TOYS MEET SNOW

Three toys make their way out into their first snow.

Lumphy (the stuffed buffalo) has so many questions about all that white; StingRay (the, um, stingray) and Plastic (the ball) offer up answers both fantastic and factual, respectively. When Lumphy asks, "I mean, what is a snowflake?" StingRay responds immediately, "A snowflake is a tiny ballerina," while Plastic asserts, "No, it's just really tiny frozen water....I read that, too." Plastic reads a lot. The wonderfully idiosyncratic trio works brilliantly together, playing with equally exciting imaginary and realistic hypotheses about snow, their unique personalities and intellectual strengths jiving all the while. Subdued illustrations with cool colors and rounded shapes evoke the comforting softness of a threadbare, beloved toy. Amusing vertical and horizontal paneled sequences show these toys working together fervently: opening a door, building a snowman, discerning a snow-laden tree and a strawberry sunset. Children come away seeing the value, pleasure, and benefits of different outlooks and sensibilities. They also see that questions, elaborate, unusual answers, and unearthed facts can cohere into one swirling, whirling, dazzling snowstorm of discovery.

Snow never left you feeling warmer inside.