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!

Visit Grade ONEderful's profile on Pinterest.

13 comments

Lory Robinson13 January 2012 at 19:25
LOve those paintings!
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
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 ♥
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!
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
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!
Penny Klostermann14 January 2012 at 18:17
The opening was enough to hook me. Thanks for bringing this book to my attention.
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.
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*
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!!
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!
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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