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Counting books need to have special qualities these days to stand out among all of the counting books already available. This one does. How? Through unusual, textured illustrations, rhythmic poetry, and fabulous word choices.
ONE red fox walks
across the white snow
quietly
stalking winter.
There’s a number, an animal, and an action in the first line. The second line adds context. The third line highlights a single adverb that zooms in closer to modify the detailed action in the last line.
Here’s the next spread.
TWO ravens croak and gurgle
cutting the sounds out of forty below
raucously
talking winter.
I am smitten! “Croak and gurgle” are brilliant verbs. And the additional description “cutting the sounds out of forty below” evokes how sound slices through the air at such low temperatures. Then the purposeful addition of the adverb “raucously” to modify “talking winter,” well….I told you. I am SMITTEN!
The numbers continue until “12 excited children slip and slide on melting ice,” a harbinger for spring. It’s followed by a wordless spread depicting a winter wonderland where all of the people and animals frolic in the snow. Glorious!
Back matter includes brief profiles of the animals featured in the book, and author and illustrator notes. The animals depicted in the book reflect the author’s 18 years spent living in Alaska. The illustrator describes her winter experiences and then explains how she made the white scratchboard illustrations, using watercolors to shade them.
I would definitely use this as a counting book, BUT I would also use it as an instructional guide for older children to write their own seasonal poems, using the repeated structure described above.
Activities:
Write seasonal poems using the structured poems in the book as examples.
Make a forest poster and populate it with origami animals. (fox, raven, hare, squirrel, eagle, owl)
Make your own scratchboard art, using this video as a guide.
Title: Counting Winter
Author: Nancy White Carlstrom
Illustrator: Claudia McGehee
Publisher: Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, 2024
Ages: PreK-Elementary school
Themes: winter, animals, counting
For more perfect picture book recommendations, please visit Susanna Hill’s website.
This is going on the TBR list! Gorgeous! Thank you, for sharing this book and for a wonderful review and activities!!!
Thank you, Mona! I remember making scratchboards in art at my middle school. It was really cool to see the colors released by each scratch.
I’m fascinated by the scratch board illustrations…they are so cool! Sounds like a sweet and lovely book.
Maybe you’ll give the art a try? Have you also seen Beth Krommes’ scratchboard art for BEFORE MORNING by Joyce Sidman? It’s a beautiful book, too. Scratchboard is a perfect match for snow-filled winter books.
Yes, I have seen that book! I was wondering if it was the same illustrator (but I couldn’t remember and hadn’t looked it up). 🙂
Wow. This looks like a spectacular book. I just ordered it from my library, and I can’t wait to read it. Thanks so much for bringing it to my attention.
It truly is gorgeous. Enjoy!
I love Claudia’s work! Thanks for the rec!
My pleasure!
I am smitten with this book, too. If I saw it in a bookshop or the library, my hand would instantly reach out to take a closer look at this treasure. The illustrations are FANTASTIC! Thank you for sharing this beautiful book.
It is quite striking, isn’t it? I’m so glad you love it, too!
Adding this to my must-buy-for-the-grandkids list. Looks fabulous! And a great review!
Yay!! I think they’ll love it! Thank you!
Hi Jilanne, This sounds like an awesome book! I love the lyrical lines, and the word choice such as “raucously talking winter” are incredible!
Gloria
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It is! Your poet’s heart will find much to appreciate here. Happy Holidays!