  | Full Text Reviews: Booklist - 11/01/2015 Two friends, Bear and Hare, wake up one morning to find it’s snowing! Spread after double-page spread show the two enjoying various snowy activities. But Hare seems to be having a much better time than Bear. They catch snowflakes on their tongues, but Bear looks bewildered and uncertain. They make snow angels, but perplexed Bear lies deep in the snow as Hare joyously surveys his perfect bunny prints. Again and again, Hare’s exuberance humorously contrasts with Bear’s inexplicable unease. It is not until Hare and Bear go sledding that Bear has fun. Gravett’s matter-of-fact lines contrast comically with her pencil, watercolor, and crayon illustrations, which showcase the gulf between Hare’s and Bear’s enjoyment of the snowfall in their subtle but unmistakable facial expressions. Speckled snowflakes adorn the pages throughout, providing continuity and the magical feeling of being out in a snowfall. Though the story is a simple one, these delightfully kind animals and their soft, adorable faces will be ones readers will enjoy getting to know. - Copyright 2015 Booklist. School Library Journal - 11/01/2015 PreS-Gr 2—Good friends Bear and Hare go outside one morning and discover something marvelous—it's snowing! Hare is visibly delighted, while Bear appears hesitant but willing to give snow activities a try. Hare is skilled in each activity—for example, making some lovely snow angels. Bear's much heavier frame, however, has sunk him too deep to make a typical angel. Hare happily builds a "snow hare," while Bear becomes the corresponding "snow bear" as a heavy-laden tree branch dumps its snow on him. Finally, Hare decides they will give sledding a go. After rocketing down a hill with his friend, Bear appears to finally start enjoying himself. Like many of Gravett's books, the simple, to-the-point text could be read to a toddler, but the understated humor (at the expense of poor Bear) will elicit giggles from early elementary schoolers. The statement "They made snow prints" is comedically undermined by the image of Bear, sunk waist-deep into the snow with a look of distinct uneasiness in his eyes. The illustrations are all of Hare, Bear, and essentially the same snowy backdrop, so the focus is squarely on the characters. The contrast between the pair's facial expressions is priceless, as Hare is just so pleased with every new activity. VERDICT Sweet yet humorous; this one is sure to be a hit in winter-themed storytimes.—Sara White, Seminole County Public Library, Casselberry, FL - Copyright 2015 Publishers Weekly, Library Journal and/or School Library Journal used with permission. Loading...
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