Maddie and Mabel Ready for Snow

Gr 1-3–In this fifth book in the early reader series, sisters Maddie and Mabel are anticipating snow. Maddie is the older sister who likes to navigate and tell her inquisitive younger sister Mabel what to do. The girls are so excited to wake up one morning to their eagerly awaited snow, and their wintry day is split into four vignettes that show the power of cooperation. Maddie begins to build a snowperson while Mabel tries to build snowballs. In the end, both girls get tired of building individually and decide to work together as a team. The sisters go sledding, and solve a count-off disagreement by counting together instead. In the last chapter, the girls are back inside enjoying hot chocolate with marshmallows to warm themselves up. Maddie reminisces about their fun day outside, and Mabel surprises her with paper snowflakes that they call “sister snow.” This series is a sweet departure from books where the oldest sibling thinks the younger sibling hanging around them is annoying. Mai-Wyss’s charming illustrations capture the sisters’ delight with the snow and each other. Included are closing questions for readers to engage with the story, and relate it to their own life.