Every Little Bit . . .

Each morning Mulan, my canine companion, and I take the same route on our morning walk.  More than half of the route is without sidewalks and when there are sidewalks, we tend to stick to the edge of the roadway due to other walkers, runners, and dogs.  Without fail, there is one driver each day who not only ignores the posted speed limit, but comes so close to us that we have to move off the road or jump aside.  They drive as if their hair is on fire and they are the only person on the planet.

Despite this one soul without regard for other living things, there are multiple drivers who slow down and nod, wave or smile.  Those small acts of kindness when added together have a huge effect on our morning walks.  Those people are used to seeing us and respond accordingly.  I have no idea who they are, but I consider them friends.  The mutual respect we have for each other has established a community of sorts. Today is the book birthday for a title, One Small Thing (Beaming Books, May 9, 2023) written by Marsha Diane Arnold with artwork by Laura Watkins, which presents the practice of rising above ourselves to assist others.  Every little bit helps and does not go unappreciated.  

All the animals in Brightly Wood were talking about what happened.

During a storm the previous night, lightning struck Raccoon's home.  All that remains are ashes.  Squirrel, Badger, Beaver, Mouse, and Rabbit are recreating the event in their conversation. In addition to the loss of his home, Raccoon has suffered burns on his feet and his cricket companion is missing.  In the concerned comments made by Raccoon's friends, readers get a hint at their personalities.  

Beaver wonders where Raccoon will live now.  Rabbit hardly knows Raccoon. Mouse is so little and this problem is huge.  Badger, seemingly a curmudgeon, wonders where the 

silly cricket

is.  Squirrel is overwhelmed by the sadness of this event.  They all leave for their respective homes except for Badger.  Badger heads to the darkest part of the forest.

Squirrel, Mouse, and Rabbit start on tasks exemplifying their talents.  Beaver knows she excels at home construction, so she works all day to build another home for Raccoon.  As Squirrel sips her tea, she begins to think.  As Mouse hangs herbs from his rafters, he begins to think.  As Rabbit nibbles on honey bread with honey,  a single thought pops into Rabbit's mind.  The four friends find Raccoon and snuggle inside the new house drinking tea and eating honey bread with honey.  Mouse rubs a balm made from his herbs on Raccoon's feet.

Where is Badger you ask?  Is Badger lost among the shadows of Brightly Wood?  That thunderstorm created a major loss, but much was found the next day because Beaver, Squirrel, Mouse, Rabbit and Badger decide to do . . .

A bit of a mystery introduces us to this narrative with the first sentence.  Author Marsha Diane Arnold has piqued our interest.  She leads us, as she does so often, to examine our hearts as each of her characters do the same.  By having each of the animals offer an opinion several times, she establishes a rhythm to her story.

As we follow their actions and thoughts, we see how each personality works through a tragic event and responds as they are able.  Readers will see themselves in one or more of these characters' reactions.  The title of the book is beautifully woven into Squirrel's, Mouse's and Rabbit's ultimate decision. Here is a passage.

Beaver stepped back and looked at her work, then hurried off to find Raccoon.

All the other animals hurried off to find Raccoon too.

Except Badger.  He kept wandering through Brightly Wood, muttering,

"Where is that silly cricket?"

A single, full-color image extends from the left edge of the book case to the right edge.  It is the dawn of a new day in Brightly Wood.  Mouse, Squirrel, Rabbit, Badger, and Beaver, eyes closed in affection, offer a group hug to their friend, Raccoon.  We can see by Raccoon's eyes, this hug is needed.  Everything about this scene, the brightening sky, soaring birds, glowing sunlight reflected on the grass and calm breezes, suggests warmth and connection.

A pale lemon yellow covers the opening and closing endpapers.  On the title page is a close-up of Raccoon's mailbox secured to a tree.  Careful readers will see with the opening single-page picture, artist Laura Watkins uses the background sky to indicate weather and time of day.  She continues this throughout the book.  The colors in her outdoor scenes tend to not only reflect the time of day and weather, but the mood of the characters.

