review 1: I just want to praise this beautiful piece that Lori Nichols has created. Not only but because my name is Maple and I am the older sister of Miss Willow Marie Snow, but because this book rings true to every older sister's heart. I know that because I feel the same way about my sister, except that if she was cold I would instead of giving her my hat and gloves I would tell her not to stick in the snow but to journey back inside to grab her own. Even though I say what I just did I agree with this book and think that every person alive on Earth today, and tomorrow, and the day after that, and the day after that, so on and so on should read this book and think about Maple. People need to think about pronouncing a b instead of a p. People need to remember the good and the joy ... morethat simple things like a sister can bring to our life. Thank you Lori, for creating this beautiful piece that has become the book on the eye level book shelf; the one being taken off most often. review 2: I thought this was such as sweet book! The pastel pencil and digitally colored illustrations matched the tone of the story perfectly, and on several pages, the illustrations depict what the text does not specify; for example, on one double-page spread, the text says "Then one day, something surprising happened" while the illustrations shows that new tree has been planted. And on the next page, the text says "Then something really surprising happened" and the illustration shows Maple looking at her pregnant mother. So the illustrations are very integral to the story. It remains to be seen whether the Caldecott committee deems it worthy, but it certainly would be great book for story time. less
