Common Sense Media Review
By Mandie Caroll
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Squirrel learns how fun winter is in playful sequel.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 3+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
In THE SNOW THIEF, Squirrel isn't excited about the snow that fell overnight and rejects Bird's advice that snow can be fun, opting to stay warm inside instead. At least until Bird lobs a snowball into Squirrel's house and invites them to a snowball fight. Squirrel's natural curiosity leads to a day full of playing happily in the snow. When Squirrel wakes up the next morning, bursting with more ideas for playing in the snow, they discover that the grass is back and the snow's been stolen! Can Bird convince their suspicious friend that there's no snow thief this time?
Is It Any Good?
This playful picture book with appealing characters will help any cold-averse little ones see that there's fun to be had outside during the chilly season. The Snow Thief can also serve more generally as a conversation starter for young readers who might be feeling reluctant to try something new. Bird's creative approach to sparking Squirrel's curiosity and appealing to a desire for fun is a great model for adults, too.
Author Alice Hemmings further delivers on the educational front, nestling seasonal facts into the story and offering expanded, science-based explanations at the end. And Nicola Slater's cartoon art is a delight, particularly when it comes to Squirrel's expressive overreactions—and kids will love puzzling out what happened with Squirrel's hazelnuts. Sure to be reached for over and over, this book's a winter winner.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how Bird overcomes Squirrel's desire to stay inside and avoid winter in The Snow Thief. How does Bird encourage Squirrel's curiosity about snow? Why do you think it works? What are some things you're curious to try but also maybe a little nervous about trying?
How does Bird show kindness and empathy to Squirrel? How does Bird's empathy help Squirrel? Talk about a time that someone was kind to you when you were nervous, scared, or unsure. What did they do that helped?
This book shows what a typical winter in the Northern Hemisphere might look like. How is winter where you live the same or different? What are your favorite wintertime activities?
Book Details
- Author :
- Illustrator : Nicola Slater
- Genre : Picture Book
- Topics : Animals ( Wild Animals ) , Friendship , STEM ( Nature )
- Character Strengths : Curiosity , Empathy
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Sourcebooks Jabberwocky
- Publication date : September 3, 2024
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 4 - 8
- Number of pages : 32
- Available on : Paperback, Nook, Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : January 15, 2026
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