Waiting for Snow

September 12, 2016
Badger wants it to snow: it’s winter, so it should be snowing. Hedgehog is a creature of faith. “It will snow in snow’s time,” he tells Badger. “All we have to do is wait.” Badger can’t wait and, with the help of friends who are ready and willing to support their pal, tries to get it to snow. They throw pebbles at the sky, dance, and put their pajamas on backward, all to no avail. Liwska’s (The Quiet Book) gentle, fuzzy drawings, done in the softest browns and the palest blues, offer the comfort of a beloved stuffed toy. Her creatures are free to play and experiment as they wish, and, after they’ve exhausted every possibility, a collection of vignettes shows the animals learning patience as they find other things to do until, at last, flakes begin to drift down. Using Hedgehog as the even-keeled voice of reason, Arnold (Lost. Found.) suggests that there is something to be said for accepting a situation rather than fighting it. Ages 4–7. Author’s agent: Karen Grencik, Red Fox Literary. Illustrator’s agent: Holly McGhee, Pippin Properties.

Small woodland animals try to conjure snow.Badger's frustrated because even though it's winter, there's nary a snowflake. His friend, philosophical Hedgehog, counsels that snow will come "in snow's time," the same way crocus bulbs sprout every spring and "the sun comes back every day"--but Badger can't bear to wait. He drags pots and pans from his house and bangs on them. It doesn't summon snow, but it does bring three more friends: Rabbit, Vole, and Possum. Together they throw pebbles at the sky ("Pebbles rained down. Snow didn't") and dance a snow dance in couples ("They stomped and rocked. They bopped and boogied. They whirled and swirled"). The animals are anthropomorphic--using bowls and spoons, writing on slates with chalk, knitting, playing banjo and fiddle, and paring potatoes--yet they are for the most part unclothed and can sleep outdoors when they choose. With soothing, low-saturation colors and soft crosshatchings, Liwska subtly blends outdoors and indoors: an indoor disco ball references stars, while a classroom rug looks very grasslike. Delicate pencil lines show scenes as simultaneously earnest and funny, as when Badger calculates snow at an outdoor desk while Hedgehog runs an overhead projector or Badger's bedroom--he's wearing his pajamas backward to induce snow--with a toy animal and bookend turned toward the wall and a lamp upside-down. Snow can't be forced, but this will help ease the wait. (Picture book. 3-6) COPYRIGHT(1) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

December 1, 2016

PreS-Gr 1-Five young woodland friends grow impatient in anticipation of a snowfall. Hedgehog, Badger, Rabbit, Vole, and Possum combine efforts to bring on the flakes. Neither banging pots and pans, tossing pebbles at the sky, wearing backward pajamas, nor taking part in an elegant snow dance does the trick. The friends even try to make their own snow, sifting powdered sugar off the roof, but tell themselves that things "always come in their time." After distracting themselves with hopscotch, yo-yos, naps, and paper airplanes, they finally wake after a slumber party to find a field that's perfect for making snowballs. The digitally colored drawings rely on a somewhat dark but textured palette of soft grays, browns, and blues to reflect the season, and Liwska's critters are adorably rounded. Details such as an assortment of hats, including a shower cap for Vole, make merriment to alleviate the tension. VERDICT A super tonic for the winter blahs, suitable for one-on-one and small group sharing.-Gay Lynn Van Vleck, Henrico County Library, Glen Allen, VA

Copyright 2016 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

November 1, 2016
Preschool-K Quiet, charming, and just plain fun, little ones eager for winter will relate to this story's snow-loving characters. When a collection of animal friendsBadger, Hedgehog, Rabbit, Vole, and Possumget impatient for winter to arrive, the various tricks and superstitions they attempt may provoke giggles and smiles among readers. From banging pots and pans to wake up the sky to sleeping with their cozy pajamas on backwards, the friends' frustrations escalate when the stubborn snow still does not fall. Badger in particular is impatient, and the friends band together to give him a sweet surprisethey sprinkle sugar over his doorway when he emerges in the morningbut it pales in comparison to the real thing. Wise Hedgehog joins in the fun, though he's the lone voice of reason, emphasizing the continuous, cyclical nature of the seasons and the importance of patience. But how long can these friends wait, and when will it snow? Kiddos eager for the changing of seasons will easily find kinship among these antsy woodland creatures in this engaging story perfect for a winter-themed storytime.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2016, American Library Association.)

September 1, 2016
Small woodland animals try to conjure snow.Badger's frustrated because even though it's winter, there's nary a snowflake. His friend, philosophical Hedgehog, counsels that snow will come "in snow's time," the same way crocus bulbs sprout every spring and "the sun comes back every day"--but Badger can't bear to wait. He drags pots and pans from his house and bangs on them. It doesn't summon snow, but it does bring three more friends: Rabbit, Vole, and Possum. Together they throw pebbles at the sky ("Pebbles rained down. Snow didn't") and dance a snow dance in couples ("They stomped and rocked. They bopped and boogied. They whirled and swirled"). The animals are anthropomorphic--using bowls and spoons, writing on slates with chalk, knitting, playing banjo and fiddle, and paring potatoes--yet they are for the most part unclothed and can sleep outdoors when they choose. With soothing, low-saturation colors and soft crosshatchings, Liwska subtly blends outdoors and indoors: an indoor disco ball references stars, while a classroom rug looks very grasslike. Delicate pencil lines show scenes as simultaneously earnest and funny, as when Badger calculates snow at an outdoor desk while Hedgehog runs an overhead projector or Badger's bedroom--he's wearing his pajamas backward to induce snow--with a toy animal and bookend turned toward the wall and a lamp upside-down. Snow can't be forced, but this will help ease the wait. (Picture book. 3-6)

COPYRIGHT(2016) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.