Snow

Ms. Stojic's UN-noirish takes on "The Big Chill," portrays the reaction of big cuddly animals to the first signs of a snowy winter. We first meet the wise owl, who sets the book's calm tone. Other animals include a bear, and a moose who sniffs the whirling white stuff, his nose predominant in the picture. THe animals adapt to the seasonal change that will both educate and calm your young audience. It's a great book for group story time, as the animal faces and the action of the snow are large enough even for those in the back. The bright colors and painterly (but not precious) renditions of the snow, leaves, and animals give this the pictures a splashy, textured feeling--the oversized faces look like inviting and touchable. The plot is limited to the animals' observations and adaptations to the snow, but the overall message is that animals and humans can weather the weather. Except for one line about a fox "bristling" against the snow, the rhymes are unforced, and will help keep kids focused. Toddlers, especially, will enjoy Stojic's childlike drawings of friendly forest animals. Much better than expected, the book is both interesting and relazing, and can stimulate discussion and art pojects at preschool and very early elementary school.