Snow Day!

When the television weatherman predicts a big snowfall, the narrator gleefully imagines the fun-filled possibilities of an unscheduled holiday from school. Piling under warm blankets. Sipping hot chocolate in snowman mugs. Building a snow fort. Sledding in the neighbor's field. In scene after snowy scene, from sunrise to sundown, a pair of siblings, with their father in tow, show how they would make the most of their day off. But when the family wakes up the next morning, they are in for a disappointment. No snow! As the family members pile into the car so they won't be late for school, an unexpected twist reveals who wanted the snow day most of all. Adam Gustavson's expressive illustrations comically capture the excitement of pure possibility in author Lester Laminack's thoroughly original tale.

LESTER L. LAMINACK, a specialist in children's literacy, is professor emeritus of elementary and middle grades education at Western Carolina University in Cullowhee, N.C. He is the author of four picture books for children; the most recent is JAKE'S 100TH DAY OF SCHOOL, illustrated by Judy Love. Laminack has also authored the widely praised SATURDAYS AND TEACAKES, illustrated by Chris Soentpiet, THE SUNSETS OF MISS OLIVIA WIGGINS, illustrated by Constance Bergum, and TREVOR'S WIGGLY-WOBBLY TOOTH, illustrated by Kathi Garry McCord. Laminack has written numerous books and articles for educators and is frequently invited for keynote and feature presentations at state, regional, national and international conferences. He is the picture book reviewer for the journal Language Arts. Laminack received a doctorate from Auburn University in elementary education with a reading concentration. He earned his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science from Jacksonville State University. In addition, Laminack has experience in the trenches, having taught first grade for five years.