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Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons
What do the animals do when the snow falls to the ground and all the trees are bare? Some fly long distances, while some swim to warmer waters. Some take a long, warm sleep where they live, while others have a thick, cozy coat and can stay in the snow!
As with Il Sung Na's previous books, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit is filled with rich illustrations, charming animals, and a simple, lyrical text—all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. It's a gentle introduction to the ideas of adaptation, hibernation, and migration, and an exhuberant celebration of changing seasons.
As with Il Sung Na's previous books, Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit is filled with rich illustrations, charming animals, and a simple, lyrical text—all wrapped up in a gorgeous package. It's a gentle introduction to the ideas of adaptation, hibernation, and migration, and an exhuberant celebration of changing seasons.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
6 people are currently reading
483 people want to read
About the author
Il Sung Na
19 books98 followersBorn in Seoul, South Korea, Il Sung Na studied illustration at Kingston University in London. He currently lives in Kansas City, Missouri, in the USA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews
January 18, 2012
Published in Great Britain as "Brrrr, A Book of Winter"
Absolutely beautiful! I love the illustrations here. They are so warm, whimsical, creative, interesting... They made me smile. I wanted to pore over them. (I think my favorites were of the sleeping bears, and the leaping deer.) The illustrations are easily 5 stars.
I am giving the book only four stars because I thought it would be a bit more balanced between the seasons, but most of the book is about winter--animals dealing with (or migrating from) cold weather. It isn't until the last few pages that spring comes. Also, it would have been great if more information about each animal, including where it lives, migrates to, etc. was included in the back--but parents/teachers could easily add this to a post-read discussion if they want to make the book more educational.
Taken for the beautiful illustrations, though, this book is simply sublime!
Absolutely beautiful! I love the illustrations here. They are so warm, whimsical, creative, interesting... They made me smile. I wanted to pore over them. (I think my favorites were of the sleeping bears, and the leaping deer.) The illustrations are easily 5 stars.
I am giving the book only four stars because I thought it would be a bit more balanced between the seasons, but most of the book is about winter--animals dealing with (or migrating from) cold weather. It isn't until the last few pages that spring comes. Also, it would have been great if more information about each animal, including where it lives, migrates to, etc. was included in the back--but parents/teachers could easily add this to a post-read discussion if they want to make the book more educational.
Taken for the beautiful illustrations, though, this book is simply sublime!
March 13, 2011
I LOVE the layers, layout, colors, and design of the art in this book! (I pretty much want a skirt made out of every pattern on the pages.)
The text is plain and simple, not groundbreaking, but just right for a young toddler absorbing new information about animal behavior. The only thing missing for me is information about the rabbit! I wish the text explicitly said something for its young audience about the rabbit's coat changing color, just as it said something about every other animal.
But that's a small quibble, and really, the illustrations are beautiful. I'd love to do a K-1-2 art storytime where we read this and an Eric Carle book and then made our own patterned paper for collages.
3 stars for the text, 5 for the art.
The text is plain and simple, not groundbreaking, but just right for a young toddler absorbing new information about animal behavior. The only thing missing for me is information about the rabbit! I wish the text explicitly said something for its young audience about the rabbit's coat changing color, just as it said something about every other animal.
But that's a small quibble, and really, the illustrations are beautiful. I'd love to do a K-1-2 art storytime where we read this and an Eric Carle book and then made our own patterned paper for collages.
3 stars for the text, 5 for the art.
March 8, 2011
Well, for me, there’s no denying this is a gorgeous book, starting with the textured look of the end papers, and going through all the illustrations. They’re beautiful and unusual. At the end of the book the reader is told that they were created: “by combining handmade painterly textures with digitally generated layers, which were then compiled in Adobe Photoshop.”
When I saw the title and subtitle of this book, I expected the events to go through all four seasons, but really this is about what various animals do to survive winter, and then only at the end of the book does spring arrive.
And, I feel so stupid, especially given that I’m an adult reading a book meant to be understood by very young children, but I read it twice, and I still can’t figure out what the rabbit does during winter, other than possibly change colors. Perhaps that was it.
