Holiday picture book Archives -

Picture Book Review – Snow Horses: A First Night Story

SNOW HORSES:
A FIRST NIGHT STORY

Written by Patricia MacLachlan

Illustrated by Micha Archer

(Margaret K. McElderry Books; $18.99, Ages 4-8)

★Starred Reviews – Booklist, Kirkus, Publishers Weekly

Visit an enchanting snow-covered country town in Snow Horses: A First Night Story written by late Newberry Medal-winning author, Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Caldecott Honor-winning artist, Micha Archer but be sure to have a hot drink at hand while cozy under a blanket.

Snow Horses int1 snowy country landscape — Interior spread from Snow Horses: A First Night Story written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Micha Archer, Margaret K. McElderry Books ©2022.

As you turn the pages you’ll be treated to MacLachlan’s lyrical prose that set an anticipatory tone for the once-a-year celebration of First Night on December 31st. This lovely non-religious but spirited holiday is an inclusive one where communities come together outdoors to joyfully ring in the new year. In this gently flowing 40-paged picture book, a young girl, Jenny, hitches her two midnight black Percheron horses, Tim and Tom, to the lighted sleigh then heads off to pick up young friends and neighbors.

The mood is a happy one as evidenced in the cheerful artwork “rendered in collage with homemade papers and inks.” Archer’s doily-covered trees and mesh drapes are fantastic as are the lamplights glowing!

Snow Horses int2 sheep horses inside barn — Interior art from Snow Horses: A First Night Story written by Patricia MacLachlan and illustrated by Micha Archer, Margaret K. McElderry Books ©2022.

Early on a “little golden dog” starts to run alongside the happy horses—”They love the snow. They love their work” —and it continues to stick close by the entire journey.

Each new scene brings the sleigh to new people and places like a thread weaving all the characters of the story together, creating a community quilt. Tom and Tim gather up grandmothers and grandfathers, aunts and uncles at the seniors’ home for a ride full of heart that takes them back in time to their youth. And when the night’s festivities end, everyone heads home to sleep, filled with the joy of the evening’s celebration and the promise of a bright new year upon waking. Remember to remove the dust cover to reveal the beautiful second design below.

Reviewed by Ronna Mandel

Winter Candle by Jeron Ashford

November 21, 2014
goodreadswithronna
Ages 4 and up, Children's Book Reviews, Culture and Customs, Holidays & Celebrations, Juvenile Fiction

WINTER CANDLE

Written by Jeron Ashford

Illustrated by Stacey Schuett

(Creston Books, 2014. $16.95, Ages 4-11)

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“What do you do when your celebration needs a candle, but yours are all gone?”

Winter Candle cover

Nana Clover needs a candle for her Thanksgiving meal. The Danziger family forgot to get a havdalah candle. The fifth candle on Kirsten’s St. Lucia crown broke. Donte’s baby brother, Jamila cheerfully eats the Faith candle for the Kwanzaa kinara. How will Faruq and Nasreen’s father find their new apartment during a power outage?

A ” … bumpy, drooping candle” is passed from one neighbor to the next in a close-knit and supportive apartment community. At first, the candle is seen as quite ugly. Kirsten worries that everyone will laugh at her if she uses it in her crown. Donte wonders how his family will be able to “… talk about faith with that sorry thing…” The Danziger children complain that it is not braided and only has one wick. Grandpa Danziger, hushing his grandchildren, tells them ” … a candle is blessed by what it does, not by how it looks. It’ll shine.”

Sure enough, when lit, the “frumpy” little candle glows more brightly and seems to last longer than other candles. All the celebrations go through without a hitch. Nasreen and Faruq are able to use it to guide their father to their new apartment where all the neighbors have gathered to welcome the family.

A lovely and heartwarming story for the holidays (and every day) about sharing, caring, and supporting others’ needs and traditions.

Schuett’s rich illustrations glow as warmly and as brightly as the story’s candle.

Author Ashford concludes with a brief note about the holidays mentioned in her story.

Visit Creston Books to read more about the publisher and its books. This story has many wonderful curriculum connections: research, writing, crafts, and more. Please see the excellent curriculum and activity guide the publisher created for this book.