
dark broken by light
snow day, but no sleeping in
time to wander, breathe
breathe by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley
by Angie 2 Comments

dark broken by light
snow day, but no sleeping in
time to wander, breathe
breathe by Angie Quantrell
Yakima Valley

Happy Birthday Winter
Words by Justin Ogden
Pictures by David Condry
Justin Ogden & David Condry, 2020
I was recently gifted a copy of Happy Birthday Winter from Sylvia Liu, Elaine Kiely Kearns, and KidLit411 at http://www.kidlit411.com/2020/12/the-weekly-411-121120.html. Thank you!
Have you ever imagined having a birthday party for Winter? This delightful picture book shares the story of a young girl and her father who celebrate a very special day with Winter-the very first snowfall of the year. This easy read is just what young children need as they prepare to enjoy winter snow.
Why I Liked This Book:
~ snow and winter!
~ simple text sharing the story of a special day between a daddy and daughter
~ beautiful, colorful illustrations that make me want to join the party!
~ winter activities are highlighted as the characters enjoy the birthday party
~ easy to hold size for young hands
~ fascinating “snowflake” backmatter
~ the evident love of nature and the outdoors seen in the book
Thank you, Justin and David!
Blurb from KidLit411:
About the Book: Happy Birthday Winter aims to bring joy and curiosity to the changing of the seasons. As the world in which the characters live changes from Fall to Winter, the characters embark on a journey to continue a tradition of celebration to welcome the Winter Season.
Read more about Happy Birthday Winter at https://happybdaywinter.wixsite.com/happybdaywinter

The title MAY be a bit of an exaggeration. But welcome to the winter that keeps on giving.
Congratulations! You are enjoying the longest February on record. Technically February is the shortest month of the year, in days, but not in the long drawn-out days of snow-ice-locked cold.

It’s snowing as I type. Skies are heavy gray with a peep of pink along the eastern edge. The landscape is white with bits of black edging from homes, red from the stop sign, and gray-brown from fence posts. White is the dominant theme this winter. Our water resources are sure to be full and overflowing this summer. For that, I am thankful.
I love snow! Really, I do. But. As March edges closer, my thoughts turn to green and bits of yellow and floaty blossoms on trees. Where are you spri-ng? Why can’t I find you? (In my head that sounds like Cindy Lou Who singing “Where Are You Christmas?”)

But today. We have snow. How about one more snow day’s worth of pictures? Come July and the season of sweat, I will bemoan the lack of lacy white.

Celebrate the snow with children everywhere who pray for snow days, late starts, snow play, and hot cocoa.

In our area of the northwest, we often have winter snow days or late start days when the roads are slick early in the morning. Just recently, an overnight heavy wet cold snow fell, causing slippery roads and perfect conditions for a late start (for school to start). It’s only 2 hours late, but one can have plenty of fun in those 120 minutes.

First up was sledding down the pasture hill. The 5 grands did a wonderful job sharing one sled, pairing up with each other and racing to see who could travel the longest distance down the slope.

Once the proper bright red noses and cheeks were acquired, we trooped inside for a snow day tea party, all ages included. This was not the traditional apres snow play hot cocoa and cookies, as both Nana and mommy (Auntie) were fresh out of hot chocolate mix. This was find what’s in the pantry and enjoy it to the fullest. So tea it was.

Tiny tea cups, spoons, saucers, and tea pots were filled with tepid herbal tea. Honey dripped stickily into cups and was stirred in. Spills were mopped up with place mats and towels, and peanuts stood in for tea cakes. For one young girl, those tea cake peanuts tasted marvelous when they were soaked in tea and scooped out with a spoon.

A fun time was had by all. Pinkies up for the next snow day late start!

Once the 3 older grands went to late school, the 2 younger ones had another type of snow day.