I’ve already read another book by this illustrator and have two more on my to-read shelf. I’ll have to get to them at some point.
When I saw the title and subtitle of this book, I expected the events to go through all four seasons, but really this is about what various animals do to survive winter, and then only at the end of the book does spring arrive.
And, I feel so stupid, especially given that I’m an adult reading a book meant to be understood by very young children, but I read it twice, and I still can’t figure out what the rabbit does during winter, other than possibly change colors. Perhaps that was it.
I’ve already read another book by this illustrator and have two more on my to-read shelf. I’ll have to get to them at some point.
April 9, 2021
"When snow falls to the ground
and all the trees are bare,
everyone knows it's winter...
including the rabbit ❄🐰❄
But when the snow has melted
and the trees are in bloom...
everyone knows it's spring
including the rabbit "🌸🐰🌸
sweet and heartwarming story like spring,
I loved the beautiful colorful illustrations by Il Sung Na...
and I loved the rabbit,
actually I love all bunnies
in the world ~💙🐰💙
Let's bloom with spring ~
💕🌸🌸🌸🌸💕
09.04.2021
and all the trees are bare,
everyone knows it's winter...
including the rabbit ❄🐰❄
But when the snow has melted
and the trees are in bloom...
everyone knows it's spring
including the rabbit "🌸🐰🌸
sweet and heartwarming story like spring,
I loved the beautiful colorful illustrations by Il Sung Na...
and I loved the rabbit,
actually I love all bunnies
in the world ~💙🐰💙
Let's bloom with spring ~
💕🌸🌸🌸🌸💕
09.04.2021
August 16, 2021
Nice book about the seasons - wonderful art.
January 2, 2019
Finally! Korean picture-book author and artist Il Sung Na - whose debut effort,
A Book of Sleep
, was one of my happiest discoveries back in 2009; and whose subsequent
The Thingamabob
was also quite delightful - returns with this, his third title. Originally published in the UK as Brrrr: A Book of Winter, it follows a little white rabbit as she observes her fellow creatures in the midst of their winter activities. From the turtles, who swim off to warmer waters, to the squirrels, who are busy stockpiling acorns for the cold months, "everyone knows it's winter."
I have been anticipating Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons for months now, and I think that my expectations, based on Na's previous titles, may have sabotaged my experience. I don't want to overstate the case, of course! As always, I enjoyed Na's artwork, with the many delightful details that he works into larger objects - the little snowflake design on the rabbit's coat, the "striped" legs on the sheep - and his appealing use of color. The narrative itself, which felt a little scattered and random, didn't do much for me, but then, it didn't bother me either. A nice celebration of Winter, with a hopeful last few pages devoted to the coming Spring - what's not to like? But although I would wholeheartedly recommend this to fans of the artist, and to young Winter lovers, I can't honestly say I loved it as much as its predecessors. Still, I remain an admirer, and will be on the lookout for future Il Sung Na projects - after all, I don't suppose I can love ALL of his books equally!
I have been anticipating Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons for months now, and I think that my expectations, based on Na's previous titles, may have sabotaged my experience. I don't want to overstate the case, of course! As always, I enjoyed Na's artwork, with the many delightful details that he works into larger objects - the little snowflake design on the rabbit's coat, the "striped" legs on the sheep - and his appealing use of color. The narrative itself, which felt a little scattered and random, didn't do much for me, but then, it didn't bother me either. A nice celebration of Winter, with a hopeful last few pages devoted to the coming Spring - what's not to like? But although I would wholeheartedly recommend this to fans of the artist, and to young Winter lovers, I can't honestly say I loved it as much as its predecessors. Still, I remain an admirer, and will be on the lookout for future Il Sung Na projects - after all, I don't suppose I can love ALL of his books equally!
March 10, 2011
The author of A Book of Sleep returns with another book filled with striking illustrations. When winter comes, all of the animals know it. Some fly to warmer places, others take a long sleep, some swim to warmer waters, and others grow a thicker coat. The white rabbit leads readers through so many different types of animals and how they deal with the winter season. Then spring comes and all of the animals know it’s a new season. That includes our friend the rabbit who looks very different now!
