A Snow Day Just for Little Critter

Easter is three weeks away, and it's still snowing in Erie. I'm afraid the white stuff is losing its novelty. I'm ready for spring. But those fluffy flakes certainly have merit, especially when you're a youngster and a blanket of white sometimes means a school cancellation. That's what Little Critter and his sister get in Mercer Mayer's Just a Snowman. No school. Just lots and lots of snow.

Critterville is very pretty all covered in snow. It lends itself well to those Currier and Ives-type scenes of children playing in an idyllic winter wonderland, skating on frozen ponds, sledding down pristine hills, lying on the ground to make snow angels. Little Critter is thrilled to have this unexpected day full of fun, and he knows just what he wants to do with it: build a snowman. Except other stuff keeps getting in his way...

Little Critter manages to cram a whole lot of activity into one snow day. After struggling into his snow clothes - and helping his little sister, who struggles even more and reminds me of Ralphie's over-winterized little brother in A Christmas Story - he's Daddy's little helper, digging out the driveway, and then the car. Then his sister initiates a snowball fight with very unfair rules. Then it's time for skating, sledding, snow forts and snow angels with Little Critter's friends. Will he ever get time to make that snowman?

Reading this book makes me regret once again that I haven't done more with this extensive winter we've had. I always loved playing in the snow; now, I love the idea of it but can't quite seem to motivate myself to go out there and build a snow fort or snowman all by myself. Ah, for those long-gone snow days! Mayer's illustrations perfectly capture the excitement and glistening beauty of such an occurrence. I also like the way he slips a little note from the vet onto the table where Little Critter is making hot chocolate, reminding pet owners to keep dogs away from chocolate lest its ingestion prove harmful.

Even if you're a fogey like me who hasn't gone sledding in six years, if you've ever played in the snow, this book should spark pleasant memories. Youngsters who read it will realize - or remember - just how much fun the snow has to offer and may be more inspired to make the most of their next snowy school-free day. It's more than Just a Snowman; it's a wintry entertainment itinerary.