A Quiet Conversation with the Snow
A Quiet Conversation with the Snow
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Noah and his dad embark on a winter
walk one afternoon deep among the snowy woods and streams to their special sitting-spot. “Come
on Dad, I will lead the way” begins their hike past the blueberry patch as the
snow hums with big, white fluffy flakes. They
hear soft echoing against the branches and see trees that have become
laden with snowy shapes. Steadman’s watercolors capture private moments between father and son among the profound beauty and stillness of the
snow-covered, natural setting. Young listeners will enjoy the simple, gentle prose of
this wintery adventure and spotting the bright red cardinal that the illustrator has hidden within each spread.
Lori Colvin is a poet, writer and animated storyteller when her sons were little and now to her three grandchildren (Noah, Cecilia and Jack). She grew up spending time at “the land” where adventures in the woods were plenty. She traded the woods for city life until she married a country boy who reminded her of nature’s benefits. Lori considers her faith, family, friends and walks in the woods to be the most important. A Quiet Conversation with the Snow is her first book.
Lori is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).
Lee Steadman is an artist and educator best known for his watercolor paintings and book illustrations. He has worked for the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and National Geographic Society. His illustrations have been featured in publications by TV personality Fred Rodgers, Readers Digest and many other publications. Steadman captures scenes of nature on his farm studio in McKean, PA. He has wandered through many snowstorms with his father, his children and now their children.
A Quiet Conversation With the Snow
"A father and son take a walk in the snow and find a peaceful haven in their secret spot by the creek."
A
QUIET CONVERSATION WITH THE SNOW, written by Lori Colvin and
illustrated by Lee Steadman, is a perfect bedtime reading book,
especially for the night before or after a snow day. It is a gentle,
contemplative, peaceful book, with a loving father-son bond at its
heart. Steadman’s illustrations help contribute to this feeling of quiet
comfort and peace, with their soft blue and white tones and images of
drifting snowflakes and fluffy snow scenes. So as not to be entirely
monochromatic, the pictures are accented by a bright red cardinal who
darts through the pages after Noah and his dad, catching the eye with
his brilliant color.
Colvin’s language is simple and clear but
not condescending, easy enough for a beginning reader to pick out, with
only a few lines on each page. The font is perhaps a bit fancy for early
readers, but the text size is large enough to compensate for any
potential difficulty there, and it might help increase competence and
confidence with different styles of text. Despite its general tone of
serenity, the book is not entirely still – Noah and his dad play with
their dogs, have conversations that end up reflected in the scenery, and
make each other snow cones, creating enough sense of movement to carry
the child-reader along to the quiet, meditative core at the book’s heart
without being dull or stagnant. In the end, it’s a pure moment of
contentment and bliss, encouraging the child-reader who’s come along for
the walk to join Noah and his dad in a mindful moment of appreciation
for the beauty of the winter world around them.
There’s a bit of
religion in the book, very subtly hinted at in, for example, the image
of a praying woman in the snowy trees, and more explicitly referred to
in the epilogue, but it’s not intrusive or preachy, and doesn’t
interfere with the universality of the experience (at least for children
raised in areas which have regular snowfall). The real heart of the
book is the connection between father and son, their quiet companionship
and affectionate relationship, and therefore it is a particularly
well-suited book for a parent to read aloud to or with a beloved child.”
4.5 stars (out of 5) ~Indie Reader Verdict: A gentle story about a
father and son on a lovely snowy day, Lori Colvin’s A QUIET CONVERSATION
WITH THE SNOW is pure comfort food for the small-child soul.
“A Quiet Conversation With the Snow by Lori Colvin invites readers on a
peaceful walk through snow-covered woods. As Noah and his dad set out
for a walk one winter’s day, the gently falling snow soon becomes their
companion as it communicates to them in whispers and creates meaningful
shapes while blanketing the trees. Gorgeous illustrations by Lee
Steadman capture the serenity of a snowfall. On many pages, a striking
Cardinal beautifully stands out against the bright white of the
snow-covered landscape. Noah and his dad take great delight in the
tranquility of spending time together while observing the world around
them covered in snow. In this captivating story, the author shares a
poignant message about the importance of slowing down and appreciating
God’s creation as well as the special significance that Cardinals may
have.
Lori Colvin’s A Quiet Conversation With the Snow is filled
with gentle reminders that moments of joy and wonder can be found
everywhere; from the hush of snowfall to the majesty of soaring birds
and towering trees. Readers will be transported to a winter wonderland
as they journey along with Noah and his dad on their snowy walk. Vivid
and detailed illustrations capture the grandeur of the natural world
covered in freshly fallen snow. A simple walk in the woods becomes a
beautiful sanctuary for a father and his son to explore and enjoy
together. The uplifting explanation of Cardinals as messengers may spark
meaningful discussions about faith. This is the perfect read to cozy up
with throughout the winter season.” 5 Stars ~Melinda Facal for
Readers’ Favorite
Colvin spins a meditative story of a winter hike in this picture book debut.
Noah and his dad decide to go for a walk in the woods on a snowy day. With winter
coats and walking sticks, they travel past bushes and under drooping trees until they
reach their secret spot. At the creek, they admire the snow, playfully make snow cones
for each other, and listen quietly to the soft, muted sounds of winter. When Noah’s dad
suggests that heaven must be like this moment, both Noah and the snow smile back.
Colvin captures the hush of the snowy day by keeping her text brief, giving each
moment weight: “Finally here, they gazed upon the reflection of snowflakes dancing in
the wind.” The writing is sometimes straightforward and sometimes more poetic,
encouraging readers to stop and listen to the natural world around them—especially if
they can share it with a loved one. Steadman’s detailed watercolor illustrations capture
that stillness, hiding a brilliant red cardinal in each spread. Some of the images are
more whimsical, such as when the father and son imagine shapes in the snow-covered
trees. Others make use of realistic textures while obscuring other shapes—just the way
a snowy day would. All of them are a delight to behold. —Kirkus Reviews
“For young readers who love poring over detailed images, this is a perfect choice for a
winter’s day.” —Kirkus Reviews