Am Small
By Emma Dodd
With an icy cold backdrop and splashes of shimmery silver on every second page, a little penguin manages to cope with the big obstacles in life—deep ocean and steep mountains—because of his mother’s warm love. Sweet with its repetitive text, I Am Small is a delightful little tale for mothers to share with their young ones. (Ages 0-3. Publisher: Scholastic, Inc.)
The Tree House
By Marije Tolman and Ronald Tolman
The Tree House is a wordless and imaginative wonder that enchants readers with its wide array of characters (Bears, pandas, rhinos, and birds of many feathers) that visit a tree house located in what seems to be the middle of nowhere. Each character is so different, yet they all manage to co-exist in the marvelous tree house. Pastel and mid-hue colors splash across beautiful double-page spreads of mixed media that emphasize the differences between the various animals and highlight the bonds of friendship that form. A delicate but powerful message awaits those who choose to ponder the elegance of this treasure. (Ages 3-5. Publisher: Lemniscaat USA)
Little Bea and the Snowy Day
By Daniel Roode
Daniel Roode has created a pitch-perfect, playful day in the snow. The full-color art created with Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop splashes brightly and lightly (the snowflakes gently flurry down) across every page. Large text and descriptive words evoke the senses so much that readers can easily imagine themselves playing along with Little Bea and her friends. When the day is over, Little Bea makes plans to see her friends tomorrow; my guess is that your little reader (or listener) will also be making plans for tomorrow: plans to read this book over-and-over-and-over again! (Ages 2-5. Publisher: HarperCollins)
Brave Irene
Those who are fans of award-winning William Steig will be excited to know that Brave Irene (the 1986 New York Times Book Review Best Illustrated Book of the Year) has been rereleased in paperback. When Irene’s mother falls ill, Irene braves the harsh winter storm and its yodelling wind to deliver a dress to the duchess who lives over the mountain. Steig’s story showcases perseverance and the wonderful bond between a mother and her daughter. As the pages turn, the illustrations become progressively darker in tone adding dramatics to the entertaining text, before they lighten and brighten for the happy ending. A *cool* choice for winter reading. (Ages 4-8. Publisher: Square Fish)
