USE: cause-and-effect. noticing the small beautiful things in life. making a difference.
GENRE: fantasy.

A tiny family lives in a snow globe on top of a mantle of a regular-sized family. There is snow outside. The tiny family wants snow too; but no-one has shook their globe in a long time. The baby finally does it and then they are all happy as can be. ( )

This was an interesting view on snow globes, which I enjoyed. It was neat seeing two families parallel to each other, except one was in the snow globe and the other was not. ( )

Two families live side by side in this winter picture-book from Jane O'Connor, creator of the immensely popular Fancy Nancy character. One family, consisting of a mama, a papa, a boy, a girl, and Baby, lives in a big house on a hill; while the other, also consisting of a mama, a papa, a boy, a girl, and Baby, lives inside the snow globe sitting on the parlor mantel of the "big" family's house. The children of both families long for a snowstorm, something dependent upon the weather outside, for the big family, and upon the big family noticing them, for the snow globe family.

Although I wouldn't say that The Snow Globe Family was destined to become one of my particular favorites, I did find the dual narrative entertaining, and appreciated the fact (like the friend who recommended it to me) that it was the two babies that seemed most aware, of all the characters. The artwork, done in colored ink and gouache, was cute, but given the subject matter, I would have preferred to see more snowy scenes. Still, snow globe lovers will undoubtedly get a kick out of this one, as will any young child who dreams of snow, or enjoys tales of miniature people. ( )

The family inside the snow globe is hoping for a really big storm so they can go outside and go sledding. Unfortunately, the snow globe has been on the mantlepiece of the big house for so long, no one really pays attention to it, despite the family shouting and waving. One day it catches Baby's eye, though...

Curriculum: a great book for considering point of view. I like to share this with a snow globe that kids can pass around while I am reading. Imagine what 's happening inside when you shake this up! The book is a good introduction to historical fiction: kids can look at the illustrations and discuss if this book takes place in the present day, and how they would know, Also a great holiday read aloud that is secular.

Connor, J. & Schindler, S. (2008). The snow globe family. New York, NY: Puffin Books.

Summary: A little family lives inside a snow globe in a normal families' house. Both families eagerly await the first snowfall of the year. When Baby shakes the snow globe during a snowstorm, both families are able to enjoy a blizzard and the sledding that comes with it.
Media: Colored inks and gouache ( )