By Grace Lin
Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2019
Picture book, 40 pages, ages 4-8
When winter began, Little Snow’s mommy made a big new bed just for him.
“Now you have warm feathers to sleep on,” Mommy said… “Remember, Little Snow, this bed is for sleeping, not jumping.”
But the bed is so puffy and big and bouncy. And even after repeated warnings, mischievous Little Snow can’t resist jumping and jumping and jumping. Each time, tiny feathers flutter down. When the inevitable happens, Little Snow must answer to Mommy … and wait till next winter.
A gentle fable about an impish boy and the joy of snow.
A companion to A Big Mooncake for Little Star, this story is just as wonderful. Featuring a little boy and his mom this time around, it feels like a modern-day Asian-American folk tale. The author-illustrator, Grace Lin, said that this is the book she wanted to read as a kid, and is her homage to The Snowy Day. While the similarities are there (we even see her version of Peter in an apartment window), A Big Bed for Little Snow is its own brilliant ode to first snows and the wonder of childhood.
As much as I appreciate the mastery of her understated text, I am in love with Grace Lin’s illustrations. The limited palette, predominantly gray-blue and white, and minimalistic design help tell the story and keep all the focus on Little Snow. He is the star of this book, and you can’t help but fall in love with him, and this is all because of the way his personality shines in the artwork.
Little Snow is a boy that Asian American kids can identify with and all kids can relate to. After all, what kid can resist the forbidden lure of jumping on the bed? Highly recommended for all readers.
A Big Bed for Little Snow by Grace Lin receives 5 stars from this reviewer.