Twelve Kinds of Ice, written by Ellen Bryan Obed and illustrated by Barbara McClintock. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children, Thomas Allen & Son. 2012. $19.99 ages 5 and up

"We made huge backward circles and listened to the sharp cuts of our blades. We skated out to the middle of the lake - the forbidden place of frothing whitecaps in the summer. We could hear ice cracking and groaning as it stretched itself in the cold.  We sped to silver speeds in which lungs and legs, cloud and sun, wind and cold, raced together."

I think that I have my mind set in winter weather today, given the snow and the constantly running furnace. I guess that is why I am going to tell you about another book concerning this cold, beautiful season.

My brother and I have wonderful memories of growing up here. Our neighbor had a double wide lot and every winter, Mr. Nackoney created an outdoor skating rink for all of the kids in the neighborhood. I am not sure that we were cognizant of the twelve kinds of ice that Ellen Bryan Obed describes as this was city living; and we didn't really know about milking pails, streams, meadows and the environs that gave rise to her annual skating experiences:

"THE FIRST ICE
The first ice came on the sheep pails in the barn - a skim of ice so thin that it broke when we touched it."

 As she moves forward in this lovely memoir of earlier family times, she explains how each new kind of ice lead the family toward the heightened anticipation of:

"PERFECT ICE
Dad had worked hard and it was done - a
one-hundred-fifty-foot surface of perfect ice.
No holes, no bumps, no ruts, no scratches.
And when Dad had his masterpiece of perfect
ice, we knew it was time for...
A SKATING PARTY"

All the ices in between, and then leading finally to DREAM ICE make for a lovely tale that begs to be shared as a classroom readaloud. It feels like a classic story that your grandmother might tell, or your aging parents (me, for instance). It is full of fun and wonder. It is a family story that plays itself out for many years as the children are growing and winter rears its frigid head once more. I love the eager anticipation as each new kind of ice is described for alert and attentive readers and listeners.

Anyone who has experienced winter ice skating will be reminded of time spent in the outdoors with cold winds nipping at your cheeks, aching toes begging for a short stop in the warmth of a skate shack, the freedom of movement as skate blades 'spit silver', the anticipation of hot chocolate and a warm supper when darkness fell and hunger called you home. This tiny treasure calls up many happy memories for me, as it will for others. For our children today, it is like historical fiction...a time when children spent much of their time outdoors, both summer and in winter.

The text is beautifully written, descriptive and eloquent, allowing readers to experience so much of what this family experiences every year. I want to share so many passages for your listening pleasure:

"These were some of Dad's tricks:
Waltzing around the ice with a broom, pretending
it was his skating partner.
Accidentally tripping near the edge of the rink and
falling headfirst into a snowbank, then waggling his
feet up in the air and emerging with his head covered
with snow.
Running or walking on his skates right off the rink
as if nothing were wrong."

I can see it all. And if not, Barbara McClintock assures in her pen and ink detailed artwork that we will know exactly how much the family and community anticipates the twelve kinds of ice described so lovingly for us. There are spots and full spreads. All are filled with movement and wonder. The setting is contemporary but it has a classic, old-time feel to it. 

This is a book that begs to be shared aloud. Once read, you are sure to sing its praises to your children and your students, those who skate and those who don't.