I wasn't going to bother reviewing this book, but I discover that I'm about the only one that has read it, and so I think it would be a disservice to I wasn't going to bother reviewing this book, but I discover that I'm about the only one that has read it, and so I think it would be a disservice to the author not to say something.
Our two girls have, in a bit over a year, have apparantly consumed most of the children's literature appropriate to their intellectual level - once again proving Sturgeon's Law. It's getting harder and harder to find something fresh at the library to read to them. Most of what is good, is also famous, and most of what is famous and good, we have read to the girls.
I found this book by recourse to an old fashioned linear search of the shelfs, examining each title a book cover at a time and looking for likely suspects. I picked the book up the day before the first good snow of the season, and we have read it to the girls a couple of times since then. I can't say that they were entralled, but it's a pretty good book with charming illustrations and it's probably is worth adding Phillis Gershator to the list of children's authors to explore.
The structure of the story is extremely simple and is based like so many children's books for toddlers on simple rhyme, refrain, and repetition. A large variaty of animals are questioned how they respond to a snow, and each responds in a way that forms a antiphony. It's a proven formula though as an adult you may find it tiring and some of the verses are a bit of a stretch in order to fit the pattern. ...more
I actually got a copy of this book out of a box of Cheerios.
It is a rather good children's book. The writing is solid, rhymes, and reads well aloud. II actually got a copy of this book out of a box of Cheerios.
It is a rather good children's book. The writing is solid, rhymes, and reads well aloud. It entertains my two year olds, seems likely to entertain when they are able to read on thier own, and is educational without being overly preachy or moralizing. The illustrations have a modernist bent, and tend to be abstract and friendly in a way that is slightly cartoonish, but are very colorful and appropriate. In particular, I like that the illustrations do what I find many of the best children's illustrated books do which is provide visual details at several increasing fields of depth (see Tibor Gergely's classic illustrations of 'The Little Red Caboose' for an excellent example of this). This gives little minds plenty to absorb even over repeated readings.
The book is typical of children's lit, modern or otherwise, in going out of its way to be politically correct for its time. In this case, there is evidence that the author thinks that every child reader just has to have characters that look exactly like them to relate to (or at least that the book will only be published if it meets this criteria), and as such there are some slightly odd choices among that hat wearers to meet the requisite diversity (Nate Love as the iconic cowboy hat wearer, Sallie Ride as the iconic astronaut). However, because the book isn't preachy I can easily forgive that, and I can't see any real harm done in introducing some slightly more obscure figures. I just wonder whether or not 50 years from now they'll have a laugh or cringe at our current touchiness and too often unreflected upon assumptions of the absolute moral worth of diversity....more
I've been avoiding listing this one because there is a part of me that screams, "Why didn't you give this book 5 stars!?!?!" Certainly, that part of mI've been avoiding listing this one because there is a part of me that screams, "Why didn't you give this book 5 stars!?!?!" Certainly, that part of me has a point. I've read this book more than any other book save two - the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. Generally, any book I find worth reading more than 4 or 5 times I also find worth giving 5 stars to. And, in terms of the power and sophistication of the stories contained within, the book is probably unmatched as a collection of short stories. Likewise, it offers an unparalleled glimse into the historical past. And, it has probably some of the most stirring passages in all of literature which provingly remain thrilling and moving when translated into any language. Additionally, it is a profoundly deep and philosophical book. Finally, it the core of who I choose to define myself as as a person.
So why just four stars? What compels me in all honesty to give it short marks?
To be fully honest, there are large passages particularly in the first testament - much of Jeremiah, portions of the larger prophetic works, and pretty much all of the minor prophets - that I just find boring and intractably obscure. Pushing through them is a chore, and I seldom find anything I can really chew on. I suspect that to really appreciate these passages I'd have to learn some Hebrew and put in alot more serious study than I have, but really that's not what I want from this book. When I open it, I'm not looking for lengthy vistas (though I'm happy when I find them), but a more pithy and accessible sort of knowledge - as one opening a mechanic's reference or soldier's battle handbook.
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