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Snowflakes Fall

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By Lauren
Snowflakes Fall
Written by Patricia MacLachlan
Illustrated by Steven Kellogg
Random House Books for Young Readers, 2013. Unpaged picture book.

Snowflakes Fall is, at surface level, a sweet story about snowflakes and their individuality; how they fly where they are meant to fly, how all are uniquely beautiful. The underlying theme is the tragic loss of the children at Sandy Hook Elementary School last December. This poetic tribute is touching, while still being child-appropriate. I wish I'd read this with Kleenex handy, because it's a symbolic, tender read. Steven Kellogg skillfully represents the lively exuberance of children playing in a snowstorm, with their rosy cheeks and sparkling eyes. Patricia MacLachlan, as always, uses the best of words:
"Wailing wings may blow
And frantic, icy snowflakes
   scratch the window glass.
Branches fly
And shadows
   darken dreams.

But then-when we wake in the morning light-
    Surprise!
    The world shines!"
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