Blizzard is based on John Rocco's childhood experience during the now infamous Blizzard of 1978, which brought fifty-three inches of snow to his town in Rhode Island. Told with a brief text and dynamic illustrations, the bookopens with a boy's excitement upon seeing the first snowflake fall outside his classroom window. It ends with the neighborhood's immense relief upon seeing the first snowplow break through on their street. In between the boy watches his familiar landscape transform into something alien, and readers watch him transform into a hero who puts the needs of others first. John uses an increasing amount of white space in his playful images, which include a gatefold spread of the boy's expedition to the store. This book about the wonder of a winter storm is as delicious as a mug of hot cocoa by the fire on a snowy day.
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14 of 15 people found the following review helpful.
winter classic
By Jason Kirkfield
Author-illustrator John Rocco has a penchant for disasters, having previously found Caldecott Honor success with Blackout. As a fellow survivor of the Blizzard of '78, I was eager to see and read John's recollection of that famous storm. The amazing thing about the blizzard is that it didn't snow for very long. Maybe just parts of two days? But the volume of snow was tremendous. I had no clue as a youngster, but evidently there is a simple scientific explanation. Because the storm occurred during a new moon and a very high tide, virtually unlimited water was available to turn into snow along the New England coast. Then, high winds gusted snow drifts against houses, covering doors and windows. It may seem like a fairytale now to children raised in the digital age, but in the pre-cellphone era with downed power lines, entire neighborhoods were cut off from civilization. We weren't parents then, so why worry? Lots of snow and no school!Rocco gets the time and place just right, especially home decor. Pay attention to the small nods throughout: the cash register, for example, and also the mantlepiece (though perhaps the recliner lever should have changed positions?). Rocco's illustrations evoke a simpler age, when families spent time together because there was little else to do. That was certainly true in Blackout, and I think the Norman Rockwellesque quality of his artwork is even more pronounced here.That comforting appeal may mask the fact that this was a massively destructive storm--over fifty people died and thousands of homes were damaged or destroyed. I do not complain about the happy ending to this picture book, but this is no Perfect Storm. Perhaps an expanded Author's Note might have provided more details regarding the scientific theory and consequences of the storm. For children or parents who wish to see more, I have included a link to period photos of the blizzard in the Comments section below.Meteorological explanations notwithstanding, this is an excellent picture book which I highly recommend. The double-foldout treasure map detailing our hero's journey is this book's party piece. Blizzard is well-positioned for success, coming on the heels as it does of Frozen in movie theaters, and the impending changing of seasons outside.4.5 starsTwo other winter classics for your child's bookshelf, one old and one new: The Snowy Day and Red Sled.[The reviewer was provided with a complimentary copy of the book.]
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful.Delightfully warm and cozy.
By Heidi Grange
I've long been a fan of John Rocco and this book joins the other books of his that I love. This is a book that children are bound to enjoy because the focus is on the children in the story. It's told in first person by the boy as he experiences the joys and difficulties of a powerful blizzard. Some aspects of the experience were enjoyable such as having school off and playing in the snow, but there were plenty of challenges too, such as the door being stuck, shoveling the driveway, and not being able to get to the store. But the boy has been reading up on his survival skills and comes up with a way to save the day. The illustrations are endearing and delightful and so child-friendly, especially the fold-out picture of the boy's meandering journey to the store on his tennis racket snow shoes. A winner through and through and one I would love to see get some award love in January.
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.The Big Snow
By prisrob
Do you think children can be heros? What is a hero anyway?The blizzard of 1978 was a very big snow storm to hit New England. That means, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. We had so much snow, almost 3 feet in my area. I had to get to work since I am a nurse. So, I know exactly what John and his family were up against. Most children love snow, but not too much. A lot of snow means a day off, but most children don't want too many days off. Often the electricity goes off, so you can't watch television., and the refrigerator and stove won't work. And, in John's case, his family began to run out of food. Once you start reading this book you will understand what John, his family and neighbors were up against. Parents/teachers will enjoy reading this book to their children. Children will have so many questions, and it will be a good chance to talk about what their family might do in this circumstance. The illustrations are bright and vivid. It is sometimes difficult to depict all that snow, but the author was able to succeed. A lot of lessons to be learned in this story, and that makes a wonderful children's story.Recommended. prisrob 01-11-15
