Perfect Snow

by Barbara Reid

It came in the night. "Perfect!" said Scott. "Snow!" said Jim. At recess the schoolyard is full of happy kids. Scott is making snowmen, Jim is working on the world's greatest snow fort. At lunchtime they join forces to create a perfect snow surprise! Barbara Reid combines her trademark plasticine artwork with ink and watercolour panels to bring a timeless tale of winter fun to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Canada, Friendship, Fiction, Storytime, Art

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2009

About the author

As a child, Barbara Reid loved reading, drawing, writing and fooling around with plasticine. She kept at it, and has written and illustrated 19 picture books, illustrating more than 25. Her books have been published in over a dozen countries, and her signature plasticine relief illustrations have won many awards including a Governor General’s Award for Illustration and the Ezra Jack Keats Award. Her work has been selected for the IBBY International Honour List, Sydney Taylor Notable Books, the Toronto Public Library’s First and Best List and the Ontario Library Association Best Bets. Recently, Picture a Tree received starred reviews in Quill and Quire, the Horn Book, Kirkus and Booklist.

Through workshops and presentations across Canada, Barbara has enjoyed meeting thousands of young readers, writers and fellow plasticine artists. In July 2013 Barbara was appointed a Member of the Order of Canada.

Barbara’s dimensional artwork is photographed for reproduction by photographer, and husband, Ian Crysler. Barbara lives in Toronto, but is at home in libraries and classrooms everywhere.

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Barbara Reid's Plasticine (think claymation) style illustrations are phenomenal, labor instensive works of art. The kid tornado and playground from above scenese are especially impressive. Unfortunately, what is less impressive is the storyline, which feels a little stiff and dated. Seriously, what teacher dresses like that anymore. The ink and water color panels between the vibrant Plasticine illustrations seem like substitute filler due to an impending deadline, and are distracting to the story. The cover flap indicates that this style combo was an intentional trial. I appreciate the spirit of innovation, but, sometimes, it's better not to mess with a good thing.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book captures the joy and excitement of playing outside in the snow, especially after an overnight snowfall of fresh, pristine white stuff that is perfect for building snowmen and snow forts. My children were delighted with the vivid illustrations the author made with Plasticine that is shaped and pressed onto illustration board.

"Look at all the details!" my daughter said as she and her brother poured over the book. It must have taken the author hours to make them because the illustrations have such minute details, making them realistic and colorful. True artistic talent.

The story itself was okay but it sounded stilted when read since I found it lacked a flowing rhythm. However, the characters were likable and it shows an older child helping a younger one, and children working together while having fun. There is no plot, really. However, if your young children love playing in the snow, this book will capture their attention.

[Kirito · Rating 1 out of 5]

Barbara Reid's Perfect Snow is a book by Barbara Reid. This book talks about Jim and Scott enjoying the school day with snow.

I picked up this book because I had to do it for a character map for school.

I finished this book because I had to for my homework.

I think I would recommend this to nobody because I didn't really like it and I won't recommend books I don't like.

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a simple story about the joys of playing in the snow and the combined effect of cooperation. The Plasticine illustrations are very entertaining and the story is fun to read aloud. We enjoyed reading this story together, although our girls were jealous that they didn't get a lot of snow to play in this winter.

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winter is my favorite season, and snow is one of my favorite things in the world - even if it means hours of shoveling each day. In this book Barbara Reid captures a child's wonder and fascination with the first snow fall and all that can be done with snow. Snow forts, snow balls, and snowmen are part and parcel of childhood in Canada, and Reid captures that wonderfully.


This book is also a departure for her in that it includes some sketches and comic-style framed story to supplement her world- famous plasticine art. Her work with plasticine often looks like it is photographs. This book with the predominance of white for the snow is a masterpiece of art. This is another fabulous book by a Canadian author and illustrator and a prime example of why she has won almost every Children's Book award.