Il Sung Na has created a book that celebrates changing seasons with a sense of joy and fun. Readers will see migration, hibernation, and much more in this book. The text remains simple and straight-forward, keeping the concepts to a preschool level nicely.
The real impact is made by Il Sung Na’s incredible illustrations that are lush, vivid and at the same time laced with a real delicacy of line and pattern. Created using handmade textures combined with digitally generated layers, this is a sort of illustration that is stylized, modern and still welcoming and friendly.
Highly recommended, this book is a beautiful exploration of changing seasons, ideal for welcoming spring. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
Il Sung Na has created a book that celebrates changing seasons with a sense of joy and fun. Readers will see migration, hibernation, and much more in this book. The text remains simple and straight-forward, keeping the concepts to a preschool level nicely.
The real impact is made by Il Sung Na’s incredible illustrations that are lush, vivid and at the same time laced with a real delicacy of line and pattern. Created using handmade textures combined with digitally generated layers, this is a sort of illustration that is stylized, modern and still welcoming and friendly.
Highly recommended, this book is a beautiful exploration of changing seasons, ideal for welcoming spring. Appropriate for ages 2-4.
January 20, 2011
Beautiful illustrations.
October 26, 2012
"Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons" written by Il Sung Na is a whimsically illustrated book about a rabbit who turns white for the winter and hops around his forest to see what the other animals do during the changing seasons. Turtles swim off for warmer waters and squirrels stock-pile acorns in this charming piece. I would have liked to see a summer month portrayed but the fall-winter-spring transition is beautiful and adorable and perfect for discussing the winter months and other types of animals.
This book is intended for kindergartners or beginning readers and is a very creative and factual source of what happens during the winter. This book is appealing in its visual literacy and I believe it would be a fantastic tool in helping young Deaf students to see the animals, the seasons, the changes that the earth and it's creatures go through and the words that correlate to each specificity. I would use this book in my field by assisting in fingerspelling the words and affiliating them with the pictures and text--it is such an important tool for young Deaf readers and I appreciate the beauty and simplicity of this book. I see definite benefits to young readers comprehending beginning literacy. A fun classroom project would be identifying your favorite animal and discussing what they do in the winter. Of course, it would be important to also discuss what happens in the winter and how you react to it--do you use more blankets? What holidays happen in the winter? Is it darker in the winter? Do you like winter and why? Understanding the seasons and your personal changes with them is great!
This book is intended for kindergartners or beginning readers and is a very creative and factual source of what happens during the winter. This book is appealing in its visual literacy and I believe it would be a fantastic tool in helping young Deaf students to see the animals, the seasons, the changes that the earth and it's creatures go through and the words that correlate to each specificity. I would use this book in my field by assisting in fingerspelling the words and affiliating them with the pictures and text--it is such an important tool for young Deaf readers and I appreciate the beauty and simplicity of this book. I see definite benefits to young readers comprehending beginning literacy. A fun classroom project would be identifying your favorite animal and discussing what they do in the winter. Of course, it would be important to also discuss what happens in the winter and how you react to it--do you use more blankets? What holidays happen in the winter? Is it darker in the winter? Do you like winter and why? Understanding the seasons and your personal changes with them is great!
May 21, 2015
SUMMARY: Rabbit's fur has turned white signaling the beginning of winter. Other animals are aware too and they do what is necessary to live through the winter including gathering nuts and sleeping. But when spring comes, everyone knows, including rabbit whose fur turns back to its regular brown.
ILLUSTRATIONS: This book was illustrated in Na's usual style of textured painting and digital work. The pictures are absolutely stunning, colorful, and nicely spaced for younger viewers. The colors are a little more realistic than some of this books and yet still maintain a sense of creativity. I can't get enough of his pictures!
