Friends in the Snow

Text: Daniel Postgate

Illustrations: Sam Childs

Year: 2012

Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture book

ISBN: 978 1 40711 539 9

Here’s another delightful book that celebrates a child’s unique ability to imagine much like Bruno’s Box. I liked this book also because it encourages children to explore their creative instincts and to be bold about their expressions. 

Brave little Lucy is startled by the white monster on the stark white bedroom wall. After failing to ignore the monster’s grunts and howls, she befriends him and takes him for a walk to discover new friends.

The adventure doesn't end … :-)

Excerpt

The penguin looked north, south, east and west.

He saw that Lucy was quite right, there was nothing but white.

“Then I’m King of Nothing,” said the penguin. “And Nothing will have to do.”

Pooh’s Sled Ride

Text: Isabel Gaines

Illustrations: Studio Orlando

Year: 2000

Publisher: Random House Children's Books, USA

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 38

Book Type: Picture Book, Reading for beginners

ISBN:  978 0 73641 159 3

This book belongs to the Winnie the Pooh First Reader series designed to encourage and engage young readers to learn to read through the adventures of beloved Pooh.

It’s a beautiful winter morning. So Pooh, Christopher Robin and the rest of the friends decide to go sledding.

They have a wonderful time going down the big hill except for Piglet. He falls off. Not once but three times. They try placing him in different places but fail to keep him. Finally, Christopher asks him to sit in the middle. So they hold on tightly and he has a gleeful ride down the hill.

Excerpt

They all piled onto Christopher Robin’s sled.

Piglet hung on to Tigger’s tail at the very back.

Down, down they went.

“Wee!” They laughed and giggled.

Little Penguin Lost

Text: Tracey Corderoy

Illustrations: Gavin Scott

Year: 2011

Publisher: Little Tiger Press, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84895 244 7

Tracey Corderoy spins magic again with a beautiful tale set in the magical frozen land of the penguins.

Little Plip loves his sock toy. At the end of a very playful day, he’s devastated to discover that he’s lost his beloved Sockybug. He’s determined to find it even though his older siblings caution him against wandering away in the fading light.

Their worst fears come true when Plip bumps into Wal-the-Wump, a walrus but they’re all in for a terrific surprise that ushers in a delightful new friendship.

The illustrations are absolutely wonderful and the attention to detail is breathtaking. 

The kids loved the book.

Excerpt

Everyone searched for Plip’s little sock toy.

They checked under the water …then inside all the caves.

“Where can he be?” sighed Plip. “He’ll be wanting a cuddle.”

It’s Snowing!

By Olivier Dunrea

Year: 2010

Publisher: Square Fish, New York

Age: 6 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 31260 216 1

The first snowfall is often a magical and momentous time for most of us. This book is a tender narrative of a mother’s delight at introducing her baby to her first snowfall. The text and illustrations are enchanting.

Excerpt

“Baby, taste the snow!”

Baby opens his mouth.

“Baby, touch the snow!”

Baby flies into the air.

Let’s go home, Little Bear!

Text: Martin Waddell

Illustrations: Barbara Firth

Year: 1991 (2005)

Publisher: Walker Books, London

Age: 5 - 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 84428 492 4

This delightfully, charming story of Little Bear and Big Bear walking back home through snow makes for imaginative reading.

Little Bear thinks he hears a Plodder when Big Bear explains is the sound of his feet in the snow. He then hears a Dripper which turns out to be ice dripping into the stream. They encounter many more sounds until they reach home. Big Bear tucks Little Bear into a warm blanket and weaves a story of
Plodders, Drippers and Ploppers until both are fast asleep.

Excerpt

“I thought I heard something!” Little Bear said.

“What did you hear?” said Big Bear.

“Drip, drip, drip,” said Little Bear. “I think it’s a Dripper!”

Kipper’s Snowy Day

By Mick Inkpen, Wikipedia

Year: 1996

Publisher: Hodder Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 - 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 0 34093 210 0

This book is about the delightfully charming duo of playful puppies, Kipper (Wikipedia) and Tiger.

It’s snowing and that makes it just the perfect day for fun and frolic. They roll down the hill and make a giant snowdog dressed up with Tiger’s clothes.

They are thrilled to discover more snow the next day and the next. And so, their work of pristine puppy art stands for almost three whole weeks.

