Review by Booklist Review
K^-Gr. 3. The third book in the Celebrate the Seasons series, this combines a cheerfully illustrated paean to winter with a pinch of science. The text begins by evoking the feelings of winter: the joy of catching snowflakes on the tongue, the anticipation of wondering just how much snow will fall, and the warmth generated by making snow angels and building snowmen. In addition to the fun, there are descriptions of several creatures' hibernation habits, creatively illustrated in cross sections showing the insides of underground and underwater hiding places. A list of suggested nature activities adds to the scientific focus. The intricate, brightly colored cut-paper-and-paint illustrations evoke the crispness of winter and are simply fun to look at. Similar in appearance to Jan Carr's Frozen Noses (1999), but for a slightly older audience. Diane Foote
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-This companion to It's Fall (2001) and It's Spring (2002, both Millbrook) is an exemplary exploration of a season. From the first spread, readers view an enthusiastic girl who delves into the pleasures and treasures of winter: "I chase and zigzag/here/and/there,/ catching snowflakes in the air./They land on my face and on my hair./I stick out my tongue/and catch one./Yum!" The arrival of new snow overnight transforms the world around her into a rollicking playground. She takes a pleasant walk with her dog and describes the wonders of nature when bats, bees, and several other animals hibernate; active life goes on underneath a frozen pond, and birds and deer are about. At night, Orion takes precedence in the sky. Soon the days grow longer, the sun feels stronger, and there is a hint of change, but there is still time to sled and hope for another snow. Swan's beautiful cut-paper artwork is colorful, crisp, and stark. Rich textures bring depth to the lively scenes and the double-page spreads will give young readers much to ponder. Make room on your shelves for this fresh offering.-Meghan R. Malone, Turner Free Library, Randolph, MA (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Cheerful cut-paper collage illustrations enliven this third installment in a series celebrating the seasons. Typical characteristics of winter such as cold and snow receive more than ample coverage; more interesting is the brief review of winter's effects on animal habitat. Meandering free verse with occasional rhyme lacks consistency and rhythm. A list of suggested nature activities is appended. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
A chill is in the air and the leaves have all fallen from the trees, as an exuberant child runs "here and there, catching snowflakes in the air." Having similarly explored all things autumn (It's Fall, 2001) and all things spring (It's Spring, p. 256), Glaser and Swan bring winter alive. Bundled in a scarf, hat, and mittens, walking through the snow can be fun, watching the prints that each footstep makes. Snow angels and snowmen cannot be far behind as the snow deepens. It is hard to believe the picture that arrives in the mail of the girl's grandparents basking on a Florida beach, but winter is different everywhere. Even as some creatures are slipping through the whiteness to find food and shelter, many animals are burrowed deep in the ground or in the warm water beneath the lake's icy crust. The descriptions of the natural world are enhanced by the use of multi-layered, hand-painted, cut-paper collages. Adding visual depth to each page, they invite readers to come in for a closer look. Suggestions for winter projects and activities follow the text. (Picture book. 4-8)
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