THE GOOD: This book is very simple for younger children. And although the wording is poetic in nature, the concepts of what animals do in the winter are easy to understand. I love that the little bunny shows up on every page as an observer of winter and its happenings. This is a lovely book to introduce the concepts of winter, and animal behavior and habitats.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Ages 3-6
ILLUSTRATIONS: This book was illustrated in Na's usual style of textured painting and digital work. The pictures are absolutely stunning, colorful, and nicely spaced for younger viewers. The colors are a little more realistic than some of this books and yet still maintain a sense of creativity. I can't get enough of his pictures!
THE GOOD: This book is very simple for younger children. And although the wording is poetic in nature, the concepts of what animals do in the winter are easy to understand. I love that the little bunny shows up on every page as an observer of winter and its happenings. This is a lovely book to introduce the concepts of winter, and animal behavior and habitats.
AGE RECOMMENDATION: Ages 3-6
January 11, 2013
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit: A Book of Changing Seasons by Il Sung Na follows a snow rabbit as it explores what other animals do during winter. Each pair of pages show a different type of animal as it prepares for winter: birds migrating, turtles swimming, hibernation and so forth.
Na's soft and somewhat whimsical illustrations are a charming addition to the text. The little rabbit acts as a tour guide of the winter season, going from animal to animal.
Then at the end, it's finally revealed what the rabbit does to adapt to the winter season. As spring approaches, poof, the rabbit turns brown.
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit introduces children to animal adaptations and the seasons. Children could be asked to talk about what animals around where they live do in winter, or what they do differently in winter.
Four stars
Na's soft and somewhat whimsical illustrations are a charming addition to the text. The little rabbit acts as a tour guide of the winter season, going from animal to animal.
Then at the end, it's finally revealed what the rabbit does to adapt to the winter season. As spring approaches, poof, the rabbit turns brown.
Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit introduces children to animal adaptations and the seasons. Children could be asked to talk about what animals around where they live do in winter, or what they do differently in winter.
Four stars
January 24, 2011
Brief and actively descriptive text coupled with unique illustrations using handmade painterly textures with digitally generated layers combined in Adobe Photoshop help create a book that is absolutely beautiful. The subtitle "a book of changing seasons" is a bit deceptive because primarily this is a book about winter, in which a rabbit is interspersed with different animals. The two final page layouts show rabbit and some of the animals as spring arrives. Even my very young toddler (17m)interacted with this title, pointing to the rabbit on each page. It will delight a small storytime audience or lap reader to do the same.
April 20, 2011
The story is of a rabbit, who watches how other animals cope with winter (migrate, hibernate, store up food, don't move much), who himself is white, and in the end, with spring, is brown again. Simple and engaging text for a young storytime. I really love the striking illustrations in this book, which is described as being "created by combining handmade painterly textures with digitally generated layers, which were then compiled in Adobe Photoshop." I love the patterns of the turtles shells, the swirls of the sheeps thick fur -- there is an almost jewel-like quality to the illustrations. The art reminds me a bit of Elisa Kleven, whose is one of my favorite illustrators.
December 1, 2011
While I was trying to figure out of this book is fiction or nonfiction (I would say NF) I found out that the title in Great Britain is Brrr: A Book of Winter. A much better and more accurate name for this beautiful book.
A rabbit turns white for the winter and hops about finding out what other animals do for the winter. The illustrations are beautiful, enchanting, and colorful. At the end, the spring rabbit with his brown fur is revealed. I did expect the other animals to reappear to complete the fall-winter-spring transition. A simple book that will work well with students in K and Grade 1.
A rabbit turns white for the winter and hops about finding out what other animals do for the winter. The illustrations are beautiful, enchanting, and colorful. At the end, the spring rabbit with his brown fur is revealed. I did expect the other animals to reappear to complete the fall-winter-spring transition. A simple book that will work well with students in K and Grade 1.
April 14, 2016
This book of season is very much them same style and cadence of Na's "A Book of Sleep" (which is a favorite of mine). Different animals are depicting in the activities they undertake when the weather turns cold and winter abounds. The story concludes with the coming of spring that is easily known to all the animals. While this is a beautifully illustrated book and does depict a change in season, it doesn't specifically point out a four-season change. It is more just winter to spring, with summer and fall not making much of an appearance. So it might not be the best choice for a unit or story time about all four season, but certainly a winner for a spring theme.
