I love this picture book! It is a perfect combo of lyrical text and early science for kids. Heck, I learned things in the back matter--I never knew the underground winter world where mice, voles, and other animals live is called the subnivean zone. So much is packed into this one book. Messner's words are beautiful and vivid (i.e. a deer's "hoof prints punch through the crust," a beavers' lodges are called "little mountains in the marsh"). The fictional story of a father and daughter cross-country skiing is perfectly balanced with the "hidden" animals on each page--creating an "I spy" book of sorts. The tall format of the book is perfect for the topic, leaving plenty of room to show the underground world of the animals. Neal's mixed media illustrations are playful and informative. The backwater information extends the value of the book--a perfect science book for early elementary students. It's also a delightful bedtime book. This is a book to linger over and one that begs to be read again and again. I know I will. Lexile Level: AD700LPages: 32Summary: A young girl out cross country skiing with her father learns about different animals and how they survive living under the snow during the winter. Recommendations or Comments: An information picture book that teaches facts in a very subtle manner. Illustrations show the world above and below the snow.Stars: 4 starsReviewed By: Michèle Freese
Love this book! Will use this book for sure! Wonderful nonfiction elements.
—aikesakes
Poetic and educational with beautiful art.
—winawum
Nice little reading about animals
—natalie
Example of literary non-fiction
—wp1126
