Snowflakes by Cerrie Burnell and Laura Ellen Anderson is a heartwarming story and the beautiful illustrations give the book a magical feeling. It is perfect for reading under a cosy blanket on a cold, wet or snowy day. The story is the first written by CBeebies presenter Cerrie and it gently tackles some complex themes in ways that are accessible for even very young children.
The story follows a little girl Mia, who leaves the street lights and noise of the city to move in with Grandma Mitzi in the whispering forest.
Grandma Mitzi does her best to help Mia feel at home but everything is new and unfamiliar; she has never fed chickens before, walked in the forest or even owned a coat. Mia feels out of place, she looks different to the other children who are “as pale as snow” and her family is different to the other families in the village. When the snow starts to fall she realises that it is ok to be different, she is as beautiful and unique as each falling snowflake.
Talk about
Snowflakes explores a number of themes and it could be a source of endless discussion. We focussed on discussing what makes us feel happy and safe and the importance of understanding that although everyone is different, everyone is perfect in their own way - just like Mia and the snowflakes.
Here are some ideas or questions that you might want to use to start a discussion in your family. You know your family and which questions they are ready to tackle now and which can be left for another day.
- What makes you feel happy and safe?
- How does it make you feel when you visit somewhere new?
- How can you make visitors or new people feel welcome?
- Do we all look the same?
- Does it matter how you look?
- Are some people better than other people?
- Where are Mia’s Mummy and Daddy?
- Why do you think Mia had to go and stay with her Grandma?
- Why was the new red coat Mia’s first ever coat?
- Mia and Grandma Mitzi are a family. What other different types of family do you know about?
Snowflake crafts and activities for kids
After we read Snowflakes we made our own polystyrene pizza base snowflakes, each one different and each one beautiful. We also made frozen snowflakes to hang outside on the trees. Have a look at the Pinterest board full of snowy crafts and activities for kids…
- Read and Create pizza base snowflakes
- Red Ted Art snow and ice activities
- Science Sparks pretend snow
- Here Come the Girls indoor snow play
- Science Sparks baking soda ice cubes
- Actually Mummy making icicles
- The Imagination Tree snow play dough
- Here Come the Girls indoor winter wonderland
- Thinly Spread ice lanterns
- Me and My Shadow fun in the snowy forest
- Science Sparks how to make frost
What have you been reading this week?
Oh I didn’t know that Cerrie had written a book and such a lovely one as well. I think Amy would really enjoy this. She loves snow. By the way, I really enjoyed this review and that you continued to give ideas for discussion and craft projects - such a great idea to base activities on books you’ve read. I’ll be back for more next week
x
Carolin recently posted…Wednesday Wishlist: The Morning After - Welcome 2014
Thanks for such lovely comments Carolin. Glad you are enjoying so far x
sharon chapman says
What a lovely looking book look forward to discovering and exploring with Ephron. You have inspired me with this blog and would like to share Kiss Good Night, Sam by Amy Hest. A perfect bedtime read on a dark stormy night. We have it in hardback picked up at a charity shop some time ago and the illustrations are very sweet
Thanks for sharing Sharon, glad you are enjoying #kidsbookaweek so far
A lovely idea for a book and so crucial nowadays to validate differences as unique and special
Anya from Older Single Mum and The Healer recently posted…Who Rocks Your Socks?
Thank you
Thanks for sharing about this book, it sounds lovely and I might have to get this! I have linked up a book we have been reading recently too
anna m recently posted…Making Sand Art Pictures with Kids Bee Happy
Thanks for linking up x