The Snow Day (by Komako Sakai)

This is a beautiful book with remarkable illustrations and a sensitively told story sure to charm young kids and their parents. That the main characters are rabbits seems a little strange, but it works, and in a strange way adds to the tenderness of the tale. The minimal text says just enough to move the story forward yet still not detract from the magic of the artwork that captures not only the look of a snowy day, but also its sounds and feelings. In fact, much more is said by the pictures of this story than the words themselves.

Dabs of white falling over a beige world that is highlighted here and there by deeper brown, grey, and blue tones makes the world seem silent, and cold. Then, the subtle use of yellow in the bunny's pajamas, his vest, his galoshes, and the curtains of his house gives a definite feeling of excitement to each scene, the kind a kid would feel on a day like this. And, readers also will understand why the snowy silence makes the little rabbit feels "all alone" in the world, even if they have never lived where snow days are a common occurrence. All will appreciate the dreamy wonder that comes with looking out on a day filled with snow fall, and the magical fairy tale kind of world it creates.

The magic of the artwork that captures not only the look of a snowy day, but also its sounds and feelings. In fact, much more is said by the pictures of this story than the words themselves.