Snow Falls

by Kate Gardner, Brandon James Scott (Illustrations)

An introduction to the magic, beauty and fun of snow for very young readers, perfect for fans of Ezra Jack Keats' classic The Snowy Day .

Snow softens, snow tricks, snow tracks, snow glows and snow snows and snows and snows, transforming a small village into a winter wonderland. A girl and her dog set out and make the most of every snow-filled sledding, building snowmen and snowforts, making snowangels (and snowdogs), and drinking cocoa by a cozy fire as the snow continues to fall. This luminous and lively picture book celebrates the beauty, magic and excitement of snow with simple, easy-to-read text, comprised almost solely of verbs and action words, and gorgeous art that highlights the amazing colors of a snowy day. As inviting as the first snowfall, but so much warmer, Snow Falls encourages little people and big people to go outside and enjoy the snow . . . before it goes!

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Childrens, Fiction, Nature

32 pages, Hardcover

Published October 6, 2020

Reviews

[Mischenko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beautiful picture book hardly has any words, but the artwork is stunning and captures you from the first page. My little daughter loved looking for the tiny red bird on each page. So much fun.

4****

[La Coccinelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Similar to A. K. Riley's Snow Song , Snow Falls is a picture book that's driven largely by its illustrations. The text is minimal, with most of the spreads only having two words.

While I found Snow Song highly repetitive and annoying, Snow Falls is much easier to take, in part because there's so little text that you can sort of ignore it. (In fact, I think this one could even work as a wordless picture book.) The pictures are going to be the real draw here. They're colourful, charming, and infused with various shades of light that one tends to see only in the winter months. A little girl and her dog form a motif that's carried throughout the whole season. (There are also a couple of other things that repeat on every page. Readers will have fun spotting them!)

The story is very basic, but I'd recommend this one for the illustrations alone.

Quotable moment:

[Anneka · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty pictures and cute story!
My daughter was interested in following the footsteps.

[Bethany · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the snow starts to fall, a little girl and her dog head out for a day full of wintery activities. She and her dog can slide in it, hide in it, use it to trick people, and all sorts of things. When it gets too rough, she can enjoy the beauty from the window of her warm house. The book ends perfectly with the brightness of spring as "Snow goes."

SNOW FALLS is a celebration of all the fun a child can have outside in the snow. I love that she has a dog as her companion to share the joy with. The illustrations use a vast array of colors to show the beauty of winter magic. Blending colors pop off the page as they contrast against the white snow. Kate Gardner uses simple words for early readers and incorporates rhyming to make each page flow together.


Final Verdict: I would recommend this to children aged two and up who live around snow because it gives them ideas of what they can do in it. It also encourages them to go outside and take in the beauty of nature. It's a perfect winter read to share while cuddled under a blanket.

[Abby Johnson]

This gorgeous little picture book uses super simple text and bright, colorful illustrations to show snow in its many glories. With just a few words per page, this book is definitely all about showcasing the artwork, which uses warm, soft colors to depict the coziest season. I am always on the lookout for winter books that give me that hygge feel and this one definitely fits the bill, using pinks, purples, oranges, and yellows to bring out the beauty of winter sunsets and the softening that snow brings with it. Pair this one with The Snowy Day and your other winter favorites for a spectacular storytime.

[Barbra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Snow is described by two word phrases as we follow a young girl and her dog through a winter wonderland. Colorful pictures provide lots to see and talk about on each page, and even the youngest reader will be able to tell us what is happening. This cute book is a reminder of all the fun and beauty winter brings.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book for many ages. For toddlers, the short, rhyming sentences keep the book moving. For older children, there is much to discuss in the gorgeous illustrations that perfectly capture snowy days, at different times of the day. Adults will appreciate the nostalgia of playing in the snow.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple, sometimes onomatopoetic text describes all the things that snow does from first snowfall to melting. Illustrations are absolutely gorgeous--they almost glow. My favorite thing is probably the use of rich pinks and purples instead of all blue and white for a winter book.

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice story about the beauty of snow.

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a cute children's book and I love the illustrations.

[Dedra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect in its simplicity. Stunning illustrations.

[Emily Haage · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the text is nothing new, the illustrations are beautiful and warm.

Great for snow/winter storytime

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very simple but beautiful picture book about the joys of snow. As a person who really dislikes the cold and snow, this book really reminded me of how beautiful and fun it can be.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a fun book.
Happy Reading my favorite fun.🌟🌟🌟☺

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good book for a young child with very few words but which amply describes the season.

[Tara · Rating 4 out of 5]

A super simple read with illustrations so lovely it could work as a wordless book. It may be a celebration of snow but my favorite page is still the last one: snow--GOES!

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's not a very long book, so it would work great for early readers. The illustrations are amazing. I love the color palette.

[Noreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful artwork! My grandchildren loved the book.

[Annie MacPherson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Simple text with warm, vibrant illustrations.

[Robin · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations are the key to this book with minimal text touting all the great things about snow.

[R. L. Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

We read this one today at our local library and Dixie loved the pictures! We're supposed to get some snow this week, so I'm looking forward to getting her reaction!

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

DPIL

Pretty illustrations.

[Awjtf · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful book told with few words! Illustrations are amazing!

[Lyds · Rating 5 out of 5]

L read this on their own.

L: "I like this book because it makes you feel like you're out in the snow, and I love that the red bird was in every picture and it was so funny

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sparse words, POC main character, winter, great illustrations

[Miss Pippi the Librarian · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely and easy picture book about snow. The illustrated noted, "The artwork in this book was painted digitally in the evenings of a snowy Canadian winter." The simple language is snow followed by a verb. A great book to share with a group or give to a child who is learning to read.

2022 storytime theme: Winter Reading Kick-Off
2022 storytime theme: Winter

Reviewed from a library copy.