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What's Under the SNOW?

19 January 2012 - 30 comments

It's crazy how Perfect Picture Book Friday seems to roll around so quickly!

We've been doing a winter unit AND it snowed here in sleepy Victoria, so I'm going to feature yet another snow book. Hope you don't mind, but I forgot how many great ones I have in my collection.




Written by: Melissa Stewart

Illustrations by: Constance R. Bergum

Publishing: Peachtree Publishers, 2009,

Suitable for Ages: 4 to 8

Themes/Topics: Non-Fiction, Snow, Winter, Animals, Nature

Opening: "In the heart of winter, a deep layer of snow blankets fields and forests, ponds and wetlands. You spend your days sledding and skating and having snowball fights. But under the snow lies a hidden world."

Brief Synopsis: This beautiful book gives us a brief peek into that hidden, secret world. We visit sleeping ladybugs, a quiet snake, a busy vole, a dozing chipmunk, butterflies, bumblebees, beavers and more. The book really makes you think and wonder about the invisible winter creatures all around us. As I was reading it to my class, more than one child remarked, "But what happens if we accidentally step on them?"

Why I Like This Book:  It's factual, charming, engaging, and is written simply but effectively, with just enough facts to whet a curious appetite. The illustrations are beautifully detailed water colours. 

Resources:
1. An "Under the Snow" Readers Theatre.
2. A whole bunch of winter math activities by The Tutor Coach.
3. Here's an Animals in Winter booklet from First Grade and Fabulous.
4. Create an "under the snow" mural scene.
5. Use shaving cream to create a thin layer on snow on construction paper. Use different tools to make tracks in the snow.
6. Brainstorm a list of good things about snow and bad things about snow and then choose one of the items on either list and write a story about it.
7. Research how big the animals in the books are and create a chart or graph to compare their sizes.
8. Choose an animal that's not featured in the book and find out what it does during cold weather and snow.
9. If there is snow on the ground, go on a walk outside and look for tracks or traces of animals that might be out and about.
10. Put some black paper in the freezer, then when it snows, catch snowflakes on the paper and observe them with a magnifying glass.
11. Fairy Dust Teaching has instructions for these very cute bear dens:


12. Or you may like this "Cardinals in Winter" art project from Deep Space Sparkle:



Be sure to check out this "under the snow" Groundhog Day activity. It includes a free poem and rebus story, too!


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30 comments

  1. Loni Edwards20 January 2012 at 02:39

    Great review! I will have to look for this one. It sounds beautiful. I like all of the activities you posted. That bear den is oh so cute!

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    Replies
    1. Barbara20 January 2012 at 20:30

      Thanks Loni. Yes, Fairy Dust Teaching has lots of cute ideas.

      Delete
  2. Mrs. Nunley20 January 2012 at 02:46

    I love Perfect Picture Book Friday! You always feature such cute books and have great ideas with them! Thank you!
    -Megan

    First Grade Magic

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  3. Joanna20 January 2012 at 03:26

    Great review! I would like to suggest a great additional read alongside this would be Kate Messner's new Picture Book Over and Under the Snow, which I have thought of reviewing!

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  4. laughinbrunette (Jennifer)20 January 2012 at 04:45

    Looks like another book to add to my wish list! =)
    Jennifer
    First Grade Blue SKies

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  5. Anonymous20 January 2012 at 04:53

    It seems like a really cool book! I think I'll try the shaving cream activity.
    Erik :)

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  6. Renee LaTulippe20 January 2012 at 05:35

    Ooh, I love all the art projects. Hope my kids turn out crafty! And your kids had a good question, because I was thinking the same thing: "Great, more stuff to worry about when I walk in the snow!" Don't want to hurt anybody...:) I love the snow, and this looks really charming.

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  7. Susanna Leonard Hill20 January 2012 at 06:59

    This book sounds lovely - and so interesting. I love learning about things like this. And I'm with the kids - what if you step on them? :) The projects look really wonderful, too. Thanks so much for this terrific addition!

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    Replies
    1. Barbara20 January 2012 at 20:42

      Careful where you walk, Susanna and Renee :)

      Delete
  8. Jennifer Lee Young20 January 2012 at 07:04

    Love your review Barabara! Can't wait to get this book for my little ones. Thank you for sharing it along with the all the ideas from the link. :)

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    Replies
    1. Barbara20 January 2012 at 20:44

      Thanks, Jennifer ... And you're welcome :)

      Delete
  9. Beth Stilborn20 January 2012 at 08:04

    You had me with the title, before i even clicked through from Susanna's blog! I immediately thought about all that goes on under the snow. What did you answer the kids who asked "What if we accidentally step on one of them?"

    Great activities, too.

    Thank you!

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    Replies
    1. Barbara20 January 2012 at 20:47

      Thanks, Beth. I told them they were usually too deep to hurt. Hope I'm right :)

      Delete
  10. Patricia T.20 January 2012 at 08:48

    Sounds like a wonderful book for kids. Rarely do we stop and think where the creatures hide or hybernate during the winter. The illustrations look lovely, and the book is very educational in a fun way. Great review.

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  11. Tracy Bermeo (A2ZMommy)20 January 2012 at 16:35

    I love this book! My kids have asked more than once what happens to the animals in the winter and my answers are very limited. I even wonder myself. Great pick, and yes, PPBF does seem to come around rather quickly!

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  12. Delighted20 January 2012 at 17:19

    Love your review of this book. Sounds like a book that needs to be added to my collection. (Wow! My list is wayyyy to long!!!!) Have a great weekend.

    ❤First Grade Delight❤
    imgoingfirst@gmail.com

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    Replies
    1. Barbara20 January 2012 at 20:49

      Love your comments Patricia, Tracy and Delighted. Thanks for visiting:)

      Delete
  13. patientdreamer20 January 2012 at 18:02

    Beautiful book and loved the review, and I love the snow theme. Have to be honest and admit I never gave the animals/insects living under the snow, a thought! Enjoy your weekend.

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  14. Amanda20 January 2012 at 20:17

    You changed your look again! I love it! Those pandas are too cute :)

    Thank you for the book review! I have never heard of that one before, but definitely need to add it to my collection! Have a nice weekend!

    Amanda
    First Grade Garden

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    Replies
    1. Barbara20 January 2012 at 20:52

      Thanks, Amanda. I have a problem when it comes to switching up the design ... It's just so fun:)

      Delete
  15. Stacy S. Jensen21 January 2012 at 07:13

    These activities look interesting. Plus, really like your student's question. I also wonder what happens if I step on them?

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  16. Clar http://clarbojahn.wordpress.com/21 January 2012 at 10:25

    Thanks for another wonderful selection including snow. We got about two inches of snow last night and I am enjoying feeding the birds. Don't have kids right now but I may make the pine cone surprise for the birds myself. Love all the resources you gave. :)

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    Replies
    1. Barbara21 January 2012 at 12:54

      Thanks, ladies. I appreciate your comments :)

      Delete
  17. Heather22 January 2012 at 05:30

    My nature loving son will love this book, I will definitely be looking for it. You have a fantastic resource list, too!

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  18. Anonymous22 January 2012 at 17:47

    I LOVE your ideas to accompany this book, Barbara! The bear den is oh so adorable. I like the idea of using shaving cream to create snow and then making tracks. Will have to pass this along to my K-1 teachers-or maybe we will just have a shaving cream/snow day in the library! :-)

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  19. Corey Schwartz26 January 2012 at 13:59

    Oh, funny... I actually just posted about a Groundhog's day book. I am a PB author with a son in first grade.

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