Synopsis: Four wee kittens anticipate snow, three warily and one with excitement.
Review: Caldecott Medal Winner (My Friend Rabbit), Eric Rohmann, has created another charming picture book that shows respect for a child's fear of the unknown, while also illustrating the power of a positive attitude.
There are four little kittens who have never seen snow. Three of them spend Spring, Summer and Fall worrying about how cold and wet snow will make everything. The fourth kitten just keeps saying, "I can't wait." The fourth kitten's attitude is so wonderful. He never chastises his friends for their hesitation. When the snow comes, he just runs out to play, making it easy for them to join in the fun.
And certainly fun and lively is an apt description of Rohmann's bold and cheerful illustrations for this book. With playful kittens, buzzing bees, swaying leaves and falling snowflakes, the sense of movement in each print is just perfect to capture the attention of even the littlest readers. I can't decide which illustration is my favorite. I love the cat hanging off the mailbox, but the one with all four kittens playing in the leaves is just so electric. I can hear the crunching sound the four of them are making as they roll around. I also love the stark cover. The white background is perfect for a Winter tale, but the bee and flower also help indicate the wonders of the other seasons.
I truly can't wait for Rohmann's next picture book.
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