Before Morning

Before Morning

Joyce Sidman

pictures by Beth Krommes 2016

When we had our first snow of the season in December, it was the perfect time to read this cozy snowy book.  A child's mom is an airline pilot and is off to work.  But in the night the snow begins to fall and aren't we all happy when the snow makes us slow down and spend the day together?  Beth Krommes' intricate illustrations capture both a snowy city and a cozy home.  While Joyce Sidman explains how poetry in the form of an invocation can invite something wonderful. 

The Winter Noisy Book

Margaret Wise Brown did a series of "Noisy" books and we have a couple.   If you're facing some grey, dull winter days, Charles Shaw's colorful pictures will pep you up! 

The Winter Noisy Book

Margaret Wise Brown

pictures by Charles G. Shaw 1947

 We follow the little dog Muffin who is hearing all the sounds of winter.   The scrunch scrunch scrunch of fathers coming home in the rain, the click of someone turning on the light, the pop and roar of a fire in the hearth, and finally a steady whispering sound of the snow coming down.  Even though our old copy is a little beat up, Shaw's startling artwork positively explodes off the page!

(This one has to be held together with tape!)

Snowflake

Snowflake

Paul Gallico 1953

Frankly I was unprepared for how profound this story was.  Paul Gallico's lyrical writing tells of a snowflake, made in the clouds and coming to earth in a small mountain village.  That begins the gentle story of her life, all that she sees and wonders about.  Gradually she melts and begins a journey through rivers and lakes and adulthood.  Don't look for any scientific accuracy, this story is all allegory, contemplation about the meaning of our existence, our purpose, our time and experience through life, and our place in the universe.  Pretty heavy stuff, but told in a beautiful, simple way.  It's nice as a read aloud children's book, but probably best suited for those of us experiencing the existential crisis of middle age!

Bear and Wolf

 

A tender story of friendship between a bear and a wolf.  They meet one night in a snowy wood and decide to walk together.  The illustrations feel like chalk or crayon and although simple still manage to evoke care for these two animals who explore their winter world together.  As they go their separate ways, you know they are going to meet as friends again.

Bear and Wolf

by Daniel Salmieri 2018

The Shortest Day

Apparently I love books about the Winter Solstice, even thought we've passed the solstice and the days are slowly getting longer.  But what's not to love about Susan Cooper's poem paired with Carson Ellis' primal illustrations?  

The Shortest Day

Susan Cooper

illustrated by Carson Ellis 2019

The Snow Speaks

This is actually a Christmas book.  But we tend to get most of our snow in the months of January, February and March.  And we've had a couple snow storms recently that have left the world around us white and magical.  

In Nancy White Carlstrom's poem snow speaks, "Here Here Here", "Cold Cold Cold", "Blow Blow Blow".  And two children listen and watch waiting for other secrets they know the snow has in store.

The Snow Speaks

Nancy White Carlstrom

illustrated by Jane Dyer 1992

What to Look for in Winter and Summer

 I had to track down these vintage Ladybird Nature books on eBay (they came from England).  They are such a satisfying small size and have rich full page illustrations.  I appreciate that everything in the pictures is talked about in the text.  It makes for a particularly nice pairing of information and art.  There are two more versions for Spring and Autumn.  I'm keeping my eye out!

What to Look for in Winter

What to Look for in Summer

E.L. Grant Watson

illustrations by C.F. Tunnicliffe 1959