Buy Issue for $25 at JHUP- Before Morning by Joyce Sidman
Trade ed. ISBN 978-0-547-97917-5 $17.99
E-book ed. ISBN 978-1-328-68609-1 $17.99
Reviewed from galleys R* 5-8 yrs
A verse invocation calls for a snowfall (“Let the air turn to feathers,/the earth turn to sugar/and all that is heavy turn light”) that will transform the city, while the illustrations focus on one resident’s story. An airline pilot coaxes her hat back from her reluctant child, completes a few last chores, and heads out in the snow to the airport. The snow falls so thickly, though, that the planes are grounded, so clever Mom snags a ride back home on a snowplow and enjoys a family snow day, going sledding in the park with her kids. The poetry is brief but lovely, giving voice to many youngsters’ dreams of a blanket of snow; the art’s creation of a plot gives narrative weight to the verse, while Krommes’ intricate scratchboard illustrations lend a pleasing toylike quality to the rounded figures and stylized landscape. Use this along with Sakai’s Snow Day (BCCB 2/09) for a gentle pairing of snow days where the best part is special family time. A brief note discusses invocations and wishing aloud. [End Page 147]
