The big white circles with bright splashes of color are appealing to little eyes! The story has good rhythm, too. Now, at a year and a half, my little guy still loves the book and we play outside in the snow whenever we can. Even as a baby my son loved the book, I think because he found the stark contrast in the collages stimulating. Personal reaction: Snowballs is a favorite winter story in our house. A great read for a snowy day, or a day stuck at home, as it provides activity ideas for both indoor and outdoor play! The board book edition does not have these fabulous appendices.Īudience: 0-8. In these final pages we see supplies, mittens, and gloves from all over the world. Readers will have fun recognizing the every-day materials, and find great inspiration for either their own collages or snowmen! The picture book includes a visual index of the “good stuff” to save for snowmen as well as information about snow and photographs of snowmen. In addition to snowman supplies such as hats, scarves, sticks, and pinecones, the narrator has saved objects like seeds, nuts, fruit, popcorn and dried corn kernels, washers, compares, toy car wheels, plastic fish, and a necktie. Kids will especially enjoy Ehlert’s edgy, funny snowmen. The the story and illustrations combine to make a great read-aloud where children are viewing the book from a distance and ready to respond to the narrator’s questions and observations.

When the sun comes out, the background changes from grey to bright orange. The collages also change orientation, using full two-page spreads vertically to depict a single snowman. From the opening page, which asks, “Do you think birds know when it’s going to snow?” Ehlert’s large-print text is conversational, and her collages are big and colorful. Literary Quality: In Snowballs, a child describes waiting for the perfect snow day and the process of creating a snow family, including the family pets.

Theme: snow, snowballs, snowmen, nature, creativity, play, winter, family, birds, seeds, materials, textures,

Plot: It’s a snowball day, the perfect kind of day to make a snow family! But it only lasts until the sun comes out… Orlando, FL: Harcourt Brace & Company, 1995.

Snowballs by Lois Ehlert