Once Upon A Snowstorm by Richard Johnson is a
charming picture book with a twist. The tale is told entirely without words, inviting young readers to imagine their own interpretations of the events that
flow across the beautifully illustrated pages.
The story begins with a lonely father and son enjoying the beauty of
the falling snow. When the boy becomes lost, he’s discovered by woodland
animals and finds refuge and friendship among the forest creatures. Eventually, his longing to be reunited with
his father inspires a kindly bear to undertake the long journey home. Father
and son are reunited, but now the bear is in danger of being shot until the boy
steps in and becomes the rescuer by explaining the bear’s presence to the
father. The father’s understanding and
acceptance of the bear opens a path to friendship with all the other animals
and puts an end to the father’s and son’s solitary existence.
The illustrations are detailed and imaginative. The snow scene is
engaging with the flakes transforming into racing deer, rabbits, foxes, and
birds. Clever snapshots that focus on small details: the hands of father and
son as they lose touch with one another, the astonished faces of each animal
that mirror the boy’s surprise are juxtaposed with richly-colored double page
spreads.
There is a thoughtful use of perspective employed throughout to
emphasize individual plot points such as the minute image of the boy in the
blizzard’s field of swirling white or the huddled form of the exhausted boy lit
by the faint light of starry animal constellations spread across a double page
spread of inky night.
Young readers will find much to discover as they identify details to
incorporate into the narrative. Once Upon A Snowstorm offers a
delightful opportunity for parents and children to collaborate on storytelling
as they discuss the various images and explore their meanings.
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