Let it Snow!

Here in the south we don’t get a lot of snow, and that’s a good thing, because when we get even the slightest warning of a trace, the entire area FREAKS OUT! The problem is that people here don’t know how to drive well in the snow and there are not a lot of plows available, but it is kind of funny to watch.

With all that said and the fact that it is January, the snowiest month, I thought it would be appropriate to put together a collection of books about snow.

Gail Gibbons is a master at writing non-fiction texts for kids that are still fun to read. In her book, It’s Snowing, young readers get a complete lesson in snow from how it forms, where it falls, different types of snow storms, and how to stay safe and have fun. Gibbons does a great job of breaking up the info so that kids of all ages can enjoy this book and get useful information that they are ready for.

Mark Cassino and Jon Nelson bring kids a very interesting take on the science of snow in The Story of Snow. The book starts with illustrations by Nora Auyago exploring how snow forms from specks that exist with water vapor in clouds. As the book progresses and explains different types of snow crystals, the images also move to photographs instead of illustrations. For anyone wanting to know more specifics on the science and how snow forms, this book is for you.

Another great look at the winter world can be found in Kate Messner’s Over and Under the Snow. When a young girl and her father go skiing, they catch sight of the tale of a squirrel and the young girl wonders where it is going. Her father explains that the “Under the snow is a whole secret kingdom where the smallest forest animals stay safe and warm.” With marvelous illustrations, this book explores that world and even has a list of all of the animals with information about them in the back.

When winter snow has shut down schools and businesses, what is the best thing for a kid to do? Go sledding! While my kids and their neighborhood friends like to sled down the golf course, Rebecca Rule’s fun book, The Iciest, Diciest, Scariest, Sled Ride Ever! tells the adventure of 7 young children as they take an old-fashioned travis sled out for the ultimate sled ride. Getting the sled up the hill is an adventure in and of itself, but they persevere and enjoy the best sled ride of their lives. A super fun look at a simple winter joy.

Most children love maple syrup, but few know where it comes from. In Sugar on Snow, by Nan Parson Rossiter, young readers learn the story of how one family taps the maple trees to make the delicious syrup that we all enjoy. It is great to consider the all day process that happens just as spring is coming and the special treat of putting hot, fresh syrup over a bowl of clean snow.

I’m personally not a huge fan of winter weather. I’m happiest curled up by the fire with a good book. Whatever weather winter is bringing your way, happy reading!