Book Review: Snow Bear {Piers Harper}

Is it ok to review a book about snow when it was 100 degree outside today?

That’s a rhetorical question.

We have had this book, Snow Bear, forever. Or at the very least since Nick was Madeline’s age.

Which is pretty much the same as forever.

An adorable story about a small bear that ventures off to explore the area on the first day of Spring. Eager to see the world after a long, cold Winter, he didn’t heed his Mama’s warning about staying close enough so she could see him. Along his journey, he meets various animals who all help him on his adventure. Soon he’s wandered far enough away from his Mama that he can’t quite find his way back.

As this is a soft-to-touch book, there are flocked spots on the animals throughout the book for your children to touch. The pictures are softly colored and beautifully illustrated, and the length of the book makes it the perfect story to read at bedtime. It’s a sweet story with, spoiler alert!, a happy ending and one that Madeline reaches for time and time again.

A few critics that didn’t care for it panned it because the bear looks so sweet and happy in the story, yet he’s lost. I don’t know about you, but I’m not planning on having my daughter get upset and freak out because the bear is panicked. I’d rather she see that he kept his cool and because he did (mostly because of naivete), it all worked out in the end. The book was also tagged for not having enough depth. Given the intended audience is 3-5 years old, while I definitely don’t want a book dumbed down for my children, it also needs to be a concept that they can easily grasp given their age.

Definitely perfect for the intended age group, and a nice addition to our collection.

Now … since it’s summer time, that means summer reading programs are underway. Whether your kids are nose-deep in books that are required reading for school, or you encourage them to read to keep ’em sharp, there are a number of summer reading incentives that might keep them more motivated. I know it definitely works for Nick! I’ve included a few of the more nationwide ones below. If you know of more, please feel free to share.

Barnes & Noble – Read 8 books and record the information. Bring in the completed form and receive a free book.

Chuck E. Cheese’s – Complete their Reading Rewards Calendar and bring it in to your local Chuck E. Cheese’s and you’ll get 10 free tokens.

Showcase Cinema – If you are near a participating Showcase Cinema, bring in a completed book report every Wednesday for free admission to specified movie.

TD Bank – Read 10 books and bring in your completed form to receive $10 deposited into a new or current Youth Saver account.

Pottery Barn Kids – For kids 10 and under, read the books on their specified list and bring in your completed form to get a free book.

Half Price Books – We used to love visiting this store when we visited my grandmother. If you’re lucky enough to live close to one of their locations, keep track of your reading and once you hit 300 minutes, they will give you a $5 gift card.

iVillage – Join their summer reading community challenge and receive tips and games to encourage your kids to read.

American Girl – free downloads, activity sheets, and reading events available.

PS Did you enter the Country Crock giveaway I recently ran? Comment #16 Tabathia B – you’re the winner! E-mail me (cate AT sweetnicks DOT com) to claim your prize asap.