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Snowflakes Fall (2013)

by Patricia MacLachlan(Favorite Author)

3.98 of 5 Votes: 4

ISBN

0375982191 (ISBN13: 9780375982194)

languge

English

genre

Poetry

publisher

Random House Books for Young Readers

review 1: This poignant tribute to the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims is an unbroken verse that celebrates rebirth and individuality. MacLachlan’s words celebrate the joys of winter and the coming spring and childhoods spent in happy play. Kellogg’s lovely illustrations feature children reveling in the countryside snow and the changing of seasons. The references to falling snowflakes and snow angels in both text and illustrations aptly allude to the young victims, although the book is neither morbid nor depressing. The focus here is on life, not death, and hope, not despair. The book’s cover and front end papers reinforce the themes of childhood play, while the back end papers feature twenty snow angels being borne up to the sky. If this title is to be used in a... moren instructional setting, I suspect it is for young audiences and meant to be shared with an adult that can provide an age-appropriate explanation of the tragic events at Sandy Hook. Otherwise, this tender picture book can be another winter poem for youngsters to enjoy. For older students it could be used to find examples of metaphor or symbolism in prose after they have read expository text about the events of Newtown.
review 2: Glancing through a book review publication last fall, I came across the review for this book, which was published as a tribute to the children of Sandy Hook. I suggested the library purchase it, and then promptly forgot about it. But moseying through the Library today, I noticed this book standing upright on the bookshelf. The cover alone was suitably eye-catching, and I’m a sucker for children enjoying seasons. A perfect fit!As I flipped the pages and took in the simple story of the unique snowflakes and the equally unique children who revel in them, I saw the quiet message the author and illustrator were driving home, about the beauty and uniqueness of children, and the continuity of life. A poignant book, filled with simple truths to entertain children—but meant to comfort adults, I think. less

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