The facial features and body postures on each of the animals reveal their emotional status and personality traits.  While their physical characteristics are realistically portrayed, there is also a quality about the animals that depicts them charmingly enough that you might want to hug them. Two of them are more motivated to immediate action, while the other three tend to mull over circumstances.  This is mirrored in Laura Watkins's art.

As the pages are turned, Laura Watkins moves from single-page pictures to groups of vignettes, and to large double-page images, one, a bird's eye view of Brightly Wood.  She also shifts perspectives to enhance the text.  Within Squirrel's, Mouse's, and Rabbit's homes, readers will be fascinated by the attention to detail.  They will also come to understand how a certain moody friend can walk unafraid into the less inviting portions of Brightly Wood.

One of my many favorite illustrations is a two-page picture.  Beaver has found Raccoon seated on a log near the river, soaking his burned feet in the water.  The river mirrors the sky as the day comes to a close.  There are hues of orange, golden yellow, and purple in the sky, silhouettes of trees and trees near the river.  Beaver is seated next to Raccoon on the fallen tree, embracing her downcast friend.  

This book, One Small Thing written by Marsha Diane Arnold with illustrations by Laura Watkins, is a quiet but compelling tale reminding us that we are never too small to effect change or an action we take for good is never too small to make a difference.  It demonstrates how like single snowflakes can combine to make a blizzard that many small things can create a huge shift in someone's life.  It might be fun to do this as a reader's theater.  You will want to have a copy of this on your personal bookshelves and in your professional collections.

To learn more about Marsha Diane Arnold and Laura Watkins and their other work, please visit their websites by following the link attached to their names.  Marsha Diane Arnold has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and Twitter.  Laura Watkins has accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.  There is a wonderful thirteen-page activity guide at the publisher's website for you to download.

A Seasonal Snooze And Merrymaking

Even for fans of winter, the combinations of snow, wind, freezing rain and the Polar Vortex of 2019 have been a challenge.  It takes a hardy soul to enjoy winter sports in wind chills at negative fifty or below.  Navigating through snow even with snowshoes or skis is tricky when there is an icy crust several inches thick on top.  The longer this lasts the more appealing is the desire to huddle under a pile of blankets. 

On October 10, 2017 a lovely, lyrical book exploring the idea of sleeping through the wintry months was released.  William's Winter Nap (Disney Hyperion) written by Linda Ashman with pictures by Chuck Groenink sets aside all the outdoor elements, replacing them with affection found inside a cozy cabin among friends.  You'll want to join them.

In a house on a hill
that's tall and steep,
there's a boy named William
who's ready to sleep.

After William goes through long-nap rituals with covers tucked under his chin, he hears a gentle knocking on his bedroom window.  A winter weary creature, a chipmunk, asks to share his bed.  After exchanging yawns and saying good night, they prepare to drift into dreamland.  Guess what?  There's more rapping, a bit louder.

A grateful porcupine meanders inside and crawls beneath the blankets until . . .

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

A badger at the door makes four.  There are again more yawns and well wishes for a good sleep.  Mere minutes pass before a slight sound at the window announces the presence of a raccoon.  Needless to say, it's getting a bit crowded in William's bed with the number totaling five.

Everyone is sleeping when a loud noise cannot be ignored.  A note appears under the door.  The occupants of William's bed don't want to make any more room.  William is more than willing but when he peeks outside, he has a huge surprise.  It's a bear.  Sadness is replaced with compassion and a feeling of more-the-merrier fills a room and a bed with warmth.


This month a wondering world gets to visit with William and his slumbering friends again.  William Wakes Up (Disney Hyperion, February 5, 2019) written by Linda Ashman with pictures by Chuck Groenink takes us back to the cabin months later.  The deep snows have vanished and preparations for a celebration begin. 

