All You Need for a Snowman by Alice Schertle

Book Genre: Fiction

Publishing Info: Scholastic Inc., 32 pages

Awards or honors received: None

Summary: This book is a fiction picture book, about a group of friends building a snowman. The author describes the process of making a snowman in a sing-song fashion. “All you need to build a snowman” is snowflakes. The author humorously adds more and more objects that you would need once you packed the snow into three balls and stacked on top of one another. On top of the biggest ball you need a hat, some bottle cap eyes, a carrot nose, walnuts buttons, a belt and boots, broom, mittens, fanny pack and something to read. The story ends with snowflakes falling again, and the friends building another snowman.

Personal rating and reason for rating: *** Good – This book is pretty good. It is simple enough for first graders to read towards the end of first grade or most second graders, but it works well as a seasonal read aloud for prekindergarten or kindergarten.

Reading level: 2.3

Interest level: PreK-2 (Lower Grades)

Possible uses of the text in integrated units of study (reading and writing across the curriculum): Perfect for a winter unit. It could also be used as an introduction for a writing lesson on adding detailed instruction for an activity or event. Potential

Problems or Difficulties: Seems appropriate for all ages, I do not see any potential problems or difficulties.