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The Snow Day

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 4; suggested age 4.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Amazing artwork captures snow's wintry magic.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 4 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
  • Illustrations:

    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.

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of The Snow Day was written by Patricia Tauzer

Parents need to know that the writer and illustrator of this book began her career as a textile designer, and her snowy scenes in this book truly show off her talent. Her previous book, Emily's Balloon, was named an ALA Notable Children's Book.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the snowy day and the mix of feelings they might feel when they are kept indoors by a storm. Families who haven't had the experience of seeing snow can imagine what it would be like to have a "snow day." How did the little kindergartner feel when he heard he could not go to school that day? What was the first thing he did? What else got canceled? The bunny felt he and his mom were all alone in the world. Why do you think he felt that way?
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More on The Snow Day

Book Summary

Is It Any Good?

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.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine, Publication date: 1/1/2009
Number of pages: 32, Price: $16.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 4, Read Alone: 7

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