Snow by Cynthia Rylant, Illustrated by Lauren Stringer
Here in Utah, we have had a lot of snow this winter. My kids love and adore it. My oldest can unlock the front door and I have found him more than once with his snow boots on headed outside – and more than once, actually outside – it’s time to put a chain on that door, to play in the snow with his little brother in tow. They ask me all day long to go out. They love making snowmen and we even built a ramp in the front yard for them to go sledding.
I love it when I wake up in the morning to a transformed world. I love it even better when I have nowhere to go. We snuggle in and cuddle on the couch. I like the snow best when I can just look at it but not drive in it or feel how cold it is. Sometimes I do wonder why we don’t live somewhere with more mild temperatures. I’m a sun girl myself.
Snow by Cynthia Rylant, illustrated by Lauren Stringer is a memorable book that brought back a lot of wonderful childhood memories of the wonder I felt when it snowed. Told in poetic verse and beautiful illustrations, Snow explores the different kinds of snow. Snow that comes softly in the night and brings you peace, snow that is fat and cheerful that makes you not want to be at school or work. Snow that will send you back home to where everything is right and happy. Snow that falls lightly, snow that falls heavy. Children love snow better than anyone does and the snow loves them back. Snow reminds us that nothing except memories last forever. The memories of snow angels, and snowmen, a beautiful world, our white, quiet homes, warm drinks and board games.
Recommended for your own snow days. This is our favorite snow photo from last year:
And many of you may remember our huge snowman:
Of course, we’ve been out in the snow this year:
As the jacket cover says: Soft snow. Heavy Snow. Light snow. Fat snow. Which one do you love the best?
Category: Book Reviews, Fiction, Picture & Board Books
Tags: female author, Fiction, photos of my family
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Your pictures are great. I’ve never lived anywhere that gets much snow, so I don’t kow the difference between soft, heavy, light and fat snow.
on January 14th, 2009 at 9:59 amI like heavy snow only on a Sunday when I don’t have to go anywhere. I had to drive home in very dry but heavy snow today, and it took me two hours for what is usually an hour trip, plus it was scary as all get-out (as we say in southern Missouri, where I learned to drive).
on January 14th, 2009 at 1:16 pmThat looks like fun. I think snow would be much more fun for me if I had small children. Otherwise, it’s just something else I have to shovel.
I do love your snow ramp…
on January 14th, 2009 at 3:13 pmFirst off, your family is lovely!! Secondly, what a great review!! I really like Cynthia Rylant but would have never heard about this book because my boys are now 13 and 17!! Your review was wonderful, just like the photos you shared with us. My favorite kind of snow…soft snow. Wishing that it only came on Christmas day. I live in Michigan so we get lots of snow and right now we have bitter cold temps! below zero air temperatures!! So snuggling sounds great right now!!
on January 14th, 2009 at 6:30 pmI can relate to the snow, here in Canada we get all kinds of it. Great Review and such cute pictures.
on January 14th, 2009 at 6:47 pmSoft snow. Heavy Snow. Light snow. Fat snow. Which one do you love the best?
None of the above! It was 80 degrees here in So Cal today. I don’t think I even own a serious coat. I wouldn’t know what to do with myself in the snow.
on January 14th, 2009 at 7:15 pmMy favorite type of snow is the type I don’t have to go anywhere in. I’m not too picky unless I am trying to make a snow person then I at least want to be able to roll it into snowballs.
I love this book by Rylant, it’s one of my favorites.
on January 14th, 2009 at 7:43 pmYour pictures make snow look like so much fun! I live in Ontario, Canada, and the winters are definitely snowy, but I have no snow-based memories, having grown up in British Columbia. And right now, it’s soooo cold outside, I’m really missing B.C.!
on January 14th, 2009 at 8:32 pmI’ve never been in an area that has had that much snow before (I’m a southern gal) but I love soft snow right when it starts falling. It’s so pretty, especially when you’re inside with a cup of cocoa!
on January 14th, 2009 at 9:25 pmKathy – My little boy wanted to make a snowman after our last storm. Trying explaining to a three year old why he can’t because it’s not the right texture of snow.
Jeanne – I learned how to drive in a Chicago winter. You would think I’d be okay driving in snow. But I HATE it. If it’s snowing, you can bet that I will do anything to stay home. I once did a 360 in the middle of a busy intersection and now my confidence is gone.
CB James – I don’t mind shoveling that much because we have a small driveway. Plus, the kids are out playing at the same time. Isn’t that ramp fun. My youngest could not get enough of it. My oldest wanted nothing to do with it. Sadly, it’s melted the last couple of days.
Staci – Ugh. That sounds too cold!
Cindi – Thanks!
Fern – Okay. I’m not talking to you anymore!
Cari – I always pray that it won’t snow if I have to drive somewhere.
Belle – I hate being cold! And it takes forever to bundle up the kids to go out. But once we are out there, it’s worth it. They have so much fun.
Ladytink_534 – Agree!
on January 14th, 2009 at 9:37 pmWow…thats a lot of snow. It never snows here
on January 15th, 2009 at 1:32 amHad to chuckle at your son with his snow boots heading out the door. I remember the chains on the door days. We had door alarms too.
on January 19th, 2009 at 12:20 pmViolet – We do get a fair amount of snow.
J. Kaye – We have bought a chain but haven’t installed it yet. I hope we don’t regret not getting it up faster.
on January 20th, 2009 at 9:21 pm