Book Review: Samson in the Snow

SAMSON IN THE SNOW by Philip C. Stead tells quiet story of blooming friendship on a snowy day.

Samson is a wholly mammoth that longs for a friend. What he doesn’t realize is that his simple acts of kindness are building the foundations of an unexpected threesome. Full-color, wordless pages contribute to the appeal of this simple story.

Librarians will find this sweet story to be useful in jumpstarting conversations about the meaning of friendship and importance of kindness. The prehistoric setting will be a drawn for some readers.

To learn more about the author/illustrator, go to https://philipstead.com/.

Published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan on September 27, 2016. ARC courtesy of the publisher.

Digital Collection: National Snow & Ice Center

NATIONAL SNOW & ICE CENTER

Contents: This website contains scientific data focusing on glaciers, ice sheets, ice shelves, permafrost, sea ice, soil moisture, and snow. In addition to data sets, the resource also includes photo collections, maps, and other interesting resources.

Classroom Connections: The data sets in this collections are useful for teaching science concepts along with data literacy. Involve students in examining changes over time and ask them to draw conclusions.

Featured Digital Objects:
Photo Collection - https://goo.gl/4ItvCm
Scientists in the Field - https://goo.gl/YxvwU8
About the Cryosphere - https://goo.gl/bw3fVy

To visit the collection, https://nsidc.org/.

Book Review: The Tale of Rescue

THE TALE OF RESCUE by Michael J. Rosen tells the fictional adventure of a dog that comes to the aid of a family during a blizzard.

When a young boy and his parents are lost in a snow storm, a cattle dog comes to their rescue. Unable to convince his master of the emergency, the cattle dog manages to create an ingenious way to save the frightened family.

Rosen’s rich storytelling skills make the tale come to life. Middle grade readers will feel like they’re reading a true story. What makes the novel particularly compelling is the use of the epilogue to extend the experience.

The beautiful watercolor illustrations add to the appeal of the story.

Authentic, well-written animal stories are always in demand, so librarians will find a large audience among animal lovers. The short length combined with the engaging epilogue will be popular among reluctant readers.

To learn more about the author, go to http://www.fidosopher.com/

Published by Candlewick Press on October 13, 2015. ARC courtesy of publisher.

Book Review: Dear Yeti

DEAR YETI by James Kwan is an adorable picture book featuring a pair of young hikers on a quest to find a mythical creature.

A small, blue bird delivers letters from the hikers to the yeti trying to convince the creature to show itself. Along the way, the yeti helps the children by leaving them berries, building a snow shelter, and saving them from a bear. In the end, they form a friendship.

The large, informal font and epistolary form will be attractive to young readers. The illustrator’s use of a red dotted line to follow the bird’s flight will appeal to young adventurers.

Librarians will find this story of a friendly, helpful monster to be popular with primary-aged children. The story would also be a fun way to introduce letter writing.

Learn more about the author/illustrator at http://www.james-kwan.com/.

Published by Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan on November 3, 2015.