Review by Booklist Review
PreS. Snowbaby could not, would not sleep, no matter how many times his patient Snowmama and Snowpapa come bustling in to fulfill one of his many requests. Finally, Snowbaby admits that he is lonely, so his resourceful parents fashion an equally restless companion, Snowdoggie, whom Snowbaby knows just how to soothe. Although the story is slight, there are some clever touches (Snowmama tucks in her baby under a freshly packed blanket of snow, and papa says, Sleet tight! ), and parents will appreciate the concluding emphasis on self-reliance in combating the sometimes-frustrating moments before slumber. Working in folk-art-style mixed media, Ishikawa, illustrator of Philemon Sturges' Waggers (2005), creates a lovable snow family, resembling a cross between gingerbread people and traditional carrot-nosed snowfolk, and houses them (appropriately enough) in a kind of igloo--though hairsplitters may question the stovepipe extending from the roof. An imaginative treatment of a common childhood issue, tailor-made for winter storytimes or for sharing before sleep on frosty nights. --Jennifer Mattson Copyright 2006 Booklist
From Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.
Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
The mother and father in La Reau's (Rocko and Spanky Go to a Party) story may be made of snow (yes, they both have carrots for noses), but they face a quandary familiar to any pair of flesh-and-blood parents: their baby "could not, would not sleep." Nothing-not Snowmama putting "an extra blanket of snow on his bed," not even Snowpapa singing "Winter Wonderland" or "Frosty the Snowman"-does the trick for Snowbaby. Then parental ingenuity really kicks in, and soon Snowbaby is cuddling up to his very own adorable Snowdoggie-and proving that he's every bit as adept as his parents in nudging along "sleet dreams." Ishikawa's (Waggers) na?f, mixed-media illustrations exude sweetness and good humor. Using a wide range of blue hues, he evokes both the crisp chill of the outdoors and presumably low thermostat setting of Snow family's cozy home in a snowmound; he conveys a domesticity that is at once familiar and whimsical. Very young children should find this one ideal for before-bedtime snuggles under the comforter-particularly after a hard day's work building snow families in the yard. Ages 3-6. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 1-On a cold winter night, Snowbaby is unable to sleep. His father suggests that he tries counting snowflakes, but that doesn't work. Then he complains that he is too hot, so his mother adds a blanket of snow. Then he is too thirsty and too lonely. After a glass of ice water and singing to Snowbaby does not do the trick, the determined parents make a fluffy white Snowdoggie to keep him company. Then the baby is happy but now the dog can not and will not sleep. Snowbaby offers him a drink, a song, and his earmuffs to guard against the wind. Finally, the story comes full circle as Snowbaby and Snowdoggie count snowflakes until everyone is sound asleep. Children will join in LaReau's rhythmic refrain and will be entertained by the reluctant sleepers. Ishikawa's gouache and watercolor paintings create a snowy, windy scene outside while framing a cozy and loving home on the inside, making this a well-paced and delightful bedtime story.-Kristine M. Casper, Huntington Public Library, NY (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Horn Book Review
Counting snowflakes, an extra blanket of snow, a cold glass of water--none of these things help Snowbaby fall asleep; but a Snowdoggie for company finally does the trick. Despite the chilly atmosphere and some superfluous final lines of text, the warm illustrations invite readers to snuggle in for a cozy bedtime story. (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
