Before I tell you about my choice of Picture Book I have to review today, let me first tell you what is so special about today. Perfect Picture Book is the brainchild of one of our dearest online writing colleagues, Susanna Hill. I can’t exactly recall when I first came across Susanna, I only know it feels like I have known her forever. We have had some fun over the years, I have enjoyed watching her go from strength to strength in her writing endeavours and applaud her stamina, her sense of humour and her creative ideas. You never know what she is going to come up with next. That’s why you have to keep an eye on her website at all times. She also has a healthy love of all things chocolate which can be quite contagious, so don’t say you haven’t been warned. However, she can be forgiven and all those who know her in letting their hair down and feast on chocolate today as it is the 100th Picture Book posting week Birthday for her baby; Perfect Picture Book Friday! So let’s celebrate….
Now on with the rest of the show…..
Jolly Snow
Written and Illustrated by: Jane Hissey
First Published by: Scribbles, division of Book House and again by: Philomel (October 31, 1991)
Age: 3 to 6 years
Theme: Imagination, creative, snow, wonder, fun
Opening Lines: It was cold and grey outside. Jolly Tall, the giraffe, was gazing out of the window.
“Are you waiting for something?” asked Rabbit.
Synopsis: Jolly Tall can’t wait to see snowflakes for the very first time, but as it’s not chilly enough outside for real snow, Old Bear and his friends decide to show Jolly the magic of a white winter – with indoor snow! From paper cut-out snow to riding a cardboard sleigh down a white sheet into a pile of pillows that burst forth with feather-like snow, they come up with their own creative ideas. Until real snow arrives!
Why I like this: This is a beautiful story to cuddle up with on a winter’s night and is one of a series that Jane has both written and illustrated in pencil colours of reds and gold’s to give it that old world charm. A classic in its’ own right young ones will imagine if this is what their cuddly toys get up to when left alone. I could understand Jolly Tall’s wistful wonder looking out at a grey sky, at ever seeing “real” snow, as I live in a city that never gets it. I once, as a child, imagined confetti as snow, and played with dolls in a sand box imagining it was snow. This suited our time of year (being now winter) and it would also make a great Christmas gift idea.
Resources/Findings: Here is a Television Animated version of her story…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KuRUSV4Lbjw
I loved the idea in the story of making paper snowflakes and these would be a great idea for children to do around Christmas time and hang on the class Christmas tree or for their tree at home.
I also loved the idea of making things out of cardboard such as the sleigh. Here’s another idea to make out of cardboard with all the instructions… http://mollymoocrafts.com/make-it-more-piratey-mom/
Here is another wonderful website with great cardboard ideas…. http://coolmompicks.com/blog/2014/01/04/diy-toys-cardboard-boxes/
Pop over and visit the lovely author, Susanna Leonard Hill’s blog and find the tab for Perfect Picture Books. Her blog is full of resources links and activities associated with books reviewed by many authors.
Writer and Dreamer at work 
Happy “100th” Birthday to Perfect Picture Book Friday. It can’t possibly be 100 years??
Oops, thanks for pointing out, Darlene, I forgot to insert 100th Picture Book posting week. Actually it was last week but we are all celebrating this week. Every year she closes its doors for the summer and then opens again in the fall. I so look forward to it. Thank you for being here to help celebrate. Have a great weekend, Darlene.
Lovely words about Susanna! She’s great! What a perfect snowy book for you in winter, and I can only imagine snow now sitting in hot weather.
Oooh lucky you enjoying the hot weather…. I love hot weather. Thank you Tina for your lovely comment.
Yes, you are entering your winter in down under. Since your don’t see snow, this is a perfect pick. Very entertaining and imaginative book. Also enjoyed your lovely comments about Susanna.
Yes the nights are long and dark. Only two weeks away from the shortest day and then we can look forward to summer again… Can’t wait! This is a cute story, glad you like it. Thank you for your lovely comment, Pat.
Poor you. Sand is NOT a good substitute for snow – hard on the eyes and no fun to catch on the tongue! (Visit PA next Jan, I’ll turn down the spare bed for you) A great story premise.
LOL…. *rolls on floor laughing* No sand was definitely not much fun in the eyes. (Thank you for your kind invitation… Oh I soooo wish. Maybe if one day I have a book signing your way I may just take you up on it ;)) (ever hopeful) Thank you heaps, Wendy!
This sounds like a wonderful book! 🙂
Thank you Erik. It is.
Like Tina, I’m sweating over here in Singapore and the only way I could explain snow to my 3-year old came from the movie Frozen! But this book may be another way 🙂
Oh my Emily I would love some of that heat right now. I have yet to see that movie Frozen. Sounds lovely.
We once had a pup named Jolly who became a working guide dog! So I’m attracted to Jolly Tall! We don’t get much snow around here. It’s hard for me to imagine you folks down there being in winter. I’ll have to check out this book! Thanks for sharing!
Yep its winter alright. Now the shortest day has passed it gets worse before the Spring comes. Can’t wait for Spring. Glad you love the book.