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SOME SNOW IS… by Ellen Yeomans

SOME SNOW IS…

by Ellen Yeomans ; illustrated by Andrea Offermann

Pub Date: Nov. 5th, 2019
ISBN: 978-0-399-54754-6
Publisher: Putnam

Snow. Can’t wait for it to appear. Can’t wait for it to disappear.

From the first hopeful glimpse of what might be the First Snow to an impatient farewell to lingering Spring Snow, Yeomans captures the ever changing nuances of the frozen precipitation and how children interact with it. A simple, repetitive rhyme scheme (all but the fourth line of each verse ends with “snow,” and fourth-line pairs rhyme) is soothing and rhythmic, but precise verbs and adjectives make the story shine. “Arms fly up and down snow. / Legs sweep along the ground snow. / Move and flop again snow, / a flock of angels sings.” Joyful neighborhood children of diverse races and their equally exuberant pet dogs build snow forts and stage snowball battles, create snow tunnels and slides after shoveling out, and even enjoy “the best snow is Snow Day Snow. / Can’t go out in that snow. / Too much coming down snow, / a world of swirling white.” (Look for the snoozing Snow Day dogs.) Realistic illustrations are done in pen, ink, and watercolor with digital touches and are a bit reminiscent of Trina Schart Hyman’s work. Scenes morph from fall through winter to spring and incorporate snow from soft flurries to blinding blizzards.

A perceptive, three-season–ish celebration of snow perfect for a snuggly read.

(Picture book. 3-6)