"Why is the Snow White?" -Heinz Janisch

It sounded like a beautiful book (and had the "new book" smell) so I picked it up...

A father tells his daughter a fairy tale: Father Snow travels around to each plant and flower looking for something to donate it's colors to the snow. Each refuses until what becomes the snow drop, volunteers its white colors.

The art work has nature in painted colors and Father Snow as a jolly sketch amongst gorgeous, detailed flowers.

Read Also:

Betty Ann Schwartz's What Makes a Rainbow? chronicles the colors in nature.

Elsbeth Claus' "autobiography" Mrs Claus Explains It All tells of why Christmas is like it is.

"On the Map" -Simon Garfield

I love maps. A lot! They're what I collect when I travel; if I have a map of every place I went, it's almost better than a picture. I don't collect valuable maps, just the brochures that come free and have fun pictures on them.

In On the Map: a mind-expanding exploration of the way the world looks, Simon Garfield discusses the different maps from antique to collectors to board games (Risk! was a fascinating section!) and their place in society. Really cool!

Read Also:

I don't read a lot of books about geography, but I have quite a few atlases. Some different ones are Sherlock Holmes's London, Atlas of the Celtic World, The Ancient World, all good.

Matthew Battles Library: an unquiet history discusses the progression of libraries and books much as Garfield's book follows the changes in maps.

"Splat and the Cool School Trip" -Rob Scotton

Splat is awesome! Let me just lead with that. He's funny, fun, literally wide-eyed, and quite a darling. His mouse, Seymour, is just as awesome.

Splat's class is going to the zoo and he is looking forward to the penguins. Seymour too, except he's not allowed to go. But that doesn't stop Seymour from stowing away, showing up in style, scaring the elephant, causing chaos, and proving what a good friend he is to Splat.

Read Also:

Judy Schachner's Skippyjon Jones books follow an adventurous cat, who thinks he's a dog, through is imagined trips in his closet.

I've never read the Pete the Cat series by James Dean by Pete looks like he is just too cool for everything!

"Twelve Kinds of Ice" -Ellen Bryan Obed

Almost poetry, slightly biographical, Twelve Kinds of Ice presents winter in what may be the best possible light without referencing Christmas. Each ice is described in composition and uses.

Obed is so joyful and detailed in her text that the reader can feel, yet not despise, the biting cold. And still a hint of longing for the next winter.

Read Also:

Douglas Florian's Winter eyes, one of a set of seasonal poetry books.

Charlotte Otten's January Rides the Wind is another book of poems about the months and what a child looks forward to in each.

I've only just discovered Tasha Tudor! Her picture book Around the Year covers the joys of each month.

"Warning: Do Not Open This Book" -Adam Lehrhaupt

Any book that refers to itself is a MUST!

So what happens? First there's the... And then the... Followed by the ...! And then I had to shut the book to prevent them from all getting away! But that's what happens when you disregard a title like that.

Read Also:

Mo Willems' We're in a Book! really brings the act of reading to the forefront with Pig and Elephant. Funny!

Lane Smith's It's a Book shows the difference between a book and technology in a humorous banter of comparisons. Hilarious!

(I've read a lot of these) Michaela Muntean's Do Not Open This Book! has the reader interrupting Pig as he tries to write the book. Too good!

"Ivy + Bean" -Annie Barrows

Ivy + Bean was recommended to me by a library patron. Ivy, a clean, well-behaved, new girl and Bean, a tom-boy, become friends when they collaborate on casting a spell on Bean's older sister.

Not always a fan of the causing trouble merely because sisters misunderstand each other, but there is some depth to Ivy and Bean's characters. There's also some compassion and forgiveness which makes it a much better read.

Read Also:

Beverly Cleary's "Ramona" books with the annoying older sister and the creative mishaps.

Lissa Evans' Horten's Miraculous Mechanisms is about a new boy in town who teams up with some triplets to brighten up a dull summer.

What Happened on Fox Street by Mo Wren.

"Tiberius and the Friendly Dragon" -Keith Harvey

The cutest wittle mouse ever!

Tiberius is on his way to the village when he comes upon the town meeting where they're discussing how to get rid of the scary red monster. In a "brave little tailor" gesture, Tiberius agrees to investigate.

Read Also:

Disney's cartoon, "The Reluctant Dragon" is about a dragon who writes poetry and is woeful over others being scared of him.

Oliver Chin's The Year of the Dragon has all the animals of the Chinese zodiac working together.