It's Snowing!

by Olivier Dunrea

Baby is fast asleep when Mama spies the first flakes of his first snowfall. "It's snowing!" she sings. "Baby, it's snowing!" Mama bundles Baby in thick, warm furs and scrunches into her coat. Out into the snow they go, to see it, smell it, hear it, taste it, touch it―and play in it. Olivier Dunrea's exquisite hymn to snow is the story of a solitary night when a mother introduces her baby to the beauty and pleasure of falling snow.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Family, Nature, Holiday

32 pages, Paperback

First published October 16, 2002

About the author

Since his debut in 1983, author and illustrator Olivier Dunrea has created a steady stream of picture books, including concept books, stories of family life—modern and ancient—and stories about artists. Many of Dunrea's picture books testify to his love of animals and his interest in archaeology and folklore of the British Isles, and several—including Ravena, The Trow-Wife's Treasure, and Bear Noel—take place in a similar land of Dunrea's own creation: the mythic island of Moel Eyris. "I don't write books or make pictures for children," Dunrea once told Something About the Author (SATA). "I make them for myself. It just so happens that children like what I do as much as I do!"

Olivier (Jean-Paul Dominique) Dunrea (1953-) Biography - Personal, Career, Member, Writings, Sidelights

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another loving relationship from Olivier Dunrea. I can feel the mother's excitement when the snow starts and when she takes the baby out to play in it! Perhaps since it is the mother playing in the snow at night, there is a bit of a magical feel to the story.

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

The clothing and house style left me curious about the setting. Simple delight based read-aloud perfect for the first snow of the season, or for reading when everyone's getting sick of the white stuff on the ground.

[Viviane Elbee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a beautifully illustrated book about snow-time that’s quick to read. There’s also a loving mother-baby relationship, perfect for cuddly time.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

AR 1.1

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sienna loved this beautiful book.

[Suzanne Lorraine Kunz Williams · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved how the mom in this story had fun with her child!

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful pictures

[Meredith · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother takes her baby outside to experience the wonder of snow.

"It’s a dark dark, cold cold night.
Mama rocks the cradle.
The cradle rocks Baby.
Baby softly sleeps.
Mama sighs and nods her head.
Baby sighs and sucks his thumb."

This picture book captures the magic of snow as well as a mother's love for her baby as she bundles him up and takes him outside to experience his first snowfall.

"'It's snowing!' Mama sings.
Baby sings along.
'Baby, see the snow!'
Baby squirms in Mama's arms.
'Baby, smell the snow!'
Baby breathes deeply.
'Baby, hear the snow!'
Baby holds his breath.
'Baby, taste the snow!'
Baby opens his mouth.
'Baby, touch the snow!'"

The story is gentle with a hint of magic. It has the feel of a folktale, an effect heightened by the symmetry of the opening and closing lines. The text has a musical rhythm and a repeated phrases.

The illustrations are dreamlike and serene. The setting is in a timeless wilderness with a touches of both Scandinavian and Arctic cultures.

Note: The first copy I read was bound incorrectly, and many of the pictures on odd numbered pages were out of sequence. Most notably, the illustration of mother and baby on a ice bear is opposite the text about building a snow troll and the illustration of mother and baby with the snow troll is opposite the text about returning home. But I obtained second copy, and both the pictures and text were correct in it.

[Linda Lipko · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a tale of a mama and her beloved baby. Gently rocking the baby in a cradle before the fireplace, mama discovers snow is falling.

Swaddling baby in fur, she trundles outside. As a winter wonderland unfolds, mama shows the beauty to baby as she sings and baby sings along.

No doubt that mama loves baby and wants to embrace this magical time together.

While not long in pages, it is warm and glowing and beautiful in content.

[Stacy Natal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved the illustrations in this sweet circle story about a mom introducing the beauty of a snowy day to her baby. The words and pics are soft and quiet, just like a beautiful snowfall. We read this on a cold day in Minnesota, and one of my students claimed that no adult would be that happy about going out in the snow. :) I had to explain the desire to share all of those "firsts" with children and how appealing that can be for a parent... despite the cold!

[jacky · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a great winter time book. I loved how it was simple, but still shared many of the great things about snow. I especially liked how it was a great book to share with very small children who are just experiencing snow for the first time. The illustrations are beautiful.

[Kris Lawrence · Rating 2 out of 5]

Momma takes baby to see the first snow of the season. Exquisite illustrations by the author make a so-so story come alive.

[Anne Beier · Rating 3 out of 5]

Folktale feel - a god storytime book about the snow and winter. Possibly in an arctic place. Might be fun to pair with an opposite book a folktale in the jungle.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

My favorite book about winter. Almost sounds like a poem. Soft and smooth and quiet just like snow.

[Rebecca Stujenske · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the illustrations in this book.

[Amberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A sweetly, simple circle story about a mother and baby enjoying a snowy night. Lovely illustrations.

[August Maclauchlan · Rating 5 out of 5]

My boys love this book!

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love the style of illustration.

And what fun. A mother who wants to take her little one out to enjoy the snowfall. Not the usual take on the story.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations

[Debbie Jo · Rating 3 out of 5]

The illustrations make this book special.

[Pinky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mama and baby go into the snow and have fun in the winter wonderland outside.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 1/2 Stars I love to watch it snow and this is a nice book about a mother sharing her love of show with her infant child. The pictures are very nice and you feel the cold .

[Tamara the Librarian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't really like the illustrations. Story is kind of lame-- repetitive text about mom in what looks like medieval Russia taking her baby outside to see snow.

[Jenna · Rating 2 out of 5]

The illustrations were gorgeously done, but the wording didn't hold their attention at all. But they kids did like looking at all the snow and the mother and her baby playing together out there.

[Mary Anne · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's snowing so mama bundles baby up and takes him outside to enjoy the first snow in this whimsical take with lovely illustrations.

[Juliana Lee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fall into the illustrations of this simple story. Mama introduces Baby to the wonders of the snow filled night. Sweet. Lyrical. Warm.