I Wish It Would Snow!

September 1, 2018
A bunny expresses the feelings of so many in temperate climates: They wish for snow when there's none and none when there's lots.A brown rabbit in a red turtleneck sweater frolics in the woods. Alternating double-page spreads and vignette illustrations express both changing emotions and the turn of the season as the bunny goes from having a blast in the falling leaves to forlornly sitting under a tree, thinking, "I wish it would snow." Emotions go from wishing to pleading to pitching a foot-stomping, throw-themselves-to-the-ground fit until a white swirl takes over the purplish-blue sky. The rabbit's joy lasts only two spreads before the wished-for snow becomes too much snow. There's then a repeat of the wishing and pleading. But the next morning reveals a winter wonderland for friends, sleds, and skis--before the ending finds bunny and sled on the verge of spring. Adult readers will easily see a message here about satisfaction and contentment with the present. But for young readers, the rabbit's fickleness is a mirror, and the exuberant characterization, easy-to-read expressions, and limited text make it just right for their short attention spans. Dillard's digital illustrations are brilliantly colored and a snap to parse. Sharp-eyed readers will enjoy watching the body language of a purple bird as the bunny expresses their wishes (until the snow sets in and they presumably fly south).This acts as both a mirror and a subtle prompt to enjoy the moment. (Picture book. 3-8)

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October 8, 2018
A bunny in a woolly red sweater revels in the beauty and leafiness of autumn. But when the leaves finally carpet the forest floor in gold and orange—Dillard (Extraordinary Warren) draws every one of them individually to give a sense of how quickly abundance turns into excess—the rabbit is filled with fall ennui. “I need it to snow!” it says, throwing itself around in what looks very much like a tantrum. And the snow arrives. But the pretty swirling white dots soon blot out the wintry lavender sky, and the weather goes from catch-a flake-on-the-tip-of-the-tongue fun to bowl-one-over blizzardy (“When will it stop?”). Sledding with friends offers a momentary respite, but by then, spring is already on its way. Here we go again: “I wish it would snow,” the rabbit thinks anew, sneezing on the fresh flowers. Dillard’s array of compositional styles includes comics-like panels and an almost vertiginous high-angle view. And though magical thinking sometimes collides with the forces of nature, Dillard wisely chooses to give her protagonist a skewed resilience that’s both funny and absurdly admirable. For this rabbit, tomorrow’s always another day for yearning—and kvetching. Ages 4–8. Agent: Lori Nowicki, Painted Words.