A Big Bed for Little Snow

by Grace Lin

A picture book introducing readers to their first snow.

When it was quiet, Little Snow grinned and then jumped, jumped, jumped!
Little Snow loves the new big, soft bed Mommy made him for the long, cold winter nights. But Mommy says this bed is for sleeping, not jumping! What happens when he can't resist jump, jump, jumping on his new fluffy, bouncy bed?

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Storytime, Family, Fiction, Fantasy, Asian Literature

40 pages, Hardcover

First published October 15, 2019

Reviews

[Calista · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered why it snows? This cute beginning book is a bit of a myth on why it snows. Every winter, a mother makes a lovely feather bed for her child. He is told not to jump on it, but he loves to jump on it. Each time his mother leaves the room, he jumps, and it snows.

Simple and straight forward. I thought the idea was a fun idea, obviously, not how it snows. It does spark the imagination though, doesn’t it.

The nephew loves to jump on a bed. He thought the story was pretty good. He did say he knew that’s not how it really snowed. This was a 3 star story for him and he hopes the boy starts jumping so he can get a snow day.

[Danielle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pure magic. The art and expressions are gorgeous and the story captures the mind and behavior of a child for a totally delightful effect. Ahhh. Spacious and mischievous, inventive and full of wonder.

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the same way A Big Mooncake for Little Star offered a creative fantasy explanation for the phases of the moon, A Big Bed for Little Snow tells readers where snow comes from. A naughty little boy continually disobeys his mother all winter, jumping on his big new bed and sending feathers flying. But it's all in good fun... for Little Snow as well as for the children who get to play in the debris from his bed!

The illustrations are adorable. Little Snow's white pajamas are only visible because of their snowflake pattern (much like Little Star's black pajamas were only visible because of their star pattern). The dog toy that's always at Little Snow's side is also a cute touch.

I'd recommend this book to those looking for books about winter and snow (though not to readers who are looking for a non-fiction explanation of weather). I'd also implore readers to check out A Big Mooncake for Little Star as well; both books together make a lovely set.

Quotable moment:

[Laura Giessler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am captivated by these illustrations, the expressions on their faces. The plot is similar to Big Mooncake, with the child's disregard of his mom's instructions basically presented as "cute" (realistic and familiar, but I don't really love books that rely on this theme). The feathers coming down as snow at the end was cool, but took me awhile to make the connection and some young readers may miss it.

[Lata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story and cute explanation for snow falling in winter.

[KC · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jumping on a feather bed can be fun-as long you don't get caught. A nice companion to A Big Moon Cake for Little Star by the same author.

[Mary Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this second original myth Grace Lin has told to explain snowfall. Cutest kid ever! Cutest stuffed dachshund ever!

[Rebecca Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet book has a parallel construction to A Big Mooncake for Little Star but is focused on snow. I adore the illustrations in these books and the feeling of wonder and magic.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this! I liked A Big Mooncake for Little Star marginally better, but I'd still wholeheartedly recommend this one. It's a perfect book for winter!

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

Similar in style to Grace Lin's book from 2018, A Big Mooncake for Little Bear, we find out what causes the snow. Use it as a seasonal read aloud or read it anytime of the year.

[Nessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super adorable folktale about snow.

[dndgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun companion to A Big Mooncake for Little Star, A Big Bed for Little Snow introduces tiny readers to their first snow in this minimally but lovingly illustrated picture book—a good book for a cozy story time, just in time for winter.

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

This sweet little book is a perfect bedtime read for winter. Little Snow's mother gives him a nice, warm feather filled bed. Soon, Little Snow realizes what fun it is to jump on the bed. This is a fun tale of mischief with sweet illustrations.

[Jill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute little myth story about how/why it snows. I like all of Grace Lin’s books - they’re always sweet, the illustrations are lovely, and they’re very kindergarten level readable. George likes it, and I think my class will, too.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't wait to read this story to my kids as Big Moon Cake for Little Star is one of our all-time favorites.

[Cheriee Weichel · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this will three year olds. They liked the jumping on the bed part, but didn't really understand the connection to snow. To be honest, it took me a while to figure it out too.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Published in 2019, A Big Bed for Little Snow is illustrated and written in a similar way to A Big Mooncake for Little Star which won Grace Lin the Caldecott Honor in 2019. I think A Big Bed for Little Snow is a modern day folktale because it explains how snow falls from clouds. As a mom and young boy are getting ready for bed, she tells the boy not to jump on his new bed. This is too big a request for the young boy as he jumps and jumps, spilling all the feathers out of his pillow bed until the it is flat. The illustrations are similar in form to A Big Mooncake for Little Star in that they are full bleeds with a white background. The boy and the mom are wearing matching white pajamas with blue snow flakes. These two books could be read as a set and a compare and contrast with a Venn diagram activity could be done either individually or in partners, with each student talking about one of the books. As with A Big Mooncake, students would enjoy doing an art project in a similar style to A Big Bed for Little Snow. Perhaps half the class would choose the moon and the other half could choose the cloud for their art project.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a granddaughter who loves jumping on beds, just like Little Snow. His mother has made such a wonderfully warm and puffy feather bed for him, and it's perfect, for jumping, especially when he's sure his mother is not around to hear. I love that twinkle in his eye when mom comes along! There is a fun surprise at the end, too. It's a darling and pretty book all by Grace Lin.

[AnnMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great offering.

[Evie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute companion book to Little Star! Very much the same formula, the same innocent mischief, with a fun connection to be made at the end. Some people don't like themes of "misbehavior," but honestly, what standard are you holding your kids to? They're kids! Let them giggle over sneaking bites of a mooncake and jumping on the bed when mom's not looking. It's so tame compared to some of the early readers I've come across with truly obnoxious characters with zero mind for other people's thoughts and feelings. Grace Lin's a favorite of mine, and this departure from her usual illustration style is charming and successful. Uncluttered, straightforward, well-paced.

[Kitty · Rating 4 out of 5]

Again, anthropomorphism of nature isn’t really my thing. But I’m so familiar with the jumping on the bed when mama isn’t there thing I let all the symbolism go. I find it a nice enough story without it.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stellar preschool/family storytime pick for winter. Illustrations and story itself are just minimalist enough and engaging to feel like a classic story to tell out loud, with gleeful jumping, intense listening for Mommy's footsteps, and ominous "thump thump thump" of Mommy leaving and coming back. Have the squirmy kiddos act out all the story parts, including the soft feathers falling down, for higher engagement.

[Samantha Mairson-Dougherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations and text. What more can you ask for? Lovely, creative use of whitespace, repetition, text size and placement. Enjoyable two page city spread. Makes you want to snuggle up, or sneak about or sing “no more monkeys jumping on the bed”!

[Tasha · Rating 4 out of 5]

This follow-up to the award-winning A Big Mooncake for Little Star focuses on wintry weather. Little Snow is given a great big bed by his mother, perfect for jumping on! His mother tells him not to bounce on it though and just sleep on it. But Little Snow just can’t resist bouncing and jumping a little bit. When he jumps, feathers fall out of the big bed and drift down. Little Snow does sometimes get a bit more excited and then jumps so hard that the bed bursts open and a lot of feathers come out. By the end of the winter, the bed is entirely empty, just a shell of what it once was.

In the same playful way as the first book, Lin captures a natural phenomenon with a gentle joy. Both books have the attentive mother, who sets rules which are broken by the children. But in both instances, the mothers are fully aware of what is actually happening and the tone is one of merry acceptance rather than frustration.

The illustrations here show exactly what is happening long before the larger reveal of snow falling on earth. The bed is shaped like a large blue cloud and the snowflakes on everyone’s clothes make it very clear as well. The use of the white background with the clothing that disappears into it is beautifully done, offering a magical border-free feel.

Another winner from the multi-talented Lin. Appropriate for ages 2-4.

[Anneke Alnatour · Rating 4 out of 5]

So in our family we quite like Grace Lin's work. And this picture book is no exception. We all really enjoyed the story, the illustrations and the fairy tale aspect of it.

Wonderfully done, and great representation!

[Katie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple story of a little boy who jumps on his bed when Mom isn't around. When he jumps small feathers fall out of the bed-creating snow on the earth below. Simple illustrations with expressive characters will be easy for children to relate to.

[Kellyanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

20 stars/5 stars. This is probably my favorite winter picture book of the year. I've read it with several different storytime groups (seven, to be specific) and every single one loved it. This book has lovely illustrations. It's very, very simple to get kids moving ("jumping" on the bed and "fluttering" back to their seats like snowflakes) and make the book interactive. I also love the imagery of the feathers being "snow". It might go over the heads of toddlers/younger 3s, but my preschool groups understood the symbolism. A fantastic follow-up to A Big Mooncake for Little Star. Highly recommend!

ETA 6/6/2022: Yep, still feel the same way about this book. I adore the illustrations.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enchanting! A simple sweet story and oh, those illustrations! The tw0-page spread of Little Snow listening to his mother's retreating footsteps with that mischievous sparkle in his eyes went straight to my heart.

Beautifully designed with terrifically effective perspectives, each illustration conveys so much. I loved the colors and the expressions of the characters are masterfully done. This one is a gem!

Children will love this but so will every parent who has put a bed-bouncing toddler down for the night - and made many trips back into the room!

[Janet · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you know a child who has never jumped on the bed? I don’t. This title is 5he story of one little boy, Little Snow, w(o listens for his Mother’s footsteps. No footsteps, it’s time to jump on the bed.
The illustrations in this title are gorgeous done in blue and white with the design of snowflakes used for the night time clothes.
If I were in charge this would be the new Caldecott Award winner in January 2020.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very nice, but neither as visually striking nor as clearly distilled as A Big Mooncake, which was one of my favorite picture books of last year. The mythology just takes a little more explaining and doesn't seem as natural - I think it would likely work just fine for slightly older kids, but my toddler didn't understand feathers coming out of the bed or how the feathers translated to snow.