Review By JENNIFER KALI
This book by P.D. Eastman is part of the Dr. Seuss family. Similar in style to Go, Dog, Go, it’s an early reading book about two kids and their dog playing in the snow. They run, throw snow balls, build a snowman, ski, make an igloo.
It’s a simple book with simple pictures that are good for read-aloud and for learning to read. However, I can’t stand it. I am not a fan of P.D. Eastman, though I know his books are popular with the kids. We have this one and Go, Dog, Go, and I just don’t like to read them. My daughter enjoys them enough though they are definitely not amongst her favorite books, and certainly not as loved as the real Dr. Seuss books. I’ve always felt thatit’s a major stretch to include P.D. Eastman books in the Dr. Seuss family of books.
In one part of the book, the two children build an igloo and sit down for a picnic. It’s strange – it seems all they eat is meat. “Do you like to eat? Do you like meat? Come and eat our meat.” I get that it’s a nice rhyme with easy words, but each time I get to this part, I stumble because I’m not sure how to proceed.
My daughter received this book at birth, and I’ve held onto it thinking that she might enjoy it when she is learning to read. However, I’ve decided that I don’t like the book enough make the meat reference acceptable. I’ll be donating this book to make room for my daughter’s Christmas presents.
Baby-Preschool.
Blessedmama // Dec 26, 2011 at 7:26 pm
Hey, I love the honest review! I had a review column for seven years for a homeschooling newsletter, and I always felt that a review column was meant not just for positive reviews but negative ones as well. Now, I’m curious about this meat-lovin’ Eastman.
Jen // Nov 12, 2012 at 11:04 am
I appreciate your review of this book. It’s funny, this was one of my favorite books growing up. I loved the pictures of the child playing in the snow. It reminded me of carefree winter days. I have it for my children now and enjoy reading the sing-song rhymes to them. I do agree though it is good to get different perspectives . ..
Snow Coming Out East // Dec 27, 2012 at 8:28 am
[…] storm is coming! Snow and lots of it. It’s just cold. It is no fun playing in this kind of snow. At least Dr. […]
Tanya Voigt // Jan 20, 2017 at 8:56 pm
Where can I buy this book Snow?
Christina // Apr 30, 2017 at 1:49 am
This was my most favorite book when I was 5 and now I am 44 and this book is still my favorite…it brings back so many memories of my late mum reading it to me and I just wanted to say thank you…
Mel Sheperd // Mar 21, 2018 at 1:13 pm
I’m so sorry to hear
that you do not like that book so dear.
When I was small
and could not read
this book helped me
plant the seed
of learning.
You see, I, too, loved SNOW
SNOW SNOW SNOW s-n-o-w.
And fun. And play.
And so I say
perhaps you might
have another look
and use your right
to dream some dreams,
some silly dreams
and scheme some schemes,
implausible schemes.
Like hurling spheres
at someone’s ears.
And hic and cough and laugh
and I’ll hurl one back on your behalf.
And if we sit in igloos chilly
and picnic, yum, on something silly
like made up food
that’s oh so good
then a day well had
is all we could
hope to have
this frigid day
unless you’d rather
me rhyme away
and play with words
that run on and on
instead of going out! Begone!
Now I am sure
that you prefer your
books demure
like Cookie and Moon
but someday soon
you may just like —– Snow.
but not today or all this week
as most the country sneaks a peek
out the windows and sees
nothing but —– Snow.
Not trees.
So, if you please,
when summer comes
and the sun is hot
and the sweat does run
I would rather not
go out for fun,
but stay inside
with AC on,
with freezer door open wide
and count the snowballs stuffed inside.
You see when the heat is hot
and the hu is midity
and the grass needs cut
and kids are fidgety
I’ll dream of a time
when bugs are dead
and there’s no grime
from sweaty heads.
I will dream of
winter’s fauna,
or dogs on sleds
and birdbath saunas.
You see, I love that book.
And hope you choose
to have another look
and see with eyes and head and heart
that this corny story can be a part
of family fun and bed time giggles
for you and kids
and I’ve run out of cheesy rhymes
so I’ll end it here and leave you to
count your kidlings’ wee little piggles.