The Snowflake by Benji Davies (review)

In this joyful celebration of wintry delights, a reluctant snowflake balks at her downward journey but is nonetheless sent swirling away by a nearby cloud. Meanwhile, young Noelle is prepping for the holidays, hoping to make the little evergreen she found into a smaller version of the glorious tree she saw in a store window. After she and her Pappie adorn the tree with ornaments and bows, they set it out on the windowsill and Noelle goes to bed hoping for snow. She’s rewarded with an icy landscape in the morning, and the hesitant snowflake has found the perfect landing spot atop Noelle’s merry tree. The narrative has a pleasing balance of energy and softness, with the snowflake’s trip providing dynamic verve as she wheels and twirls through the sky while Noelle’s storyline anchors the book with a quiet directness. Crayon-like grainy textures give the art a cozy warmth even as the palette is largely dominated by cool blues and whites, and small visual details—lampposts decked out in lit-up snowflakes, garland trailing along the stairwell—make it particularly festive. Pair this with Bean’s Big Snow (BCCB 11/13) or Jenkins’ Toys Meet Snow (BCCB 12/15) for a cheerful seasonal storytime.