On a quiet morning,
sleepy and still,
William looks out on
a moss-covered hill.

A sound in the distance causes William to spring into action.  There is a cake to make.  William calls to his bedroom companions but the only one to heed his request is Chipmunk.  After the long nap Chipmunk works well but still feels sleepy.  They need more help.

Now William and Chipmunk try to wake the others.  Only Porcupine responds.  With the cake baking, Porcupine helps to spruce up the kitchen until the size of the job overwhelms this pal.

Badger and Bear hear and get out of bed one by one.  As fast as they are able the living room is cleaned and festooned.  The cake is frosted and prettily edged with icing.  The five companions are clearly tuckered out.  They all try to get Raccoon to help, but he still snoozes.

A cheery noise outside announces the arrival of the special guest, Bluebird.  The mention of a single word has Raccoon suddenly sitting up and taking notice.  The other animals who worked hard are not amused.  William makes a suggestion and Raccoon is more than willing to comply.  Spring has sprung!


Readers gravitate toward a book inviting their participation.  Author Linda Ashman uses repetitive incidents and phrasing to welcome us into both stories.  In the first each animal makes a sound declaring their presence and asking to come inside.  William's answer is the same, as is the subsequent yawns and two comforting good nights.  In the newest book William's refrain for help is repeated as is the numbering sequence before each animal replies.

In each book every two lines rhyme at the end.  This along with the other cadences built by words builds anticipation.  Readers wait for the second word.  Readers wait to say aloud the known phrases.  Linda Ashman also combines narrative with dialogue further inviting readers into her stories.  Here is a passage from each book.

It's quiet---just the clock's tick tock.
But, wait---what's that? A

KNOCK, KNOCK, KNOCK.

"Oh, what a lovely cozy place!
Could you spare a smidge of space?"

Will says, "Yes, we'll scooch a bit.
There's room for three---I'm sure we'll fit."


Then Chipmunk conks out on the floor.
"There's WAY too much for us to do.
We'd better wake the others, too."

"Wake up! It's spring!
Today's the day---
a special guest is on the way.
Rise and shine! No time to lose!"

One rolls out.  Three others snooze.


All the illustrations, the first title rendered in pencils, charcoal, ink and Photoshop and the second in pencils and Photoshop, by Chuck Groenink create a particular emotion enveloping readers.  The color palette in each is reflective of the season, darkness and quiet and lightness and sounds of awakening.  On the front of the dust jacket for William's Winter Nap William is happily sharing his bed with the first four animal companions.  They are all blissfully unaware of Bear's arrival.  The scene on the front of the dust jacket for William Wakes Up shows the animals exactly as they were featured in the final image in the first book.  The light outside the window is significantly brighter.  On the back of each dust jacket an interior scene is highlighted in a framed circle.  On the front of both dust jackets the title text is varnished and raised.

Both book cases are different than the dust jackets.  On the first a portion of the quilt on William's spans both the front and the back crossing the spine.  On the companion title in pastel shades of green, yellow, blue and pink with white is a meadow filled with grass, ferns and flowers.  It covers both the front and the back.  The opening and closing endpapers are in purple with white snowflakes in this first book.  In spring green with white, a pattern of tiny ferns and flowers covers the opening and closing endpapers in William Wakes Up.

Beneath the title text William's home is shown in a soft geometric shape, one in winter and the other in spring. Beneath the dedication Chuck Groenink places a circular picture featuring an important character.  Illustration sizes vary between full-page pictures, double-page visuals in loose shapes, loose circle shapes on single pages, images placed on liberal amounts of white space and dramatic two-page pictures.  Chuck Groenink shifts the perspective for maximum emphasis. 

Readers will be keenly aware of the animals' and William's moods based upon their eyes and body postures.  There is humor in these same elements, too.  Readers will enjoy noticing all the extra details.

