Is That You, Winter?, by Stephen Gammell, 1997, San Diego, CA: Silver Whistle. 32 pages. ISBN: 978-0152014155.
Age/Interest Level: 3-7 years
Lexile Level: N/A
Awards: Minnesota Book Award (1998)
Reader Annotation: Old Man Winter wakes up for work and he is not at all in a good mood. As freezing rain, snow, and ice pelt the landscape, a young girl just might warm his heart.
Plot Summary: Old Man Winter is starting to wonder why he bothers to make it snow. Each winter, he wakes up and begin trucking along the landscape, causing snow and ice to rain down. After falling into a snow bank on a slippery road, he seriously considers giving up. However, a young girl comes to his rescue, helping him up and making him like winter just a little more.
Critical Evaluation: Stephen Gammell has one of the most distinctive styles as an illustrator. With his trademark watercolors, he pelts the canvas with a splash of color. Here, his work is absolutely dangerous, the dark blues of winter cracking through the white canvas. It’s a blistering work and reminiscent of harsh winters, but he does it with such a delicate touch that there’s absolutely calm when the young girl comes to the aid of Old Man Winter.
Why Included: This is an excellent work for getting into the winter season and for examining what it means to exude a little kindness. Children will love the cowboy hat-wearing symbol of the winter season.
Age/Interest Level: 3-7 years
Lexile Level: N/A
Awards: Minnesota Book Award (1998)
Reader Annotation: Old Man Winter wakes up for work and he is not at all in a good mood. As freezing rain, snow, and ice pelt the landscape, a young girl just might warm his heart.
Plot Summary: Old Man Winter is starting to wonder why he bothers to make it snow. Each winter, he wakes up and begin trucking along the landscape, causing snow and ice to rain down. After falling into a snow bank on a slippery road, he seriously considers giving up. However, a young girl comes to his rescue, helping him up and making him like winter just a little more.
Critical Evaluation: Stephen Gammell has one of the most distinctive styles as an illustrator. With his trademark watercolors, he pelts the canvas with a splash of color. Here, his work is absolutely dangerous, the dark blues of winter cracking through the white canvas. It’s a blistering work and reminiscent of harsh winters, but he does it with such a delicate touch that there’s absolutely calm when the young girl comes to the aid of Old Man Winter.
Why Included: This is an excellent work for getting into the winter season and for examining what it means to exude a little kindness. Children will love the cowboy hat-wearing symbol of the winter season.