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Awards & Honors

Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
2020 Bank Street Best Books
New York Public Library’s list of Best Books for Kids
NCTE Poetry Notable
ALA-CBS’s #ReadingBeyond Advanced Reader List

Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations

Written by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by Micha Archer
Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2019
ISBN: 978-1580897983 32 pages
* Paperback edition coming in spring 2025!

Description

In this exploration of spring, math meets metaphor in tiny, clever equations. Each small poem will prompt you to look at the ordinary and see the miraculous. Can you look at an egg in a nest and see a jewelry box? How are sunlight and heat like an alarm clock? Solve the equations and read the lively sidebars that reveal the science behind the signs of spring.

riverbank + otters = playground

Some animals play all year long. In spring, otters slip and slide in the dirty, slushy snow. No mittens. No hats. Just messy, muddy, mucky fun.

Journal Reviews

To–ahem—sum things up, this picture-book blend of math, science, and poetry welcomes—and explains—the hallmarks of spring with effortless ebullience.

—The Horn Book

Nature, the book suggests, offers abundant surprises to those who take the time to notice.

—Publishers Weekly

Each page is a pleasing mix of colorful tissue-paper collage art, equation poems, and a bit of lively exposition discussing the science behind the equations…beautifully original art complements the fun of the playful poetry. Poetry + art = beauty.

—Kirkus Reviews

These innovative poem-equations bring a new awareness and a refreshing way to look at nature.

—BookPage

A handsome, original book for reading aloud each spring.

—BookList

This delightful picture book proves that art + science = an incredible amount of fun.

—Shelf Awareness

Reader Reactions

[E]very equation has an amazing and a thoughtful lesson tucked into it, and is a springboard for further inquiry, dialog and discussion.

—Nerdy Book Club

Laura accompanies each equation poem with a brief fun explanation: "Some animals play all year long. In spring, otters slip and slide in the dirty, slushy snow. No mittens. No hats. Just messy, muddy, mucky fun."

—Kimberly Hutmacher

As with her other books, Laura Purdie Salas easily shows the reader that there are so many different ways to look at the world around us...

—Lady in Red

Salas plays with the poetic form here, creating a mathematical poetry style that is entirely joyous to read.

—Waking Brain Cells

For the final equation and poetic response, readers are challenged to pay attention, look for changes and be changed.

—Margie Myers-Culver

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