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192nd out of 935 books
—
639 voters
The Happy Day
Snow is falling. All the animals are fast asleep in their animal homes. Slowly they awake. They open their eyes and sniff. They run. And in the middle of the forest they find a bright yellow flower growing in the snow--and they dance and laugh with joy at this first sign of spring.
Hardcover, 36 pages
Published
January 1st 1949
by HarperCollins
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We're finishing up our six weeks of "A Caldecott Cacophony" story times, and as tomorrow is Groundhog's Day what better theme to celebrate than "Shapes & Shadows"? I happen to love this particular story because... it's so full of energy and contrasts. It informs about forest creatures that hibernate (including snails! who woulda' thunk?)and ends with a happy surprise.
We do story times with performer pairs (on good days), which means, either we can both hold up the book and trade off narratin...more
We do story times with performer pairs (on good days), which means, either we can both hold up the book and trade off narratin...more
May 07, 2011
Dolly
rated it
3 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
parents reading with their children
We borrowed this book as part of a kit from our library, with this paperback book and an audiocassette narrated by John Cunningham. I first heard the book twice as we drove in the car, as our girls followed along with the book. I wasn't overly impressed and it sounded like a Fun With Dick and Jane kind of story. But later, I saw the black and white illustrations that accompany the story and I was won over. Marc Simont is a favorite from the Nate The Great stories and The Stray Dog and he doesn't...more
This book’s pictures were very detailed however they were all black and white. The words were very simple but the detailed pictures told so much more, for every animal they were talking about it should that animal in complete detail, like mice. What I liked about these illustrations is that they were 3 dimensional so it added density to the picture because this allowed you to see the whole scene. Also this books contrast also really painted the picture because the background was all white becaus...more
Caldecott Honor - 1950
The use of color is very important to this story. The cover is a very bold shade of yellow. In the middle is a “carved out” black and white image of animals at play. Artist begins showing all of the animals, hidden in the snowy landscape, from smallest to largest. I like how each animal is represented equally and with their own two-page layout. There is no way of knowing which animal the artist prefers. In the conclusion of the story all of the animals are focused around t...more
The use of color is very important to this story. The cover is a very bold shade of yellow. In the middle is a “carved out” black and white image of animals at play. Artist begins showing all of the animals, hidden in the snowy landscape, from smallest to largest. I like how each animal is represented equally and with their own two-page layout. There is no way of knowing which animal the artist prefers. In the conclusion of the story all of the animals are focused around t...more
All of the illustrations in this book were black and white except for a yellow flower on the last page. I really liked how the author showed the animal’s journey individually and as a whole by showing the light at the end with a yellow flower. You were really able to see detail in the pictures and know what the story was about with only looking at the pictures and not reading the words. This would be an excellent book for young children because you could help them with animal identification and...more
Nov 11, 2012
Cecilia Marsh
rated it
5 of 5 stars
·
review of another edition
Recommends it for:
kids, spanish speakers, immersion families
Recommended to Cecilia by:
Karen
I'm reviewing the Spanish version of this book as that's the version our family has read.
This is another case of book that chose us. My son is learning to read in Spanish as the result of us admitting him into an Immersion program. So good children's books in Spanish are hard to find ... especially books in Spanish at my reading level (about first grade??)
We enjoyed this book a lot over dinner and anytime a family can make a memory like that, it means a lot. I can see why it won an award. I app...more
This is another case of book that chose us. My son is learning to read in Spanish as the result of us admitting him into an Immersion program. So good children's books in Spanish are hard to find ... especially books in Spanish at my reading level (about first grade??)
We enjoyed this book a lot over dinner and anytime a family can make a memory like that, it means a lot. I can see why it won an award. I app...more
2.5
I'm sorry, but this will go down in history with Anne Frank as one of the more disappointing classic books I have ever read. It's ok, but just not up to par with many other picture books that are now available. The challenge is with publishing costs having decreased, and everyone feeling they can make a children's book better than the next person, this book just doesn't seem to stand the strain of time.
Eh. I do love animals though.
I'm sorry, but this will go down in history with Anne Frank as one of the more disappointing classic books I have ever read. It's ok, but just not up to par with many other picture books that are now available. The challenge is with publishing costs having decreased, and everyone feeling they can make a children's book better than the next person, this book just doesn't seem to stand the strain of time.
Eh. I do love animals though.
This is a story about animals in the winter-time. They smell something, then run off. At the end, you find out that they smell the first flower of spring.
I could use this book in a science lesson when teaching the change in seasons. This book shows what happens when winter changes into spring. The class can use this book as a way to start the discussion about other signs of spring and other seasons.
I could use this book in a science lesson when teaching the change in seasons. This book shows what happens when winter changes into spring. The class can use this book as a way to start the discussion about other signs of spring and other seasons.
With its black and white illustrations, I thought this one was just okay. It would work for a storytime on hibernation or spring, but there are many better books out there. Also, I had a question about the snails. Do they really hibernate? Sniff? Run?? They certainly wouldn't be able to keep up with squirrels, groundhogs, field mice, and bears! I do like the ending with its one touch of color. 2.5 stars.
This book won a 1950 Caldecott Honor, but like "Bartholomew and the Ooblecks," which also won a honor that year, I don't agree with the award. The story is very simple. All the animals, birds and insects of the forest are hibernating for the winter until spring arrives. I liked the black and white illustrations, esp the snails. Recommended for ages 1-7, 2 stars.
Snow is falling. All the animals are fast asleep in their animal homes. Slowly they awake. They open their eyes and sniff. They run. And in the middle of the forest they find a bright yellow flower growing in the snow--and they dance and laugh with joy at this first sign of spring.
The animals are all asleep in their winter homes when all of sudden, they all start waking up. We don't find out why until the very last page, but it's a sweet reason. Love the b/w illustrations in this Caldecott Honor book.
The black and white drawings are uninspiring but the story book is cute. The story is simple and good as an easy reader. This was a Caldecott winner but I guess I don't see why....not much on the way inspiring art.
This Caldecott Honor book shows animals in their winter homes - with a sweet surprise at the end to explain why they are all starting to wake up! Black and white illustrations. Pair with OVER AND UNDER THE SNOW.
I requested this book from another library because someone had said it made a good readaloud. I looked over the book a few times and I would have to respectfully disagree. Oh well.
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This is a book full of repetition and simple text that lead the reader to understand that some animals sleep through the cold winters. It also captures the excitement of winter's end.
Read this at a baby storytime and it went well. I used a lot of voice infliction to help keep interest on the book and it worked well. Will use again in the future.
A sweet, simple story about all the animals who are hibernating for the winter waking up when they smell something special in the forest - the first flower of spring.
5* art (love that the book is entirely in black and white except for the one yellow flower at the end)
3* story (but the artwork covers for it)
3* story (but the artwork covers for it)
There's not a lot to this book other than wonderful black & white drawings and the sheer joy of Spring that has arrived!
This is a simple book about a flower blooming in winter. I thought it was nice and the pictures are well done.
Anybody who thinks this isn't a five star book is a fucking idiot.
Great story. Kids loved the black and white pictures.
JECAL-Kra seeing the first flower of spring- very happy
lovely illustrations, even in black and white!
Perfect read a loud for preschoolers.
Vrey simple. Caldecott honor
1950 Caldecott Honor
I totally love this book. This is exactly how I feel at the beginning of spring! Besides, yellow is a fabulously cheerful color and is my favorite.
I totally love this book. This is exactly how I feel at the beginning of spring! Besides, yellow is a fabulously cheerful color and is my favorite.
WAMWAO Session 10
How did this get nominated for a Caldecott?
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