Anna's Wish

From School Library Journal PreSchool-Grade 2—It has not snowed in Anna's village for many years. People still own shovels and sleds, but year after year they go unused. Anna's mother tells her daughter stories of winters past, and the girl longs to experience them for herself. As Christmas approaches, she gets out an old sled and wishes for snow so hard that the wishes float up into the air and turn into snowflakes. Originally published in Switzerland, this simple but charming picture book has been skillfully translated. The narrative is smooth and short enough to read aloud, and the acrylic and gouache illustrations are equally appealing. The palette switches between bright Christmas colors, especially around Anna, and the gray winter colors of the town. Rave is skilled at drawing distinctive faces with just a few simple lines. Even passers-by in a crowd have personality. The snowflakes are interesting, too, as no two are alike. For some reason, those on the cover are all exactly alike. Despite this small shortcoming, the book is a welcome choice for libraries looking for new seasonal material.—