The magical snowflake

Ford and Robinson's titular snowflake leads a community on a merry march in this hypnotic tribute to a season's first snowfall. "It was the middle of winter but there was no snow!" declares text alongside an early scene of children of various skin tones bundled up and frolicking atop frozen grass. When Ori, portrayed with brown skin, wishes for snow, a single "special snowflake" immediately lands atop her nose, seeming to whisper, "Follow me." Beckoning to her peers, the child pursues the flake as a storm descends. Gradually, adults join the kids as the lot make their way to town to sing a variation on a classic: "We wish you a merry winter." When the enchanted flake finally lands upon a string of lights across Main Street, it ushers in winter "at last." Spongy effects from Robinson capture the fuzziness of flurries coating the town, while iridescent hues conjure the bliss of an eagerly awaited winter storm. Ages 3--6. (Oct.)

When a child wishes for snow, a snowflake transforms her town. A group of racially diverse kids want to play outside. The weather is cold, the ground is frozen, and the children's toes are like ice cubes inside their boots--but there is no snow. Ori, a Black girl with puffy hair, looks to the sky and wishes for snow, and a sparkling snowflake lands on her nose, then her shoulder, and whispers for her to follow. The other children follow Ori and the Magical Snowflake, and suddenly it begins to snow. As the children leave the park and pass by houses, other people come outside. Grown-ups follow children, and soon the snow is knee-deep. The people form a circle and sing songs of winter, of snow, of joy, and they dance around the Magical Snowflake. Day turns to night, and the Magical Snowflake attaches to a string of lights in the town, where it stays through the winter. An assured storytelling voice creates anticipation for the characters' winter day. As readers become entranced, the story builds to joyful moments of community and seasonal cheer inspired by their magical guest. At one point the people sing, "We wish you a merry winter" (rather than "Christmas")--a nice, and inclusive, touch. Robinson's layered artwork uses color and detail in surprising ways to deliver majestic scenes children will want to pore over again and again. Beautifully executed. (Picture book. 4-8) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.