Reading Rockets Reading List: Snow

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 Let It Snow

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

When the winter settles on Saranac Lake in New York state, the community comes together to prepare for the winter carnival. A ten-year old girl narrates this fictionalized account of the annual two-week celebration that she and her father help plan and her uncle (as well as other prisoners from a nearby correctional facility) help build. Highly realistic, full color watercolors depict the excitement and activity, which is further explained in an endnote.

Snow

By: Uri Shulevitz

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

No one except a small boy thinks the few falling snowflakes will amount to much. As the snow continues to fall, however, the dull, gray town becomes transformed into a winter wonderland, and all of its residents come out to enjoy. The wonder of it all is captured through dynamic illustrations and understated text.

Snow Is Falling

By: Franklyn Branley, Holly Keller

Illustrated by: Holly Keller, Franklyn Branley

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Snow is magical and beautiful and sometimes even dangerous. Through both observation and experimentation, this book introduces the many aspects of snow through crisp text and appealing illustrations that are sure to engage, inform, and inspire younger children. 

Tracks in the Snow

By: Wong Yee

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

A child follows animal tracks in the snow, wondering aloud "Who made the tracks?/Where do they go?" Gentle illustrations depict the child's walk across a snowy landscape while animals watch from afar. Only upon returning home is it revealed that the tracks were made yesterday when the child was "Out playing in the snow!"

You Can Do It, Sam

By: Amy Hest, Anita Jeram

Illustrated by: Anita Jeram

Age Level: 3-6

Reading Level: Beginning Reader

On a snowy winter morning, Sam and his mom bake cakes to surprise their friends in the neighborhood. Sam delivers them all by himself – with a little encouragement from Mrs. Bear as she waits in their pick-up truck. Their morning adventure ends back home with a cake and a cup of hot cocoa for both Mrs. Bear and Sam. This reassuring story is told in gentle, engaging language supported by appealing illustrations that evoke the frosty weather.

Snow Music

By: Lynne Rae Perkins

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

The whisper of snow and the jingle of dog tags set a wintery tone in this story of a boy and his friend in search of his lost dog on a snowy day. Music is everywhere in the rhythm of the language and patterns of the illustration in this unusual and memorable book.


Ice Palace

By: Deborah Blumenthal, Ted Rand

By: Jacqueline Martin, Mary Azarian

Illustrated by: Mary Azarian

Age Level: 6-9 

The Polar Express

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. This holiday classic earned a Caldecott Medal.

Snowflake Bentley

By: Jacqueline Martin, Mary Azarian

Illustrated by: Mary Azarian

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

Strong line and narrative combine in this picture book biography of the Vermonter who figured out how to photograph real snowflakes. Dramatic illustrations won a Caldecott Medal. 

The Polar Express

By: Chris Van Allsburg

Illustrated by: Chris Van Allsburg

Age Level: 6-9

Reading Level: Independent Reader

A magical train ride on Christmas Eve takes a boy to the North Pole to receive a special gift from Santa Claus. This holiday classic earned a Caldecott Medal.