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Snow: Perfect Picture Book Friday

13 January 2012 - 13 comments
Here's a beautiful book by Cynthia Rylant that you DON'T want to miss. Plus! Three fun follow-up activities.

Snow by Cynthia Rylant. Book review and activities for first grade.

Snow
Written: Cynthia Rylant
Illustrations: Lauren Stringer
Publishing: Harcourt Books, 2008,
Ages: 5 to 12
Themes: Snow, Imagery, Realistic Fiction
Opening: "The best snow is the snow that comes softly in the night, like a shy friend afraid to knock, so she thinks she'll just wait in the yard until you see her. This is the snow that brings you peace."

Brief Synopsis: This is a beautiful look at a day in the life of a young child and her elderly grandmother. It explores different kinds of snowy days and how they make you feel. It also briefly touches upon the fragility and impermanence of life: "And the snow, while it is here, reminds us of this: that nothing lasts forever except memories."

Why I Like This Book:  The illustrations are soft and dreamy. The text is typical of Cynthia Rylant, with a lovely rolling feel to it. This book just makes you feel peaceful.

Resources:

1. A fabulous 4-page activity guide with pre and post-reading questions, plus math, science and art extensions!
2. Here's a sweet snowy art project you can find at Deep Space Sparkle.


3. Another gorgeous snow painting from That Artist Woman. Hard to believe, but a Grade 1 child painted that!




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13 comments

  1. Lory Robinson13 January 2012 at 19:25

    LOve those paintings!

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  2. Runde's Room13 January 2012 at 19:34

    WOW!!! That art is FANTASTIC! (might have to steal it) ;)
    I hadn't heard of that book before, but the language sounds beautiful!

    Jen
    Runde's Room

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  3. Traci13 January 2012 at 22:00

    That Snow book looks beautiful. Definitely going to have to look into adding that to my collection.
    ♥ Dragonflies in First ♥

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  4. Joanna14 January 2012 at 00:34

    Barbara, that polar bear painting has me speechless. What talent! I'd be happy to hang that on any wall in my house... I too love the lyrical, gentleness of this book. Great choice!

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  5. Dee14 January 2012 at 05:50

    Isn't Cynthia Rylant amazing? I didn't realize there was a book activity guide. Thanks for the the link!

    Dee
    First Impressions

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  6. Susanna Leonard Hill14 January 2012 at 07:53

    This book sounds beautiful, Barbara! I love Cynthia Rylant, and this looks like a lovely quiet, dreamy book, just like those peaceful snowfalls. I love your suggested activity. And that polar bear - WOW! A first-grader? That is truly impressive! Thanks so much for sharing this worthy addition to our list!

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  7. Penny Klostermann14 January 2012 at 18:17

    The opening was enough to hook me. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.

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  8. Patricia T.15 January 2012 at 14:40

    Somehow, I missed commenting on your book, or it appeared added after I checked out the list. I love Cynthia Rylant's book "Snow," it has such a pristine nature about it. And it is so lyrical. Very nice choice for cold weather. And, I can't believe a child drew the polar bear! WOW -- a budding artist.

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  9. Robyn Campbell15 January 2012 at 15:59

    Cynthia Rylant is awesomely lovely!!!!!!!!! I'll have to get this book.

    And I cannot believe that a first grader did the polar bears. OH MY GOODNESS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *sigh* I can't even draw a stick figure. *envious* :-)

    *waving*

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  10. Anonymous15 January 2012 at 18:59

    Barbara, this is a great choice-my teachers are looking for "snow" picture books this time of year-I have a pretty sizeable Cynthia Rylant collection, but I didn't recognize this book-we opened the library on 2007 and must have just missed this one in our opening collection. Will have to add it for sure-looks great! Thanks so much!!

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  11. Beth Stilborn15 January 2012 at 19:37

    This book sounds wonderful -- and like so many others, I am absolutely astonished at the polar bear art piece! wow.

    Thank you, Barbara!

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    Replies
    1. Barbara15 January 2012 at 21:45

      Thanks for all your sweet comments, everyone! They're very much appreciated :)

      Delete
  12. Anonymous20 January 2012 at 13:51

    Just wanted to let you know that I had my kids do the painting with one red object and a tree and snow after our unit on The Snowy Day and Ezra Jack Keats. It was awesome. I love doing art with them about literature. Thanks!

    First in Maine

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