SNOW DAY!

Snow Day! Were there ever two more beautiful words in the English language? In a text both straightforward and poetic, Joosse (The Morning Chair, p. 559, etc.) depicts a family's simple enjoyment of an unexpected day off from school and work. Robby and his dog, Zippy, are up first. He wakes up sister Louise and they listen to the official radio announcement. Excited, they go to older sister Heather who grumpily stays in bed. After a snowy breakfast of powdered sugar on white bread, Robby and Zippy make snow angels with Louise, their father shovels, and eventually the whole family joins in a snow fight. The special day ends with them all wrapped in blankets by the fire. Plecas excels with sweet, kid- pleasing illustrations in a lively mix of watercolor, pastel, and gouache. The exteriors feature drifts of snow; many-shaded blue skies are filled with fat dancing snowflakes. This Snow Day! is as welcome as a cup of hot cocoa topped with marshmallows. (Picture book. 4-8)