School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-The most important changes in this revised edition are in the illustrations and format. The watercolors are fresher, more child oriented, and include youngsters of different ethnic backgrounds. There are even more snowflakes, evoking a much stronger feeling about the magic of snow. The attractive design includes larger pages and typeset and a cleaner, neater appearance. The text remains much the same, although the language has been updated (for example, "Eskimo" has been changed to "in the far north, people-") and some explanations are smoother and more easily understood, such as the thermometer experiment. Two additional experiments plus some Web sites have been appended. This book would work well in science units or thematic storytimes.-Kay Bowes, Concord Pike Library, Wilmington, DE (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
A simple text ponders both the benefits and challenges of snow. Branley discusses how snow protects dormant plants, hibernating animals, and some people from the wind and cold, as well as how heavy snowfall affects springtime flooding. Keller's new illustrations are a good match for the spare, informative text. A few easy activities explore snow's different properties, and a list of websites is appended. From HORN BOOK Fall 2000, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Booklist Review
Gr. 1^-2. "What's good and bad about snow?" is the central question of this new title by the founder of the fine Let's-Read-and-Find-Out-Science series. As in his other titles, Branley is successful in presenting scientific facts to the very young, moving from the most basic observations about snow ("sometimes snow is wet and sticky . . . sometimes snow is light, dry, and fluffy") to exploring the effects that snow has on people, animals, and the earth. Some of the facts seem overly simplistic even for this young set ("It is always cold when it snows"), but there are plenty of useful beginning words, concepts, and activities, extended by uncluttered, attractive illustrations and a concluding resource section for teachers. For kids from all climates who know about the fun but ask, "What does snow do?" --Gillian Engberg