Two (one from each book) of my many, many favorite illustrations are when the Raccoon comes to the window in the winter and when Porcupine wakes up in the spring.  In the first one it's as if we are outside with Raccoon.  The night is painted in purples and blues. Large flakes of snow are falling on already snow-coated evergreens, the tree branches extending to William's window and the roofs of his home.  We can see the back of Raccoon, a tiny figure perched on the tree branch.  William is peeking out from the lighted window.  This is a single-page picture.

The second illustration spans two pages. On a white background with the floor running along the bottom, William's bed and a small chest next to it are placed.  William is on the left with his hands and arms up and open as he calls out for the animals to wake up.  Chipmunk is mirroring his motions and voice while standing on Bear's head.  The bed extends from the middle of the left side to the right, almost to the edge. Bear, Badger and Raccoon are sound asleep.  Porcupine climbs down one of Bear's arms hanging over the side of the bed.  Badger is on top of the quilt covering Bear with another quilt on top of him.  Raccoon is at the other end of the bed, snoring.


Story time, bedtime or anytime, these two books, William's Winter Nap and William Wakes Up written by Linda Ashman with pictures by Chuck Groenink, will have readers asking for you to read them again and again.  They will joyfully learn the refrains to read or chant them along with you.  Both books would make wonderful readers' theaters.  I highly recommend them both for your personal and professional collections.

To discover more about Linda Ashman and Chuck Groenink and their other work, please follow the links attached to their names to access their websites.  Linda includes extra images from the first and second books.  Chuck includes illustrations from the first book on his site. The publisher supplies an educator's guide for William's Winter Nap and William Wakes Up.  Both Linda Ashman and Chuck Groenink have accounts on Twitter.  Chuck Groenink has an account on Instagram.  Author, reviewer and blogger Julie Danielson showcases the first book at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast.  There is an author's post about publishing and these books at Picture Book Builders by Linda Ashman.

Measuring Victory

When participants enter a competition it is usually with the express purpose of claiming a victory.  Undoubtedly hours, days, maybe even years, have been dedicated to practicing to perfect their skill.  The intriguing thing is not all the individuals will bring with them the same definition of that victory.

Coming in first place or with the highest score may not be desired by everyone.  For some just being there is the true measure of success.  Mama Lion Wins The Race (Scholastic Press, July 25, 2017) written and illustrated by Jon J Muth presents readers with more than one view on winning and what determines those outlooks.

Mama Lion and Tigey looked out their window into a beautiful morning.

As the duo sip their first beverage of the day, contemplating the upcoming race, Tigey proclaims there are one or two things left before they are ready.  Full of excitement Mama Lion runs to get the car.  With equal enthusiasm Tigey plans their route.

As Tigey tinkers with their car, chatting about the race, Mama Lion notices some flaws in Tigey's cup.  Tigey wants to go for the win.

"Well," said Mama Lion.  "Winning is fun, but it isn't everything."

A huge crowd has gathered in the square for the start of the race.  The Flying Pandinis, two pandas and a turtle, The Knitted Monkeys, three beloved toys named Happy-Go-Lucky, Hans and Bumper and Bun Bun, a rabbit, are there with their vehicles.  As all the contestants prepare for the start Mama Lion makes note of the three prizes on the table.

With a roar of engines the race begins!  Before long Mama Lion and Tigey are in the lead.  As they get farther ahead Mama Lion thinks about the glory of the day, the friendliness of spectators along the route and the speed of the Flying Pandinis.  How did they get so close?

In a blink of an eye, a beauty from Mother Nature lands on the road in front of Mama Lion and Tigey.  Tigey swerves missing it but a wheel come off their car.  Seeing their friends in trouble The Flying Pandinis halt and help.  Bun Bun buzzes by scattering seeds along the road and The Knitted Monkeys are not far behind her.  With their car in fine working order again, Mama Lion and Tigey and the Flying Pandinis are in the race again.

