#3 Caldecott Book

Snowflake Bentley by Jacqueline Briggs Martin

I thought that this book did a good job of presenting facts about William Bentley. To me, it was a little boring and it’s not one that I would choose for myself to read, but I can see the value in it. The illustrations fit the text to a “T”, and I really enjoyed how the author put the “facts” on the edge of the page.

I do think the season had some effect on my reaction to this book. I am so dreadfully tired of winter (even though we haven’t had much snow!), and of course this book has snow and winter on the majority of its pages. I am beyond ready for spring and summer to glide on in!!! Also, I am not much of a biography reader. I know that they have their place and importance in our reading, but I’d rather have the fun read with a moral/lesson.

I have never read a book by Ms. Martin, except Snowflake Bentley. Therefore, I have no way to compare this to another book. I did look up her books at Barnes and Noble, and found one in particular that stuck out, Banjo Granny, which is a delightful little tale about a grandmother’s determination to get to see her grandbaby. The book is spiced up with a little bluegrass reference, which adds to the book.

This book reinforced to me that biographies are important to our students! I knew that, in the back of my head, but every now and then it needs to be reinforced since these books are not my favorites to read.