Elem. – Just One Flake

Jonker, Travis. Just One Flake. Abrams Books for Young Readers. 2023. 978-1-419-76011-2. 32 p. $18.99. Grades K-2.

Liam is determined to catch one snowflake…on his tongue! He bundles up and heads outside. Can he do it? Can he catch just one flake on his tongue before it’s time to go inside?

THOUGHTS: I love this book. It is a perfect way to introduce a lesson on snowflakes, and it’s so adorable. The simple illustrations perfectly capture the feeling of this story. 

Picture Book 

Elem. – Where Snow Angels Go

O’Farrell, Maggie. Where Snow Angels Go. Candlewick, 2021. 978-1-536-21937-1. 72 p. $18.99. Grades 3-6.

A magical holiday story that doesn’t focus on a particular celebration, but instead focuses on the winter season. Slyvie makes a snow angel one night and much to her surprise the angel comes to life as her protector. In a fairy tale or mythical way, the angel says that he will always watch over her because water has a memory and despite being in different forms and places, she will have her angel watching over her. The angel despises the thought of being magic, or simply scientific.

THOUGHTS: A great update to the winter collection in any elementary library. The potential tie-ins to lessons related to the water system, winter solstice, and fairy tales make this title universally appealing for the upper grades at the elementary level.

Picture Book          Samantha Hull, Ephrata Area SD

Elem. – A Thousand White Butterflies

Betancourt-Perez, Jessica. A Thousand White Butterflies. Charlesbridge. 978-1-580-89577-4. 32 p. $16.99. Grades K-3. 

Isabella has just moved to the United States from Colombia. She’s about to begin school, but an unexpected blizzard cancels her first day. She feels trapped by all the unfamiliar snow, and she misses her friends and her Papa who is still in Colombia. While looking out the window, Isabella sees a girl slip and fall into the snow outside. She bundles into her puffy coat and boots and hurries outside to see if the girl is alright. The pair end up spending the afternoon making snow angels, snowballs, and a snowman. Despite the language barrier, they laugh and play and make the most out of their surprise meeting and unexpected day off from school. Two Author’s Notes describe how the co-authors met and the real-life inspiration behind this book. Additionally, a “More Info” section defines “immigrants” as people who leave their original country to live permanently in a new place. It also includes a brief history of immigration to the United States. Lastly, a glossary defines each Spanish word or phrase used in the story. 

THOUGHTS: Hope, resilience, and friendship are central themes in this immigration story, as is the idea that children are able to make connections with each other despite language and cultural differences. These ideas will make good talking points during morning meetings or when welcoming a new student into a classroom. Share this title with guidance counselors and ESOL teachers. 

Picture Book          Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD

Elem. – Raccoon’s Perfect Snowman

Wish, Katia. Raccoon’s Perfect Snowman. Sleeping Bear Press, 2020. 978-1-534-11067-0. 32 p. $16.99. Grades K-3. 

Raccoon loves building snowmen, and he takes the job very seriously. He sketches his designs in the snow before building, and all winter long he practices. He uses only the cleanest, whitest snow, the roundest, most symmetrical snowballs, and the finest decorations. Raccoon becomes such an expert snowman builder that he knows his friends will want his help and advice. But, when they start building together, Raccoon’s friends have a challenging time because Raccoon uses all the best supplies himself. When the building is complete, Raccoon admires his most perfect snowman yet. Only after seeing his friends’ creations – a mish-mash of lumpy snowballs formed from pine needle-speckled snow – does he realize that while his snowman is perfect, he feels perfectly awful. Raccoon calls his friends together to build one final snowman. They let loose, working together and having fun while creating a gigantic perfectly imperfect snowman. Wish’s wintery watercolor illustrations perfectly complement the text, expanding this story of simple snowy day fun.

THOUGHTS: When Raccoon lets go of his perfectionistic ideals, he realizes how much fun it can be to work as part of a team. He demonstrates empathy and self-awareness when he realizes how his friends feel about their creations and how he made them feel when he used all the best supplies. This story will work well for wintery Morning Meetings or social-emotional lessons about friendship, feelings, and perfectionism.

Picture Book          Anne Bozievich, Southern York County SD