January 29, 2011
I think this book is equal in beauty to A Book of Sleep; however, I'm waiting to buy it as a board book because I feel Na's books work better in that format.
July 1, 2011
I picked this book up for my 3-year old son, but I love it. The illustrations are simple, yet beautiful. I love the different art techniques applied in the pictures. I could read this book every day (and as a parent, we know how hard it is to find a book like that!).
March 20, 2012
This is a lovely introduction to the changing seasons. The illustrations are bright and bold - good for a large story time. The text is simple and there are lots of things for members of a story time audience to notice, and they will!
December 31, 2012
I was ready to use this for storytime, but the wonderful textures and colors of the art didn't translate through our projector so I had put it aside. Face to face one on one sharing will be wonderful though.
September 1, 2015
I absolutely love love love the illustrations! Beautiful patterns that catch your eye and make you want to slow down to enjoy them. The reading is great for toddlers learning about the season and where animals go or what they do during thAt time of the year.
May 11, 2023
I LOVED THE ILLUSTRATIONS!!!! They were all so pretty! The bunny is probably the most adorable I have ever seen! I really loved this one it was like a work of art! I could keep a page of this book in a frame on a wall! Perfect book about the seasons turning from winter to spring:)
March 28, 2018
Read at Storytime March 28, 2018
Theme: Bunnies, Chicks, and Ducklings
Good way to read about the changing seasons of winter into spring. It follows the changes that the different animals during those seasons.
Theme: Bunnies, Chicks, and Ducklings
Good way to read about the changing seasons of winter into spring. It follows the changes that the different animals during those seasons.
January 24, 2011
Amazing illustrations and simple text will make this good for story time.
February 11, 2021
Loved the artwork! Reminded me of watercolor paintings. I started following the author/artist so I can find more of his work. Just wish the book had been longer!
June 8, 2011
Very cute winter story. Perfect for storytime, as it doesn't refer to any winter holidays. It also talks about the begining middle and ends of the season, so could be used at different times
February 10, 2011
Wonderful, wonderful Asian-inspired illustrations tell the simple story of how various types of animals manage the winter season.
February 15, 2011
The illustrations are lovely with a story leading us through the seasons very simplistically.
April 12, 2015
sooooooo loverly!
August 8, 2019
This book did not live up to the expectations that had been set out by the hype around it. It seems autumn and summer do not exist in this book. The artwork is notable, but the story is underwhelming, if even there.
January 3, 2012
Featured at An Abundance of Books
I am absolutely in love with Il Sung Na's illustrations. The rabbit is so cute, I just want to squeeze his cheeks! The layers, textures, and whimsical animals are just delightful. Na's spare text is well paced and descriptive, but really it's the illustrations that make the book. This is a great one for kindergarten teachers introducing winter to their students. I would also recommend this one to high school art teachers because it could be used to teach printing/stamping, texture, ink or watercolor painting, loads of stuff.
Verdict:
This is a beautiful book to look at and a pleasant story to read. If I had to pick an Il Sung Na book for the home library, I'd go with The Book of Sleep or The Thingamabob. Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit makes a nice additional resource for the classroom, but is a better library checkout for families.
Read full review HERE
I am absolutely in love with Il Sung Na's illustrations. The rabbit is so cute, I just want to squeeze his cheeks! The layers, textures, and whimsical animals are just delightful. Na's spare text is well paced and descriptive, but really it's the illustrations that make the book. This is a great one for kindergarten teachers introducing winter to their students. I would also recommend this one to high school art teachers because it could be used to teach printing/stamping, texture, ink or watercolor painting, loads of stuff.
Verdict:
This is a beautiful book to look at and a pleasant story to read. If I had to pick an Il Sung Na book for the home library, I'd go with The Book of Sleep or The Thingamabob. Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit makes a nice additional resource for the classroom, but is a better library checkout for families.
Read full review HERE
Displaying 1 - 30 of 181 reviews