This Place in the Snow

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Here is the perfect picture book to share with young ones who waitall year long for the first snowfall. In this exquisite tale, a snow falls silently during the night, blanketing a town in white. The children awaken in the morning to the sounds of a plow and rush outside. A mountain of snow waits for them. What will it become? Together they round and mound and shape and carve the snow—until they have a kingdom all their own.

Author Biography: Rebecca Bond's poetic text is matched with luminous, expressive illustrations that celebrate a favorite winter pastime. She is the author- illustrator of three previous picture books.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

An overnight snowfall means plenty of outdoor fun for a creative, rambunctious clan of kids in this picture-book tribute to winter and the pleasures of simpler times. Though the flakes have "hatted the houses and capsuled the cars in thick and sticky white," during the night, the kids aren't aware of the storm until they are awakened by the rumbling and rattling of the snowplow in the morning. A mad dash to pull on layers of clothing and down a breakfast of hotcakes precedes their emergence into the fresh winter wonderland. Following some brainstorming, the kids set to work digging, hollowing and shoveling a magnificent snow fort to play in ("They were kings in a kingdom uncovered"). Bond's (When Marcus Moore Moved In) snowy imagery and imaginative play ideas are spot on, though occasionally her poetic text wears a reverent tone and stiff phrasing that doesn't quite match the kid-like enthusiasm of her characters and subject matter. Her swirling brushstrokes, however, capture both winter's beauty and kids' bright and bouncy exuberance to the fullest. Children sporting a rainbow of woolen wear and snowsuits against a backdrop of an icy blue snow mound make a memorable portrait. Ages 5-up. (Nov.) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Children's Literature - Denise Daley

There is a silent peacefulness that comes with freshly fallen snow. It seems as if all sounds are muffled as the gentle blanket of white softly covers all in its path. Of course, the silence does not last long. As a small sleepy town slowly awakens, anticipation begins to build as the children eagerly await the snowplow. The passing of the snowplow seems to officially signal the start of snow time frolic. With a fluid rhythm this book tells of the flurry of fun and excitement that comes as people of all ages play together in the snow. The illustrations in this oversized book are just as engaging as the story. They convey a cozy feeling of warmth and togetherness as everyone digs and burrows through the massive mounds of snow. This colorful picture book will surely delight readers young and old as they fondly remember wet mittens, cold red toes, warm fires, and hot soup, all on a cold winter's day. 2004, Dutton/Penguin, Ages 4 to 8.

School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2-In a comforting, rhythmic text, Bond explores the magic of waking up to a world blanketed with snow. As the plow comes through and creates a mountain, village children bolt down breakfasts, don snowsuits and boots, and head outdoors. Tunneling, hollowing, digging, and shoveling, the youngsters spend all day building and enjoying a massive play area on the snow mound. Their delight in their "kingdom" and their return at nightfall as the snow begins again brings this comfy story to an end. The free-flowing, poetic text uses strong imagery to depict a place and time reminiscent of the 1950s or '60s in Vermont. The full-color illustrations dance across the pages, suffused with shades of blue in the snow and surrounded by white inside the houses. The art celebrates snow and the enthusiasm of children with lush wide angles and perspectives that invite sharing with a group. As a paean to both the joy of winter and cooperative play, this timeless tale will find a warm welcome in most collections.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Kirkus Reviews