[Donna Mork · Rating 4 out of 5]

It snows but school is still open. At recess one kid wants to build a fort, the other wants to build snowmen. At lunch they decide to join forces and build a fort made out of snowmen. Everyone chips in. The next day it rains, and all is slush. The slush is perfect.

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

The overhead spread of the schoolyard is absolutely delightful. All the art in this is so dynamic and so particular. And the story is one many northerners can relate to.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm really interested in discovering why Reid combines Plasticine art with and watercolor panels...

[Virginia · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars?

[Drusilla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Papercut illustrations show the perfect glee of children and snow. A fun read about the snow, playing outdoors, working together ....

[Nadia L. Hohn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gorgeous, intricate, detailed illustrations that capture a moment.

[Lucy Bozzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's amazing how much effort Barbara puts into illustrations that are beautiful and unique. Love her books!

[Ailish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book reminded my mom of the magic of playing in the snow at recess - I can't wait to try that some day. We liked the plasticine art, but it bothered my mom that Jim wasn't wearing a hat.

[Tami · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever experienced the prefect snow? A time when the snow was perfect for sledding and making snow people. A day full of so much fun.

This is the day that Scott and Jim looked forward to. The boys woke up to snow and were eager to play. Unfortunately, they had to wait all day until school was done. Then, no one could stop them.

Perfect Snow is the perfect winter story. The illustrations combine colourful clay art and comic book like strips which give the story something extra. Just an overall fun read.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grades K-4. What happens when there is lots of snow but no snow day??? This book definitely captures the excitement of all the possibilities for recess. At first the main character wants to create a fort and has big plans. So do all the other kids, and it seems as though there is not enough snow to go around. Love how eventually the children come together with a shared vision and create something bigger and better than any one person could build.

[Karen Arendt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Children at school are excited for recess so they can play in the new snow building snowmen and forts. What makes this story different is the illustrations. Part colorful plasticine art, part watercolor create depth in the illustrations.

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt nothing especially for the story itself, but was worth three stars just for the absolutely charming top view clay art illustration on pg.8-9 and generally for the unique and creative multi-media use that was infused with the detailing memorabilia of a childhood day in the snow.

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reid outdid herself with her plasticine illustrations of children building snowmen and snow forts on the school yard. Very detailed, with snowprints and snow fall and melting patches, etc. Black and white inked panels extend the story further. An excellent effort.

[Ms. B · Rating 3 out of 5]

What happens when it's snowing and you do not get a Snow Day? You get the perfect recess. Perfect for making a snow fort, building snowmen, and more. Barbara Reid's Plasticine illustrations are sure to make this a popular choice among those looking for the perfect winter read aloud.

[Bethe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Growing up in Ohio we had many snowy recess times. Kind of sad that if we ever got snow here in texas during recess, the kids wouldn't be allowed to go outside to play in it. I'm fair on the plasticine illustrations, I like the pen drawings better.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Two boys in two different houses wake up to lots of snow. They excitedly get to school and have to wait for recess to play in the snow with their friends. They eventually combine their efforts to build a special snow fort. Amazing illustrations in plasticine.

[Maureen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another superb book from Barbara Reid. Conflict and resolution, and breath-taking illustrations. Wonderful!

[Jamie]

Good for an older storytime.

[Tracy · Rating 5 out of 5]

The illustrations are bright and fun. The story is great!

[Sara]

6/25/11 This might be the perfect book to bring a snow day! I think I must have it for a read aloud on such days! :)

[Linda Atkinson · Rating 4 out of 5]

A visual delight in a combination of clay art and black and white strips. A great picture book for K-2nd.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reid captures the excitement and chaos of a perfectly snowy day on the schoolyard. Students will likely recognize themselves in Scott and Jim.

[Denise · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jim and Scott are thrilled with the snow that fell overnight despite the fact they have to still head to school. They join forces at recess/lunch to create an army of snowmen.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Really captures the joy of playing in the snow. Made me feel like a kid again :)

[Kansas]

ddb