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Summary
Summary
Four stories about Amanda and Oliver Pig and their parents, who go outside to play after a big snowstorm.
Author Notes
Jean Van Leeuwen was born in Rutherford, New Jersey on December 26, 1937. She received a bachelor's degree in journalism from Syracuse University. Before becoming a full-time author, she worked in the children's book department of a publisher. She is the author of more than 50 books including Timothy's Flower, Bound for Oregon, and the Oliver and Amanda series.
(Bowker Author Biography)
Reviews (4)
School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Four easy-to-read stories that flow smoothly and read aloud well. They feature typical outdoor adventures following a big snowstorm-making snowballs and a ``snow pig,'' building a fort, playing with icicles, and sledding. The reassuring presence of parents eases the anxiety of preschooler Amanda (she sinks in the snowdrifts and is worried about the steep sledding hill) and helps her and her brother Oliver gently resolve conflicts. Since family fun is the order of the day, children and parents alike will enjoy this reading experience. The charming watercolor and pencil illustrations add to the sensitive and funny vignettes. An outstanding selection for beginning-to-read collections.-Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Horn Book Review
Oliver and Amanda go out to play after a giant snowstorm. Oliver learns that a snow fort is easier to tunnel through when he lets Amanda help; and Amanda graduates to sledding on the big hill with Oliver. Finally, melting snow provides the whole family with the fun of building an unusual snow pig. The warm interaction of family members continue to make these gentle stories a delight for early readers. From HORN BOOK 1995, (c) Copyright 2010. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Kirkus Review
The pig siblings are off in another Easy-to-Read adventure, this time enjoying a snow so deep that it is over Amanda's head. Big brother Oliver is into snowballs and sword-cicles, while his little sister prefers snow angels and magic wand-cicles, but both can enjoy defending a fort, sledding down hills, and building a snow pig. Van Leeuwen (Across the Wide Dark Sea, p. 1437, etc.) provides tales simple enough to be enjoyable, with just enough story to retain interest. While they are true to so-called traditional family life--with sibling rivalry between young and old and a mother and father in standard roles--there are also surprises: Mother not only offers warm cookies from the oven and hot chocolate, but also makes snow angels, digs out and defends the fort from Father, and loves sledding. Schweninger's bright watercolor and pencil pictures are as cheerful and expressive as the stories themselves. In fact, this family's fun is enough to make even adults wish for a snowstorm. (Fiction. 5-8)
Booklist Review
Gr. 1-2, younger for reading aloud. After a big snowfall, Oliver Pig and his little sister, Amanda, build a snow fort, go sledding, and make a snow creature. Beginning readers will enjoy the gentle humor, and preschoolers will appreciate Amanda's challenges as she deals with her brother's obstinacy and her fear of sledding down the big hill. Rounded line drawings with watercolor washes brighten every page. Offering simple winter tales for reading aloud, these stories capture the pleasure children take in cold, snowy weather and a warm, loving family. (Reviewed January 1 & 15, 1996)0803717628Carolyn Phelan