Trickery and a quirk of automotive malfunctioning add twists to the event as the finish line grows closer.  More trickery causes an amazing switch.  Mama Lion and Tigey have a choice to make.  On this day everyone wins.


As this story penned by Jon J Muth progresses one of the things readers realize is they are utterly charmed by the characters.  Through their conversations, thoughts and the narrative, which is downright thrilling at points, we come to understand the innate goodness in their personalities, even those rascal monkeys.  They all have gifts which shine and are interwoven in this story.  Here is a sample passage.

"Pop the trunk and grab our tools!" said Tigey.  "We must get on the road again!"
The roar of an engine drew close behind them.  Gravel crunched and brakes screeched as the Flying Pandinis ground to a stop.
"Hurry, we must help them!" said Baby Panda.
"Yes! Look sharp!" said his sister Bao Bao.  "They are using a number 8 spanner when they need a number 12!"


You can't help but be curious or start to grin as you look at the matching dust jacket and book case for this title.  It's not every day you see what look to be two stuffed animals speeding down a road in a race car.  Clearly Mama Lion and Tigey are happy to be in their vehicle in this race.  The color choices, the predominant red, orange, blue and green, mirror the joy seen in the hands raised in greeting and the smiles on the characters' faces.

To the left, on the back, another perspective of the duo driving away from us is shown with the phrase

There is more than one way to win a race!

A bright grass green covers the opening and closing endpapers.  Mama Lion, a smile curving on her face, stands tall to the left of the text on the title page.

Rendered with Caran d'Ache pencils, Italian writing ink, watercolors, and gouache on Moulin Du Roy watercolor paper the illustrations span single, single pages crossing the gutter or double pages in their glorious, delicate, exquisite wonder.  The two-page pictures are stunning in their perspectives.  On many of the pages the use of white space accentuates the bold black text.

Careful readers will notice the Easter eggs in some of the larger scenes. (I wonder how many there are.  How many did I miss?)  Another interesting thing Jon J Muth does is combining animal and human characters.  To me this makes his books, this story, more inviting and magical.

One of my favorite of many illustrations is when Mama Lion is running to get the car and Tigey is plotting their race route on a globe.  Each one of them are holding their cups, steam rising.  Mama Lion is full of complete bliss as she leaps forward.  Tigey is intently noticing the two red x marks joined by dotted lines.  The background is a pale yellow wash.  From this picture we know this story takes place in Italy.


This title, Mama Lion Wins The Race, written and illustrated by Jon J Muth is overflowing with exuberant delight.  The cast of characters, their values and the gentle reminder of what is most important in a race, in life, surrounds readers like a warm and comforting hug.  This book is one you must have on your professional and personal bookshelves.  You need to read it aloud and share it with others whenever you can.  You will also be pleased to note Jon J Muth thanks those who introduced him to their stuffed friends.  He even names specific people and their toys.

To learn more about Jon J Muth and his other work please follow the link attached to his name to access his website.  You might want to listen to his video interviews at Reading Rockets.

UPDATE:  Jon J Muth Talks with Roger at The Horn Book on September 20, 2017.

Putting On The Glitz

More than two hundred years ago the kindness of a daughter and parents who recognized her generous heart saved a life.  This life and one particular day were the inspiration for a popular and well-known nursery rhyme which has stood the test of time.  As sometimes happens, there is still some debate as to the author of Mary Had A Little Lamb. (For those of you intrigued here are two articles which make for interesting reading and good discussion points. Nursery Rhyme Investigation: Mary Had a Little Lamb, Elizabeth Bird, A Fuse #8 Production, School Library Journal and Mary Had a Little Lamb-Yes, There was a Mary and She Did Have a Little Lamb, New England Historical Society)

Since the words were first heard, read and sung, this poetic ode to a little girl and her woolly companion have been the object of many illustrative interpretations and written adaptations.  They have especially been fuel for the wonderful and creative minds found in children's literature.  Mary Had a Little Glam (Sterling Children's Books, August 2, 2016) written by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is a lively look at spreading joy through fashion.

