Books

On a Gold-Blooming Day

What can you see on a frog-leaping, log-sleeping, goose-honking day? As autumn begins, plants and animals change in all kinds of ways to prepare for winter. Brilliant photos and rhyming text work together in this engaging read-aloud to highlight these changes, and back matter offers more information about each creature and change featured.

Here’s what reviewers say about On a Gold-Blooming Day:

“Colorful photographs and short, rhyming phrases extol the glories of autumn… The clever poetry pattern repeats several times, with the final page—still in two words—summing up the many parts. Excellent backmatter elaborates—in sequential order—on the various phrases… The book offers older students the opportunity to learn about word usage and try their hand at writing poetry that uses the text’s format… Sun-dazzling!”

―Kirkus Reviews

“Revel in the beauty of the fall season with this lyrical picture book for young children… This is a wonderful book to celebrate the season of fall and to identify new vocabulary words for young readers. A beautiful book that can be read almost like a poem or a song and should be on every bookshelf leading up to and during the season of fall!“

―Children’s Literature Comprehensive Data Base

A good read-aloud choice for preschool and early primary classes noting seasonal touchstones.

―Booklist

Awards and Recognition

On a Snow-Melting Day

Amazon

Indiebound

Teaching Activities

What will you find when snow begins to melt and spring is on its way? Chickadees sip from icicles, spotted salamanders march over melting snow, and insects warm themselves in skunk cabbage. High-impact photographs and a simple-rhyming text make this a fun and engaging read-aloud. Backmatter offers more details about the featured animals and natural phenomena.

Here’s what reviewers say about On a Snow-Melting Day:

“Full-color photography and sparse, rhyming verse offer a look at early spring in a temperate climate. Text, art, and layout are clever, thoughtful, and engaging… Plants, animals, and human beings are all included in the signs of spring… Crocus-poking, mud-luscious enjoyment.”

―Kirkus Reviewsstarred

“Silverman’s readable verse covers a wide array of familiar animals in their natural environments. Brisk rhymes and a musical refrain make this a lively nonfiction read-aloud… A section in the back matter covers scientific explanations for each animal or an event mentioned in the text… VERDICT: A welcome addition to school libraries. Perfect for answering nature-related questions or crafting lesson plans.“

―School Library Journal

“Using rhyming text and full-color photographs, Silverman introduces young listeners to the many signs that spring is arriving…The well-crafted verses include expressive (sometimes invented) language that highlights the sights and sounds of late winter…Pair with April Pulley Sayre’s Bloom Boom! (2019) to delve further into spring.”

―Booklist