Over and Under the Snow

PreS-Gr 4—Messner's charming tale tells the story of what goes on under the snow while a young girl is cross-country skiing. A variety of animals, including voles, bees, red foxes, and bears, are noted on her trek. Laura Knight Keating voices the story, embracing the child's delight at the secret kingdom beneath the snow. With a lovely tone, Keating gives choice words emphasis and reads phrases like "clouds whisper down feathery-soft flakes" with breathy wonder. Alliteration is used heavily in the prose, and the repeated "s" sound is sibilant and a bit grating, which slightly mars the reading. The author's note that follows is loaded with information about the subnivean zone—tunnels beneath the snow—and details about the animals mentioned. The disc includes a version with page-turn signals. This seasonal story has strong educational value for the very young.—C.A. Fehmel, St. Louis County Library, MO