SNOW SISTERS!

Two sisters who could not be more unalike in personality enjoy a snowy day in different ways.

Except for the final page, Kokias’ clever text reads the same backward and forward, following the two white girls through their day. The redheaded sister is thrilled with the snow outside and rushes to put on outdoor gear. Meanwhile, the brunette settles in to read with hot cocoa and a blanket. While the redhead throws snowballs and tracks animals, her sister bakes, makes paper snowflakes, and engages in pretend play. But then: “Cold. Wet. Brrr.” The two sisters cross paths in the center of the book as they switch places and activities, and with the redhead inside, an obvious difference between the two becomes even clearer: the brunette is neat, the redhead messy. The focus remains on the sisters and their fun, though their redheaded father and brunette mother do appear in the baking scenes in the kitchen. The softly colored gouache-and-watercolor illustrations are chock-full of ideas for fun on a snowy day, whether inside or outside. The final page shows the two at last enjoying time together as “Snow sisters!” The girls’ expressions are a bit one-note, and children may find it easier to identify with the exuberant redhead than the nearly flawless brunette.

A nice addition to sibling shelves that shows that fun can also be had apart.