Excerpt

Kipper charged down the hill.

‘Are you all right, Tiger?’ he panted.

Tiger pulled off his silly, woolly hat.

A big grin spread across his face.

‘Again!’ he said.

Little Deer Lost

Text: Janet Bingham

Illustrations: Rosalind Beardshaw

Year: 2011

Publisher: Scholastic Children’s Books, London

Age: 3 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 40711 0 400

Silver and Sparkle, a couple of little fawns are ecstatic at their very first snowfall. The snow turns out to be everything their mom promised it would be – cold, soft and beautiful. They play, race each other, roll and slide on the snow until they find themselves lost. Suddenly, the snow feels cold, heavy and very deep.

After a while though, their mum finds them and the magic is renewed.

Excerpt

Soon the sky was full of snowflakes. Silver chased them, and Sparkle flicked them with her tail.

As the snow settled, Silver kicked up little flurries, and Sparkle made patterns with her footprints.

After a while the snowflakes stopped falling, and Silver and Sparkle gazed around. A blanket of snow lay over everything. 

When the snow comes

By Jonathan Allen

Year:  2010

Publisher: Boxer Books, London

Age: 3 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN:  978 1 90796 713 9

This enchanting story of the first snowfall of the season is also our very first book on yaks. :-) They look adorable in this book.

As Little Yak prepares for his very first winter, we get a glimpse into all the different ways in which his friends prepare for the cold. The Pika stores up grass, Bear hibernates and Blue Thrush flies away to his warm winter home.

Little Yak is grateful that he can withstand the icy winter, thanks to his shaggy coat, and enjoy the snowfall surrounded by his mother's warmth.

Excerpt

“Well, what do yaks do when the snow comes?” asked Little Yak.

“We stay right where we are,” said Mum. “our thick shaggy coats keep us warm.. And little yaks snuggle up close to their mums.”

Henry’s Holiday

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Rosie Reeve

Year: 2009

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Book, London

Age: 3 - 7 years

No. of Pages: 30

Book Type: Picture Book

ISBN: 978 0 23073 633 7

Books that feature penguins on ice are always welcome. :-)

Meet Henry, a sweet little penguin who dreams of living on a tropical island because he just feels too cold on the ice!

His wish is fulfilled but he soon misses the love and friendship at home and, of course, the icy chill!

Excerpt

The island was full of palm trees and coconuts and pineapples. Everything was bright and warm and colorful. Henry was DELIGHTED.

But when he waddled up the beach, the sand wasn't soft and smooth and slippery like the snow.

Sam’s Snowflake

Text: Gillian Shields

Illustrations: Rosie Reeve

Year: 2008

Publisher: Macmillan Children’s Books, London

Age: 2 – 6 years

No. of Pages: 32

Book Type: Picture Book, paperback

ISBN: 978 0 23053 178 9

This is a gentle Christmas story that explores the deep bond that children forge with their dads.

Little Sam can’t wait to do fun things with his dad but he’s gone away to ‘fetch a special Christmas surprise’.

As Christmas Eve slowly fades into a cold, dark night Sam worries that his dad might get lost. He makes a glittery star that he puts up at the highest window to guide his father back home.

The book offers a gentle opportunity to explain to little ones, especially those prone to separation anxiety that parents come back. 

Oh yes, there’s a generous smattering of glitter through the pages too! :-)

Excerpt

Sam couldn't wait for the snow to come.

Every Christmas, Dad helped him to make a snow bear, took him toboganning and played roly-poly snowball fights. 

The Legend of the Christmas Kiss

Text: Barbie Penkins

Illustrations: Joyce Revoir

Year: 2005

Publisher: Howard Publishing Co., USA

Age: 3 – 8 years

No. of Pages: 34

Book Type: Picture book, Poetry

ISBN:  978 1 58229 450 6

Here’s a truly adorable festive story that takes place during the very first Christmas.

When Baby Jesus is born, all the angels wonder what would make a perfect gift for the baby. A little angel wishes to kiss His face. That strange wish sets in motion a series of delightful events culminating in one of the most beautiful natural events, snowflakes.

The paintings are fabulous! :-)

This is a splendid book - one that could become an heirloom.

Excerpt

Sparkling specks fell from the sky.

All day and through the night.

They didn't stop ‘til morning came

And everything was white.