Happy Perfect Picture Book Friday, Everyone!
Oh my goodness do I have a beauty for you today!
I read a lot of picture books.
Many of them are excellent.
But every now and again I read one that is just so perfect, so magically written and illustrated, that it takes my breath away and makes me whisper to myself, “Man! I wish I’d written that!”
Today’s selection is one of those 😊
My Perfect Picture Book today is all about that most coveted of childhood days – the peaceful, happy, special perfection of snow days 😊
Title: Before Morning
Written By: Joyce Sidman
Illustrated By: Beth Krommes
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, October 4 2016, fiction
Suitable For Ages: 4-7
Themes/Topics: seasons (winter), snow, snow days, invocations, language fun (rhyme, word choice)
Opening: “In the deep woolen dark, as we slumber unknowing, let the sky fill with flurry and flight.” (These few words actually cover 5 spreads, some of which are wordless.)
Brief Synopsis: Although there is much going on in the busy, busy world, a small child wishes for just one day to be a delightfully snow-covered pause.
Links To Resources: the final page of the book explains invocations and invites young readers to come up with their own; make paper snowflakes; snow recipes; make your own snow!
Why I Like This Book: Oh my goodness! What’s not to love? This book is beautiful in every way! The rhyming text is written by Joyce Sidman (you know what a huge fan I am of Red Sings From Treetops!) and it is gorgeous and poetic and spare. How can you not love a book that begins “In the deep woolen dark”?! 😊 The entire book is 66 words, so expertly chosen and crafted together that as a writer I can only feel awe. And the art is scratchboard and watercolor, exquisitely done, showing the little girl’s hopes that while she sleeps the world will turn white, allowing for a hushed, snow-covered morning that keeps her family home for a leisurely breakfast, some extra time together, the chance to go sledding and make snow angels, and come home to dry wet mittens. It is everything we all love about snow days, and every child’s prayer for one to come to their house!
I hope you enjoy it as much as I do 😊
For the complete list of books with resources, please visit Perfect Picture Books.
PPBF folks, please add your titles and post-specific links (and any other info you feel like filling out 😊 ) to the form below so we can all come see what fabulous picture books you’ve chosen to share this week!
Have a wonderful weekend, everyone!!! 😊
Susanna Leonard Hill 
What a glorious book…with the color palette that I’ve seen before in Joyce’s books. The art makes me want to lose myself in the pages. Thanks for sharing this one, Susanna.
I love this book and it is perfect for the winter weather so many are having. Sucj a beautifully poetic book.
Susanna, I bet you’d also love Sidman’s SWIRL BY SWIRL. Very similar in style, poetry, and look 🙂
Ooh! I haven’t read that one! I will find it!
You won’t be sorry 🙂
Love the whole book; illustrations and wording. Thank You
I love Joyce Sidman and have read this beautiful and quiet book! It’s perfect for this time of year when kids wake up to a world of snowy wonder. Gorgeous illustrations! Reminds me of my childhood.
I think I love pretty much anything Joyce Sidman writes. Her work is so lyrical, and this is a beautiful book!
One of my favorite picture books–once upon a time I counted the words, too, and was amazed at all those words inspired.
I love Joyce Sidman’s books – and Beth Krommes’s lovely artwork. The snowflakes are gorgeous!
I adore Beth’s work but I haven’t seen this one – thanks for the recommendation!
Thanks, Susanna! I have to add this treasure to my “collection”! 🙂
So inspiring! One that will always stay on my bookshelf and then get passed down.