A boy, his father and their dog have a perfect day in a snowy city, illustrated by Governor General’s Literary Award winner Gary Clement.
A young boy wakes up in the early light of a winter morning, pulls on his boots and mittens, and steps out into the snowy city with his dad. They trudge through the snow, their dog bounding along beside them, then a slushy, steamy bus ride takes them to the tobogganing hill for some winter fun. The boy describes all the sights and sounds of the day, from the frost in Dad’s beard and the snow “pillows” in the park, to the noisy clunking snow plows and the singing buskers they pass on their way home. That night, the boy lies awake under cozy covers, reflecting on the day, as snow blankets the world outside his window.
This is winter in the city.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
A boy, his father and their dog have a perfect day in a snowy city, illustrated by Governor General’s Literary Award winner Gary Clement.
A young boy wakes up in the early light of a winter morning, pulls on his boots and mittens, and steps out into the snowy city with his dad. They trudge through the snow, their dog bounding along beside them, then a slushy, steamy bus ride takes them to the tobogganing hill for some winter fun. The boy describes all the sights and sounds of the day, from the frost in Dad’s beard and the snow “pillows” in the park, to the noisy clunking snow plows and the singing buskers they pass on their way home. That night, the boy lies awake under cozy covers, reflecting on the day, as snow blankets the world outside his window.
This is winter in the city.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3
Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
| Published By | Groundwood Books Ltd — Sep 1, 2019 |
| Specifications | 32 pages | 9.375 in x 12.5 in |
| Keywords | snow; father and son; urban setting; tobogganing; first person narration; diversity; weather; seasons; community; respect for others; empathy; respect for community; respect for environment; figurative language; poetry; author studies; illustrator studies; rich illustrations; convey meaning through illustration; first person narration; visualizing; imagining; Common Core aligned; CC Literature Key Ideas and Details; CC Literature Craft and Structure; |
| Written By |
JAMES GLADSTONE is an editor and author of books for children. He has also written the highly acclaimed picture book When Planet Earth Was New, illustrated by Katherine Diemert, and, most recently, Turtle Pond, illustrated by Karen Reczuch. James lives in Toronto. |
| Illustrated by |
GARY CLEMENT is an award-winning author and illustrator. He has won the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for The Great Poochini and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for Just Stay Put, and Oy, Feh, So by Cary Fagan. He has also illustrated A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King and Stories from Adam and Eve to Ezekiel by Celia Barker Lottridge. He is the editorial cartoonist for the National Post, and his work has appeared in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Gary lives in Toronto where he regularly exhibits his drawings and paintings. |
| Written By |
|
JAMES GLADSTONE is an editor and author of books for children. He has also written the highly acclaimed picture book When Planet Earth Was New, illustrated by Katherine Diemert, and, most recently, Turtle Pond, illustrated by Karen Reczuch. James lives in Toronto. |
| Illustrated by |
|
GARY CLEMENT is an award-winning author and illustrator. He has won the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for The Great Poochini and was a finalist for the Governor General’s Award (Illustration) for Just Stay Put, and Oy, Feh, So by Cary Fagan. He has also illustrated A Coyote Solstice Tale by Thomas King and Stories from Adam and Eve to Ezekiel by Celia Barker Lottridge. He is the editorial cartoonist for the National Post, and his work has appeared in the New York Times and the Wall Street Journal. Gary lives in Toronto where he regularly exhibits his drawings and paintings. |
| Audience | ages 4 to 7 / grades K to 2 |
| Reading Levels |
Guided Reading N
Lexile AD940L Fountas & Pinnel Text Level N |
| Common Core |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.3 |
Commended, Globe 100 List, 2019
Short-listed, Elizabeth-Mrazik Cleaver Award, 2019
“A delicious, snow-filled slice of life.” —Kirkus Reviews
“This lovely tribute to urban wintertime is oversize, and Clement’s cheerful watercolor art takes full advantage. … Observant little ones can pore over these pages for a long time, noticing each well-observed detail of wintertime city life.” —New York Times
Gladstone … poetically speaks to the city’s snowy appearance … Clement’s illustrations are chockablock with urban details.
” —CM: Canadian Review of Materials