Mary had a little glam
that grew into a LOT.

And everywhere that Mary went,
she wasn't hard to spot.  

This gal had an eye for blending textures and colorful patterns.  She had a knack for knowing what extras would complement her clothing choices.  This charming creature of cheer was not aware of the shock awaiting her on her first day at school.

Her classmates' attire had not one little pinch of pizzazz.  As a matter of fact, the entire school needed a makeover.  Like a magician waving a wand, Mary's sense of style began to transform everyone and everything.  Everywhere that Mary went fashion was sure to follow.

Story time looked as if her classmates were about to attend a royal function, bling was a fad in art and a trip to the library was done with dramatic decorum.  As the minutes passed in merriment the teacher soon proclaimed

"It's recess time!"

A picturesque procession left the building, ready to hop, skip and jump.

When the playground came into view, the students, and Mary too, suddenly did not know what to do.  Surely their decked-out designs were not fit for all this dirt.  In a twinkle Mary moved and moved some more.  Her classmates did not tarry but followed Mary.  Frolic.


With every word penned by Tammi Sauer in this rhyming rendition of an enduring verse, happiness, like a drum, beats and bounces off the pages.  Her sentences are a tribute to individuality and the contagious nature of being free to be yourself.  Never forced but full of fun, phrases portray this spirited soul as she and her classmates enjoy their morning until with no more than the merest hesitation the cadence continues.  Mary has not only a flair for fashion but can be practical for a purpose.  Here is a sample passage.

When Mary took a look around
her heart was filled with woe.
The other kids in class with her
were glam-less head to toe.


How can you not smile when opening the matching dust jacket and book case?  Using

Corel Painter, Adobe Photoshop CS5.1 and collaged vintage paper and fabrics

Vanessa Brantley-Newton renders the illustrations in vivid, bright hues to pair perfectly with the personality of Mary.  Her facial features, body position and attire say Hello world!  What are we going to do today?  To the left, on the back, Mary, shopping bags in hand, is featured with the first four sentences.  The opening and closing endpapers showcase a before and after array of her classmates clothing on a white canvas.

The picture sizes shift as the text dictates from two pages, to single pages and smaller images on a single page.  Brantley-Newton continues using the crisp white background to accentuate her palette and designs.  Each illustration flows into the next flawlessly.

Her details invite readers to pause on each page.  A man reading a newspaper is holding actual newsprint, Mary's constant companion is a small stuffed toy lamb purse, the name of the school is Mother Goose Elementary and the classroom jobs board is another nod to nursery rhymes.  Careful readers will love noticing the changes in Mary's newest accessory, an occupied bird's nest.

One of my favorite pictures is of Mary walking to school.  Her bubbly personality and glamorous garb has caught the attention of several dogs.  Their walkers, one in front of Mary and the other behind her, are trying to keep everyone straight but entanglements ensue.  A baker and dressmaker watch, smiling, through their windows and displays.  The pennants and quilted shade at the bakery are a charming touch.


Mary Had a Little Glam written by Tammi Sauer with illustrations by Vanessa Brantley-Newton is like holding happiness in your hand.  This delightful depiction will have readers wanting to spruce up their own personal styles.  There will be requests for read it again and perhaps a boa, crown and beads.

To discover more about Tammi Sauer and Vanessa Brantley-Newton and their work please follow the links attached to their names to access their website and blog respectively.  More can be seen about Vanessa Brantley-Newton at Painted Words.  She and her studio are showcased at Andrea Skyberg's site.  Tammi Sauer is a guest author and featured author at PictureBookBuilders, KidLit 411, Unleashing Readers and Reading, Writing and Reaching for Chocolate.

