Book Description
for Footprints in the Snow by Mei Matsuoka
From Cooperative Children's Book Center (CCBC)
When Wolf finds a set of footprints in the snow leading from his front door, he decides to follow them, hoping they will lead to a new friend. But, thanks to fairy tales, Wolf has a bad reputation—all of the animals he meets on his journey refuse to talk to him, assuming he only wants to eat them. When he finally finds that it was Duck who made the footprints, all he can do is think about how tasty Duck would be. He pounces—and is awakened by bathwater! It turns out his journey has only been an imaginary one through his house. We see toy versions of all the animals he encountered strewn throughout the rooms as Wolf runs to answer a knock at the door, only to find footprints in the snow, leading away from his front door. This is a perfectly paced picture book with a pleasing narrative pattern, clear and humorous illustrations, and a completely satisfying surprise ending. (Ages 3–6)
CCBC Choices 2009. © Cooperative Children's Book Center, Univ. of Wisconsin - Madison, 2009. Used with permission.