Waiting for Snow

PreS-Gr 1—Five young woodland friends grow impatient in anticipation of a snowfall. Hedgehog, Badger, Rabbit, Vole, and Possum combine efforts to bring on the flakes. Neither banging pots and pans, tossing pebbles at the sky, wearing backward pajamas, nor taking part in an elegant snow dance does the trick. The friends even try to make their own snow, sifting powdered sugar off the roof, but tell themselves that things "always come in their time." After distracting themselves with hopscotch, yo-yos, naps, and paper airplanes, they finally wake after a slumber party to find a field that's perfect for making snowballs. The digitally colored drawings rely on a somewhat dark but textured palette of soft grays, browns, and blues to reflect the season, and Liwska's critters are adorably rounded. Details such as an assortment of hats, including a shower cap for Vole, make merriment to alleviate the tension.