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Sunday, March 22, 2020

A Day for Skating, written by Sarah Sullivan and illustrated by Madeline Valentine. Candlewick Press, Penguin Random House. 2019. $22.99 ages 3 and up


"Rosy cheeks, cold nose,
sore bottom, frozen toes.

Hot cocoa, snack-bar hut,
drying mittens, warming up.

Good friends gliding in a row.
Holding on and letting go."

There's a lot of melting going on here. We have had sunshine four straight days, and temperatures above zero today. It is needed brightness as everyone struggles with this new reality of staying home and being safe for ourselves and everyone else. Dreary days might just make the self-isolation worse. Yes, I know it is 'spring'; experience tells me we may not have yet seen our last snowfall. That being said, I know for sure we no longer have ice skating rinks. And, if we did have them, we wouldn't be able to use them as we seek to social distance ourselves. I don't want you to miss hearing about a few books I received on Friday.

A Day for Skating is filled with familiar scenes of growing up where snow is with us for five months. Skating is a big deal, especially on a pond. This pond welcomes skaters of all ages. It is surrounded by snow and snow-laden trees. It has a bridge, benches, a skate shack that houses a canteen, and there are lots of visitors. The little girl and her father whose story is told experience the joys and pitfalls of a day skating. They are surrounded by kids skating on their own, or with parents, friends, and even a pup.

It is a happy place. That is evident in the digital art created with watercolor and colored pencils. Each spread offers a look at the action, moving from one detailed scene to the next as the day progresses. The skaters arrive in early morning ready for action. After much hard work, they stop for a snack and cocoa, and skate until early evening and a roaring fire. As darkness descends, it's time to pack up and head for home, where a warm bath and a quiet read result in peaceful slumber.

The brief rhyming text is what early readers need to make it a story they soon can share. The story from scene to scene, with familiarity and appeal. In schools where a skating program is part of the year's activities, this would be a very welcome addition to the library collection.

Do you find yourself wondering what might be happening at the pond once everyone has gone home to bed? Be sure to check it out!                                                                     

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