THE POWER OF SNOW

THE POWER OF SNOW by Bob Raczka. illustrated by Bryony Clarkson

I am smiling as I write this post today. Oh, the irony of Ohio's weather! Sunshine streaming in the windows this morning and forecasted snow this afternoon. I am good with it. Ohio's temperamental weather is one of the traits that make it endearing to me. It reminds me a bit of a toddler - one minute showing affectionate love and the next having a tantrum on the ground! It keeps you on your toes!

I read The Power of Snow by Bob Raczka this morning to my kids knowing that snow is coming. This beautiful picture book depicts snow perfectly in math terms with the use of powers.

Snow begins with just a couple of drifting flakes (2 to the first power). Before you know it, it's doubled (2 to the second power) and so on. In just a few short pages you work yourself up to 16,384 flakes (or 2 to the fourteenth power). It's a fun way to experience math. (Be sure to see the author's notes at the end!)

But this book won't just appeal to math kids. This book is written in verse form. Descriptive rhyming words for the falling snow are fun to read. Then there's the artwork.

Illustrator Bryony Clarkson's illustrations are marvelous. In her Illustrator's Notes at the end she tells us that every two page spread contains the exact amount of snowflakes equal to the exponent. Her artwork is filled with precious creatures and as the snowflakes multiply the pictures become more dense with the falling snow. Absolutely delightful!