For the winter holidays I like to find a few books that fit the seasons (snow, particular Holidays (both spiritual and non) and “something else.” That usually is just a good book to recommend. Well, I found two different books (both out, but read via online readers) that fit a few of the categories.
The first is The Snowmansion: (A Wordless Winter Picture Book About a Snowman, Friendship, and Magic for Kids Ages 4-8) by Gideon Sterer and Stella Lim. Reminiscent of The Snowman by Raymond Briggs, it takes things to the next level. My interpretation of things is that a child builds a snowperson, befriends them, and worries about them being out in the cold, snow and alone while they are at school. One playdate has them building a grand snow castle-fort-mansion. Still, though the snowperson is now safe, the child still worries. But there is a surprise in store for them.
The main part of things are the illustrations which are really amazing. This book is going to be a great winter read, holiday gift giver, and an anytime book because of them. The colors are not muted, but neither do they fly off the page. The use of yellow-white (white-yellow?) for the lights in the snow mansion are a delightful edition. They are warm, cozy, but also you can see the chill in the air. I would totally frame the images from the book.
I would also frame the images from Anna’s Kokeshi Dolls: A Children’s Story Told in English and Japanese by Tracy Gallup. First, I really wish I could read the Japanese version of the story. I would love to know the difference between the two. But the story itself is a delight in English. There is a young girl who, in a one-two-buckle-my-shoe format, adds the special Kokeshi dolls to her collection. We see how different, sweet, even mysterious they are. We see tall, short, oval shaped heads and even a long skinny neck and head one. Each one is a gift from her grandparents. The afterwards gives more information about the dolls, the letters in the images and a bit more.
Then there are those images. Just rich, deep, dreamy, almost mystical. To call them beautifully-illustrated is an understatement. They just are both forceful and calm. They are emotional and speak to the reader or in their case, the viewer. They not only support the story, they are the story. This book is not specific to the winter holidays, but though it is a few years old, it is a must have book for your classroom, child gift, local library, and even for the adult in your life who likes Zen like stories, Japan, dolls, or looking for a book that takes over.
