A SNOW DAY FOR AMOS MCGEE

K-Gr 4--Amos loves a snowy day--whenever one is predicted, the stunningly illustrated picture book follows Amos as he prepares all the animals at the zoo with necessary knitwear. Not only a fun read-aloud, but this book also explores many different elementary concepts. From weather to zoo animals to warm winter items of clothing, this would fit any primary or elementary collection. Erin Stead uses woodblock and pencil to showcase the ongoing story as well as to provide a glimpse into secondary or background information. The illustrator also has several pages without print, which would provide an excellent opportunity to "read" the picture for key information. VERDICT Building an understanding of winter vocabulary, this is an excellent addition to any collection.--Tara Rollins

The gentle elderly zookeeper introduced in the Steads' Caldecott Medal--winningA Sick Day for Amos McGee (2010) returns for another break from his usual routine. Unlike in previous stories, this time, no one is ill, and no one misses the bus. Instead, the much-anticipated first snowfall of the season creates a special day filled with play and hot chocolate. Amos, of course, sets a cozy tone from the start, sipping tea at home while he awaits news of the snow, then commuting by bus to the zoo to finish up some knitting projects for the animals. Each creature receives something from the kindly zookeeper, and most of these knitted items are red, making them stand out from the muted, cool palette of the print-block illustrations and subtly recalling the snowsuit that Peter wears in Ezra Jack Keats' classic taleThe Snowy Day. Adding just a bit of drama to the quietly enchanting story, the snow doesn't arrive as expected, instead falling overnight to create "a soft blanket that cover[s] up the neighborhood." The friends then enjoy the delayed snow day together, their joy best captured in a sumptuous wordless spread showing them in a diagonal, downhill trajectory on sleds, skis, and (in the case of the penguin and tortoise) their own bodies. Amos' skin is the white of the page. An instant wintertime classic; children will snuggle up for rereads for years to come.(Picture book. 2-7) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.