A Day in My Studio While Working on Snow...

written by Cynthia Rylant

published by Harcourt, 2008

ISBN 978-0-15-205303-1

Cynthia Rylant’s lyrical descriptions of the sights and feelings evoked by falling snow blend gorgeously with the rich and beautiful world created by Lauren Stringer’s illustrations, in which a young girl, her friend, and her grandmother enjoy the many things a snowy day has to offer.

Soft snow.

Heavy snow.

Light snow.

Fat snow.

Which one do you love best?

From the beginning, I imagined this book painted with blues-- cool blues. I bought as many different tubes of blue paint as I could afford and began experimenting with different shades of blue and the emotions their color brought to the story. I studied snowflakes and made many studies of single flakes. Since snowflakes are unique, meaning you will never find twin snowflakes, I did my best to honor the wonder of snow by painting unique snowflakes throughout the book.

A Little Bit About...

How I Came to Illustrate Snow:

When I first read the manuscript for Snow, I loved Cynthia’s poetic text and the possibilities it opened up for painting the experience of different kinds of snow.

In the text there is a particular line that resonated strongly with me: And the snow is here to remind us that nothing lasts forever except memories. This line became the decisive moment in the story where considerations for all of the illustrations were resolved.

I knew I would be painting a book filled with memories, that would hopefully trigger memories and familiar feelings in the reader. A white china cat from my childhood, a favorite dog toy of my daughter’s, photos of my mother as a little girl, marbles I have collected over the years, a watch belonging to my father, a shell my mother had found and cherished; all are included as familiar objects to stir the memories and emotions of the reader. The main character in the story is snow, however I introduce a grandma and her grand-daughter on the title page to help carry the story of snow throughout the book.

1. ★ Snow is not an uncommon subject of picture books, but few have both the grace and exuberance of this lovely collaboration... the artwork, whether large-size pictures of children at play, cozy household vignettes, or double-paged spreads so packed with snow readers will want to reach in and make a snowball, is full of joy.                                                                                       
   

                                               --Booklist (starred)

1. •In any good picture book, words and pictures complement each other... Rarely do they resonate together as effectively as they do here. Stringer’s illustrations... excel in their use of color, accurately pinning down every mood... Beautifully paced the slow darkening that leads to a nocturnal snowfall, but not before an impressive set piece... in which the whole world glows sunset-pink except for its cerulean shadows. It’s awesome, in the sense that it evokes awe.
   

                                         --New York Times Book Review

1. •A single snowflake on a midnight-blue marbled background ushers readers into this quiet celebration of snow...In brief, lyrical text, Rylant... urges readers to savor the phenomenon, for it remains only briefly. Stringer’s acrylic paintings... display a world of snow-filled wonders. This is a gentle gem.
   

                                              --School Library Journal

1. •...the Newbery Medalist delivers, her words drifting and blowing and coming ‘round to the children who “love the snow better than anyone else does”... Stringer’s illustrations are distinguished by lush, pillowy lines,... and center the narrative on a child and her grandmother in sync with the snow.
   

                                               --Kirkus Reviews