When the Snow Is Deeper Than My Boots Are Tall by Jean Reidy (review)

This rhyming picture book follows a young child's first winter foray into the snow, from the first flake falling in the morning to the hot cup of cocoa at the end of the day. There is, of course, the preparation: "Slip on my snow pants./Tug on my hat./Loopty-loop my scarf./What's cozier than that?" Once outside, snowball fights with friends begin ("Splet! Splat! Splot!") along with snowman-making efforts, until "my pinkie's in my mitten/where my thumb should go,/and my hat flies off/when the cold winds blows." Mama and Papa cheer the narrator up, though, and some more wintry fun ensues until the fam decides to head on inside for a crackling fire and a nice warm drink. While the rhyme stumbles occasionally, this is still a joyful, rhythmic celebration of the wonders of the season, and inclusion of repetition and onomatopoeia make this an appealing readaloud. Chou's digital art has a geometric solidity to it, and the scenes are awash in in appropriate tones of blue and white with touches of lavender and pink, adding a bit of frosty dreaminess, while the kiddo's boldly colorful getup highlights the text's effusive lightness. Read this before a trek out into the snow drifts or pair it with Bean's Big Snow (BCCB 11/13) for a cozy cuddle on a chilly evening.