Blubber and Books

“Stojic paints this gentle anticipation and enjoyment of a snowfall in breezy, broad strokes. On each spread, an animal comments on the upcoming weather event …” (Kirkus Reviews) For ages 2-5.

“David tries to help his mother with Christmas housecleaning, but his mind swirls with thoughts of the big snow predicted to fall that afternoon… Winter’s chills, rituals and resulting familial closeness, rendered in simple, surprisingly poignant drawings, make this a perennial read at first frost.” (Kirkus Reviews) For ages 2-6.

“In a delightful story about the nocturnal activities of snowmen that is refreshingly original and visually sparkling,… Buehner imagines why snowmen may not look the same as they had the day before. Primary colors delicately form the winter wonderland where the secret, active life of these frozen friends is grinningly revealed.” (Kirkus Reviews) For ages 2-6.

“Florian gives young readers a strong sense of winter through icy images and subdued illustrations rendered in watercolors and colored pencils. His childlike perspective on the snowy season includes poems about sledding, icicles, tracks, snowmen, ice fishing and skating.” (CCBC) For ages 4-10, poetry.

“Bear knows it’s time to crawl into a cave and fall asleep, but first Snail must be told. Snail feels compelled to inform Skunk. Following that pattern Turtle, Woodchuck, and Ladybug also find out that autumn is over. A gentle surprise ending precedes the quiet final page on which all settle into hibernation with a round of ‘good nights.'” (CCBC) Highly Commended, Charlotte Zolotow Award For ages 2-5.

“Tundra swan, snake, snowflake. Bees in their hive, a vole under snow, the fly-high raven and the earth-bound wolf. The lives of these and other creatures in winter are the subject of poems by Joyce Sidman that crackle with cold and sing with warmth.” (CCBC) For ages 6-10, poetry.

“Alarcón writes with playful humor and a full heart about his beloved city of San Francisco, and about winter in the snowladen Sierra Nevada. Specificity of place does not limit the poems’ accessibility, however. They are vibrant, welcoming, and child-friendly. Maya Christina Gonzalez’s energetic, joyful artwork is a perfect accompaniment.” (CCBC) For ages 5-9, Poetry, bilingual [Spanish/English].

“Twenty-five poems evoke possibilities of the season — its weather, bird-watching, skiing, moon, deer, geese, even its germs, as well as its indoor warmth. It’s the warmth that readers of this incomparable anthology can experience, the warmth resulting from reading or hearing superb classic poetry in many voices and forms…” (CCBC) For ages 5-14, poetry.

“Exemplary writing and gorgeous illustrations distinguish an informational picture book about the bar-tailed godwit, whose amazing migratory flight is first undertaken when it’s four months old…” (CCBC) For ages 5-8.

“Although few animals other than polar bears and arctic foxes remain in the Arctic through the winter, they are joined by many other species that migrate to the region during the milder seasons. Whales travel from Mexican lagoons, cranes fly from China, caribou come from Canada, and terns begin their migration in far-away Antarctica.” (CCBC) For ages 5-10.

“‘By the time Old Bear fell asleep for the winter, it was snowing hard.’ But soon Old Bear is dreaming of spring, and in his sleep he is a young bear again, frolicking in colorful flowers. Old Bear’s journey through the seasons and into his youth continues as he sleeps. When he finally awakens, it is to a world made new again by the real arrival of spring, and Old Bear is ready to enjoy it.” (CCBC) Highly Commended, 2009 Charlotte Zolotow Award. For ages 2-6.

“As winter sets in, a momma bear and baby bear get ready for their long winter’s sleep. Teckentrup’s blocky, graphic illustrations, which appear to be a combination of cut-paper collage and digital renderings, gently reveal the autumnal forest and all the bears’ forest friends… A closing note with additional facts about animal hibernation makes this a good choice for science-themed storytimes.” (Booklist Online) For ages 4-7.

“What happens to leaves and flowers, caterpillars and songbirds, field mice and fish, and other living things ‘when winter comes and the cold wind blows’? In a series of lyrical question-and-response verses, Nancy Van Laan conveys ways in which the natural world changes and adapts when the cold and snow arrive.” (CCBC) For ages 3-6.

“While humans engage in winter activities above the snow, all kinds of concealed animal activity takes place beneath.” (CCBC) For ages 4-8, Highly Commended 2010 Charlotte Zolotow Award.

“Very simple and accurate explanations of the various ways insects cope with the cold winter months facilitate easy reading of a colorfully illustrated book of information supplying answers to the common questions about migration and hibernation.” (CCBC) For ages 7-9.

“A guide to the winter environment written by a naturalist-educator suggests projects and collections … Extensive resources are appended.” (CCBC) For ages 7-13.