Allen Morgan

Summary
Sadie makes the best snowman ever. Then the sun comes up. What is she going to do?

Personal Opine
I was fully prepared for this book to depress me into an early grave (books with snowmen never end happily. Ever.), but I was surprised—this telling story about the ultimate ideal of the human spirit, perseverance in the face of adversity and strife (and animals eating your snowman’s face) filled me with hope for the human condition. Also, it was an incredibly cute story with beautiful show more imagery and a great ending. Highly recommended.

Classroom Extension Ideas
1. Have the kids make their own snowman—of construction paper and the like.
2. Should it snow that winter—have the kids make a snowman on their own time and take a picture of it, then put sthe collaborative snowmen on the wall/bulleting board show less

When Joey outgrew his skates, his father went to the skate store to buy him second-hand skates. To convince him to wear the used skates, the storekeeper assured him they had magical powers. He could rub them and make a wish three times. With the last wish, he helped his older brother Zach who was injured during a hockey game, win the championship.

The game of hockey is a popular theme in Canadian youth literature for boys. Ashamed of buying used equipment, the child is empowered to believe show more the skates will bring him good luck. This story also emphasizes family relationships when the younger brother steps in and wins the older brother’s hockey game. show less

Summary
It was winter and Sadie was making a snowman. She rolled three balls of snow, put them together, used cookies for the eyes, apple for the nose and banana for the smile. Animals came and ate the food off the snowman while sun came out and melted it. This made Sadie very sad, so she decided to make another. She used crackers for the eyes, carrots for the nose and zucchini for the smile. Animals also ate the food off the snowman and she tried to cover the snowman with a blanket in order show more to protect it from being melted by the sun. It eventually melted. She made yet another snowman but this time she placed him in a ziploc bag until next winter came. She then took them out and made two snowmen. They lasted even longer this time and she was happy.

Personal Reaction
I liked the creativity that Sadie displayed in this story by using different types of food on the snowman. I was also impressed by the fact that Sadie seemed very smart in the way she not only developed strategies to protect the snowman but she persisted in trying different things until something actually worked. I thought that was amazing! The real pictures on each page brought such life to the story that I felt I was actually there. There was a scene where it was actually snowing and the animals looks so real and alive. I think kids would love those scenes. I think Sadie was a real smart and determined little girl.

Extensions
This story can be used to teach sequencing of a tasks or events in composition. Students can be asked to write how to make a snowman. For younger children students can be given the sequences on pieces of paper then they stick them together in order on a sheet of paper. Students can engage in making a snowman during the winter time. show less

A title from the "Matthew and the Midnight" series by Allen Morgan. Matthew has lost a favourite toy truck. After falling asleep with much worry, Matthew wakes during the night, where meets and assists the Midnight Tow Truck Driver to collect and shrink cars--"I trade with the other guys". After a night of hooking and shrinking cars, eating red licorice, and meeting colourful tow truck drivers, Matthew wakes to find his truck in his coat pocket. Martchenko's well-known illustrative style and show more technique greatly enhances Morgan's imaginative storyline. Recommended for Kindergarten to Grade 2 level. show less