Flake By Flake

There is nothing like the feeling of anticipation as we await a big event, an event we have experienced before, an event we know will color our world in the best way possible.  Perhaps we travel hundreds, maybe even thousands of miles, to relive a series of unforgettable seconds, minutes, hours or days.  Or maybe all we have to do is walk out the door of our home.

Some say this excitement is heightened for children but if you carry the wonder of childhood in your soul, seeing the world with their eyes, it's the same no matter your age.  When the trees are bare of leaves, temperatures and the barometer dropping, gray clouds gathering overhead in the sky and the date of December 22 is getting closer on the calendar, it's a sure sign snow is eminent.  Jonathan Bean (One Starry Night, Building Our House) fills his readers' hearts with a keen sense of hopefulness in his most recent title, Big Snow (Farrar Straus Giroux).

"Mom," said David, "when will it snow?"

David is entering the kitchen through the back door all bundled up in winter clothing after being outside gazing up and about his yard.  His Mom suggests he help her bake cookies as he waits for the snow which will surely fall soon.  He measures out ingredients until the flour reminds him of flurries, falling flurries.

Out he goes to see if the flakes are coming down yet.  They are!  Now he wonders how much snow will fall.  His Mom thinks it will cover the ground but asks him to help her clean the bathrooms.  All goes well until the oodles of soapy bubbles remind him of what is happening in his neighborhood.  When he opens the door, stepping onto the lawn, he sees the world starting to look whiter.

Busy getting ready for company his Mom could use his help changing the bedding.  Doing the best he can, he drapes those pure white sheets over his mattress.  Yes, readers, they remind him of the drifts which must certainly be forming.  Out and in he goes again.  Everything is getting spread in layers of winter's frosting.

Could this be a big snow?  During his afternoon nap, a dream exceeds his wildest expectations.  Between reality and our imagination the line is often fine, so fine it ceases to exist.


It's easy to fall in love with David and his Mom.  Their conversational exchanges depict a trusting and loving relationship; his enthusiasm tempered with her patience throughout the day.  For each task reminding David of the snow, Jonathan Bean takes David's words using them to build upon the changing weather outside. His repetition of a certain phrase gives the story a spirited rhythm matching the boy's growing eagerness.  Here is an example.

But then the flour, white and fine, made David think of snow.
So he decided to check the weather. 
Small flakes fell softly, white and fine.


Opening the jacket we get a bird's eye perspective of the town, zooming in on David in his backyard with his red sled waiting, watching the snowflakes fall.  On the title page the viewpoint shifts to us looking at David straight on, his Mom peering out the kitchen window to check on him.  The next wordless illustration spans edge to edge across two pages, giving us a glimpse of the neighborhood, a small quiet area with older homes.  Again we are looking from above.

For the majority of the book four single-page pictures follow one of Jonathan Bean's two page spreads.  The single pages bring us right into the rooms of the house with David and his Mom.  A special endearing humor becomes apparent when Bean interprets this sentence each time.

So he decided to check the weather.

We see David's mom cleaning up, finishing, his latest efforts to help, little messes left in haste.

Rendered in watercolor and ink, the choices in color, while it's winter outside, exude a warmth especially when we are inside David's home.  Small details Christmas decorations, a calendar and a menorah in a neighbor's window give us an idea of the time of year.  Quietly present in most of the illustrations, clearly a member of the family, is a ginger-colored cat.  Bean even concludes the story with a final small illustration as part of the publication information page.


Big Snow written and illustrated by Jonathan Bean is going to make a big impression on every single reader.  With a group as the first snowfall gently covers the ground outside or one on one snuggled inside before bed, this book is adorable with a capital A.  It's got the combination of text and pictures which will make it a timeless classic.

Embedded in Jonathan Bean's name are links to his website and blog.  If you follow this link to the publisher's website you can get a look at more illustrations from the book. Update:  Today, October 31, 2013, Julie Danielson at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast, posted many illustrations in various stages from this title.