Caralyn Buehner

"I think that while I'm snug in bed / Dreaming of Christmas treats, / The merry snowmen slip away / And hurry through the streets." And so the young boy-narrator of this second rhyming picture-book about the nighttime adventures of snowmen enters into another magical dreamscape, in which he imagines the many fun activities snowmen engage in, whilst celebrating Christmas. From decorating the Christmas tree in the town square to joining in a round of carols, the snowmen know how to mark the show more season, returning to their daytime places with a special holiday glow in their hearts...

Like the first picture-book about those snowy figures and their surprising nighttime adventures, Snowmen at Christmas pairs an engaging read-aloud text in rhyme with bright, colorful illustrations. Mark Buehner's artwork here is especially lovely, capturing the mysterious beauty of snowy nights and the festive appeal of holiday lights. It also contains hidden images that young reader/listeners can hunt and find. Caralyn Buehner's text, meanwhile, depicts a heartwarming array of traditional Christmas activities, highlighting the importance of communal celebration. Recommended to anyone who read and enjoyed Snowmen at Night, as well as to anyone looking for fun Christmas stories told in rhyme. show less

Have you ever wondered what snowmen do at night? That is the exact question addressed by Caralyn Buehner in her book, Snowmen at Night. The story opens up with a little boy looking at a snowman in the morning and noting that “His hat had slipped, his arms drooped down/he really looked a fright--/it made me start to wonder/what do snowmen do at night?” What follows is a magical work of fantasy, in which the story and pictures show all of the games snowmen play when they come to life at show more night. They congregate in the park where there is “ice cold cocoa” made by “snowman mothers.” Then the snowmen participate in games that are seen during all seasons, not just winter. They have snowball fights and go sledding, but they also play baseball and have races. It soon becomes clear that snowmen only look disheveled in the morning because of the many activities they have at night.
With illustrations by Mark Buehner that practically jump off the page with beauty and vividness, Snowmen at Night is a feast for the eyes as well as the ears with its rhyming prose. The pictures are detailed, with each snowman being distinct…perhaps none more so than the one that wears a cowboy hat and sheriff’s badge. The snowmen are also not limited to having identical noses, as some have carrots, while others have cucumbers. The illustrations are drawn to showcase where light hits the snow, with the appropriate sparkle in all the right places. There are also hidden images in the pictures, such as the moon with the face of a snowman. A wonderful seasonal or any-time read for Pre-K through 4th grade, or anyone who is young at heart. show less

Caralyn and Mark Buehner, the husband and wife author/illustrator team who produced the bestselling Snowmen at Night, as well as its many sequels, turn their attention to the classic English fairytale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears in this colorful retelling. The narrative follows the traditional story for the most part, although Goldilocks herself is a jump-rope jumping, snappy rhyme-making little terror here, as she destroys Little Wee Bear's chair, eats all of his porridge, and falls show more asleep in his bed...

Although the Buehners' Goldilocks and the Three Bears isn't going to go on any best-of list, when it comes to fairytale picture books in general, or retellings of this tale in particular—my favorite in this regard is the version done by Jim Aylesworth and Barbara McClintock—I think it could provide reading/listening entertainment for younger audiences who enjoy this sort of fare. The artwork is colorful and immediate, and the narrative engaging. For myself, I prefer a more traditional, less wise-cracking Goldilocks, but tastes vary, and this telling has its place. I would recommend it to picture book readers looking for a slightly more contemporary-feeling version of this oft-told tale. show less

When he finds his snowman somewhat melted one morning, a young boy wonders what the snowy figure might have gotten up to the night before, imagining a series of exciting events, from a trip to the park to a sports competition involving all of the snowman's friends. The snowmen enjoy themselves immensely in this imaginary scenario, something which offers potential comfort to the children who observe their deteriorated condition the next day...

The first of a series of picture-books from show more author/illustrator team Caralyn and Mark Buehner about the doings of those popular snow figures, Snowmen at Night pairs an entertaining imaginary tale told in rhyme with bright, colorful artwork. The book would make an excellent read-aloud at story time - especially in the winter! - while the artwork provides a more interactive experience, in which children can search for the hidden images in the illustrations. For my part, I found a lot of Santas in the snow! Recommended to all young children who loves snowmen, and wonder what they get up to at night, as well as to those looking for rhyming picture-books with a wintry theme. show less