Sunday, January 30, 2011

Snow Play; Birgitta Ralston


Title: Snow Play
Author: Birgitta Ralston
Publication Year: 2010
Publisher: Artisan
Edition: Hardcover
Source: Library
Date Completed: 1/29/2011
Setting: n/a
Rating: 5/5 stars
Recommend: Yes


Snow Play is a creative and fun book for adults and children (with the help of adults). Winter time and white stuff seem to go hand in hand for many of us, and this book just begs for us to get outdoors and have some fun enjoying the snow instead of complaining about it.

The projects are so awesome and every project, lists the: time frame to complete; level of difficulty, the type of snow project, the number of people needed, and tools needed.

There are (25) projects and games, such as: a snow cave, ice slide, snow castle, crystal bar, ice charms to hang from the trees, nature projects in ice, a snow frosted cake, glowing eye sculpture, mutated snowmen, pixel man, frozen critters, or an upside down man (my favorite).  Each project gives detailed instructions, and wonderful color photos of what the finished project should look like. These projects are not something that a small child could complete without adult assistance. Snow safety is also discussed, as some of these projects like a snow cave could be dangerous and should not be attempted alone.

In addition to the snow projects, the book includes several pages listing all Snow Festival locations, locales featuring snow and igloo hotels, both here in the US and abroad. Whatever you choose, you will likely find something perfect in this book that will entertain and please everyone.  HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

Here are a few of my favorite project photos:


16 comments:

  1. Love the pictures - those are some pretty nifty snow creations.

    But, you know, back in my day, you had to figure out how to make your own snow creations, you know, after you walked miles back and forth to school all uphill in snow up to your head. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. So jealous to see this..I KNOW all you guys in the snow want to hit me but in FL, we only wish for some of it! This is a lovely book and I wanted to stop by and thank you for commenting over at Cheryl's Sunday Shining Star! Isn't she a dear to do that?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Diane,

    If you like snow and ice sculptures, you would love the display that we see each year in Florida.

    It is held at the 'Gaylord Palms' hotel during November and December and features some exquisite ice carvings done by a team of carvers from Harbin, China and is a sight to behold.

    A full sized carving of the 'Nativity' is always the show stopper, with a giant sized ice slide as a finale for the children.

    Yvonne

    ReplyDelete
  4. This one is one I've been eyeing to buy for school. I think the kids will love it.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Megan, you are right about that -- same was true for me!

    Karen, I am jealous of you people in FL. I read that FL was the only state in the US that has not had snow this year. Even in inactive volcano in HI had some.

    Yvonne, I would love to see those ice carvings. Each winter in Newport, RI that have a winter festival with awesome carvings, but I bet it pales in comparison to what you mentioned.

    Tina, I bet kids and parents alike at your school would like this one.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is just the coolest book, and though I haven't been exposed to much snow in my life, I can imagine that with a book like this, I would have a lot of fun with the family! I love the little snow ghosts and the upside-down man! Great pick for this particular winter!

    ReplyDelete
  7. We're supposed to get yet more snow this week! I guess this book is one way to make if fun :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. This sounds awesome and I love that photo you included. I'm going to order this for my school library tomorrow!!!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Very cool pics (and a very timely review)!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love the one with the heart shape. Too bad we don't have any snow over here =)

    ReplyDelete
  11. Wow those photos are amazing! Now, if only I didn't live in California I could make one of those. Oh wait, the reason I live in Cali is because I hate living in the snow ;)

    ReplyDelete
  12. This looks like a great book. Obviously, Claire won't be ready for this for quite a while, but I'll keep it on my list for when she is older.

    ReplyDelete
  13. Those are great! The first thing I thought of when I saw the images were the crazy snowmen that Calvin makes in the Calvin and Hobbes comics.

    ReplyDelete
  14. What a GREAT idea for a book! I would have loved to have this book when my children were little, as I did not grow up with snow and had no idea how to do anything except make a snowball. Perhaps this would be a good book to have on hand once we become grandparents.

    ReplyDelete
  15. This looks like a book I MUST HAVE! Those photos are beyond cool!

    ReplyDelete
  16. Those photos are great. Too bad I live in sunny California and never see much snow!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for taking the time to visit and double thanks for any comments. If you ask a question in your comments, I will try to reply to it here, or by email if your settings allow me to do so. Thanks again for visiting.