DANNY’S FIRST SNOW

An appealing little rabbit named Danny experiences his first snowfall in this delightfully original view of a youngster’s introduction to a snow-covered world. When Danny takes his sled outside to play in the snow, he thinks the familiar trees and bushes around his house have been replaced by fluffy, white animals. He plays leapfrog over the snowy shapes, moving gradually into the forest, where the taller trees begin to look like scary wolves. Running back toward home, Danny rides his sled down a snow bank that looks like a sleeping elephant, back to the welcoming sight of his mother waiting in the doorway of his own cozy cottage. Gore’s soft-focus illustrations in acrylic and pastels have a dreamy, impressionistic quality that enhances the snowy scenes, and his cover illustration of the charming bunny boy sticking out his tongue to catch a snowflake captures an enchanting moment of childhood discovery. Preschoolers will delight in Danny’s misinterpretation of the snow-covered trees and bushes, especially the “wolves,” skillfully creating just the right level of dramatic tension. The simple, well-written text, original plot and perceptive illustrations make Danny’s story a treat for wintry story times. (Picture book. 2-5)