Even though it rarely snows down here, I feel like it's important for storytimes to show different places and different experiences. These are three fun, wintery, snowy-day stories to show how different the seasons can be.
It's Winter!
Linda Glaser, cut-paper scenes by Susan Swan
ISBN: 0761317597
Extremely detailed, slightly stylized scenes with bright contrasts focus on the natural world in winter.
A perky (possibly asian) girl is our host for this tour of winter in the Northern USA, beginning with late autumn and the first snow-fall, and ending with the barest beginnings of spring snow-melt. We see a few human-centric activities (catching snowflakes, sledding, making snowpeople) but the focus is on the natural world and what the animals and environment is doing. The illustrations are crazy-detailed, with a stylized edge to them that makes them just sharp enough to avoid being cutesy. Really good overview for the length, and an excellent jumping-off-point.
Hibernation Station
Michelle Meadows, illustrated by Kurt Cyrus
ISBN: 9781416937883
Adorable fuzzy woodland creatures (and the odd frog) dress in jammies and attempt to cozy up.
This one is short and sweet, with much of the interest in the busy overstuffed illustrations (very similar in feel to Jan Brett) that show the various animals failing at falling asleep for the winter in their cramped communal log. After much whining, protesting, last minute complaining, and general unhappiness, the bears (the conductors) marshal the troops, rearrange the sleeping quarters and roommates, pass out last-minute snackies, issue kisses and hugs and snuggles, and get everyone tucked in properly for the winter. Did I mention that it was adorable? I've done this one before, and I'm sure I'll do it again. This one also got picked to go home to older siblings, which is always nice to have happen.
Winter is the Warmest Season
Lauren Stringer (Deer Dancer)
ISBN: 0152049673
Plump, cozy, fluffy illustrations show why winter is actually warmer.
This is a favorite, and it went over just as well today as usual. Several kids caught the title, and were instantly disagreeing with the premise. They enjoyed the slight cozy subversion. Our narrator (gender ambiguous) walks us through their reasons why winter is warmer: from hot cocoa to fuzzy mittens to cats who deign to sleep on laps now that the windowsills are too cold. These are usually contrasted with summer activities or analogues, so cold summer pools contrast with hot winter baths, and cold jelly sandwiches with toasted cheese. A great ending to the storytime, and a fun read overall.
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