Can a long-forgotten song bring the snow back to Freya’s town? A lyrical fable from award-winning creators Jon-Erik Lappano and Byron Eggenschwiler.
Freya has always loved the snow and the way it covers everything like powdered sugar. But the snow hasn’t come to her town for two winters, and she’s starting to forget what it looks and feels like. When will it be cold? When will it snow again?
One day Freya finds a snow globe at the market. It plays the melody of a song that the townspeople sang for generations to call the snow home. Freya’s own grandmother used to sing it to her mother on cold winter nights. Every morning, Freya takes the snow globe outside and sings the song, but still there is no snow … until she has the idea to share the song. Soon everyone in town is singing it, and then, early one morning, the winds change.
Jon-Erik Lappano and Byron Eggenschwiler have created an eloquent fable about remembering past traditions, our connection to nature and caring for a world threatened by climate change through shared effort and hope.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
Use illustrations and details in a story to describe its characters, setting, or events.
Can a long-forgotten song bring the snow back to Freya’s town? A lyrical fable from award-winning creators Jon-Erik Lappano and Byron Eggenschwiler.
Freya has always loved the snow and the way it covers everything like powdered sugar. But the snow hasn’t come to her town for two winters, and she’s starting to forget what it looks and feels like. When will it be cold? When will it snow again?
One day Freya finds a snow globe at the market. It plays the melody of a song that the townspeople sang for generations to call the snow home. Freya’s own grandmother used to sing it to her mother on cold winter nights. Every morning, Freya takes the snow globe outside and sings the song, but still there is no snow … until she has the idea to share the song. Soon everyone in town is singing it, and then, early one morning, the winds change.
Jon-Erik Lappano and Byron Eggenschwiler have created an eloquent fable about remembering past traditions, our connection to nature and caring for a world threatened by climate change through shared effort and hope.
Correlates to the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts:
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1
With prompting and support, ask and answer questions about key details in a text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2
Retell stories, including key details, and demonstrate understanding of their central message or lesson.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4
Identify words and phrases in stories or poems that suggest feelings or appeal to the senses.
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, 2021 |
| Specifications | 44 pages | 8.5 in x 9.625 in |
| Keywords | climate change; global warming; environmentalism; changing world; neighborhood and community; inspiring stories; music; magic; wonder; changing seasons; perseverance; respect for environment; figurative language; simile; imagery; third person narration; determining importance; predicting; questioning; Key Ideas and Details; Craft and Structure; Integration of Knowledge and Ideas; kindergarten; grade 1; picture book; beautiful illustrations; |
| Written By |
JON-ERIK LAPPANO’s debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor General’s Literary Award and was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award and Japan’s Sakura Medal. He has also written Maggie’s Treasure, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, to wide acclaim, and Song for the Snow, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Jon-Erik lives in Stratford, Ontario, with his family. |
| Illustrated by |
BYRON EGGENSCHWILER is an award-winning illustrator whose recent books include The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, Operatic by Kyo Maclear (starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal and Quill & Quire), Coyote Tales by Thomas King and Beastly Puzzles by Rachel Poliquin (starred review from School Library Journal). Byron's work has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Walrus, GQ and O, The Oprah Magazine. He lives in Calgary, Alberta. |
| Written By |
|
JON-ERIK LAPPANO’s debut picture book, Tokyo Digs a Garden, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, won the Governor General’s Literary Award and was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award, the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award and Japan’s Sakura Medal. He has also written Maggie’s Treasure, illustrated by Kellen Hatanaka, to wide acclaim, and Song for the Snow, illustrated by Byron Eggenschwiler. Jon-Erik lives in Stratford, Ontario, with his family. |
| Illustrated by |
|
BYRON EGGENSCHWILER is an award-winning illustrator whose recent books include The Little Ghost Who Was a Quilt by Riel Nason, Operatic by Kyo Maclear (starred reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal and Quill & Quire), Coyote Tales by Thomas King and Beastly Puzzles by Rachel Poliquin (starred review from School Library Journal). Byron's work has also appeared in the New Yorker, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Walrus, GQ and O, The Oprah Magazine. He lives in Calgary, Alberta. |
| Audience | ages 3 to 6 / grades P to 1 |
| Reading Levels |
Guided Reading N
Fountas & Pinnel Text Level N |
| Common Core |
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.7
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.4 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.K.1 CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RL.1.2 |
Commended, Canadian Children’s Book Centre, Best Books for Kids and Teens, 2022
Eggenschwiler’s artwork matches the gentle and magical telling of the story.
” —Kirkus ReviewsQuietly charming.
” —CM Review of MaterialsSubtle and enchanting.
” —Quill & QuireA very special read for young children.
” —Winnipeg Free PressFilled with gorgeous illustrations this book reminds us of the beauty of our world and the importance of tradition.
” —Calgary HeraldSong for the Snow is a lovely push for children to do what they can to make the world the one they want.
” —CanLit for LittleCanadians BlogA moving tale.
” —Vancouver Writers FestA hopeful allegory about how one child can bring about positive change for a better future.
” —Canadian Children’s Book News