Snowman-Cold-Puddle
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Awards & Honors

Snowman-Cold=Puddle: Spring Equations

Written by Laura Purdie Salas
Illustrated by Micha Archer
Publisher: Charlesbridge, 2019
ISBN: 978-1580897983 32 pages

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

Downloadable Activities

Cover-of-activity-guide
Activity Guide
Write-an-Equation-pdf
Write an Equation

Photo Gallery

20200205_102322
dandelion-spread
Art © Micha Archer
words_dot_of_dot_trees_dot
Translation
TC_4th-c
Student equation poems
spider-web-dew-masterpiece
moon-stick
Student work from Lebanon Junction Elem.
cups_aligned
Make an equation poem mixer
craft_sticks_equations
Or use craft sticks
Coffee
At Denver's Children's Festival of Stories
cat-in-the-hat
Snowman JLG Selection
Student work from Lebanon Junction Elem.
20200225_133249
9Writing-Equation-Poems
Equation poems written and illustrated by 2nd and 3rd graders at Katzie Elementary.
4th_grade_aslan_magic_on twitter

More for Educators or Writers

How this Book Got Started

One day in 2014, I was brainstorming fun ways to share nonfiction information. Here's what I wrote in my idea file: " ___ + ___ = _________. Bees + flowers = honey. Short equation. Then longer prose explanation. All science-related." So the form came first. Figuring out the topic...that was a long process that involved writing hundreds of equation poems!

Poems I've Written

These poems connect to this book in topic, theme, or form—great for text-to-text connections!

cloud
videos-shelves-jurassic-period
twilight-edges-fog
Treasure-chest-x-forest-equals-pine-cone
tall-grass-_-dark-path-mystery
sunset-bay-lighted-path
stone-silence-gratitude
Saturday-Laura-DONUTS
puzzle-piece-x-2
Pine-x-pruning
onion-oil-alcohol-heat-volcano
news-heart-ache
maple-blossoms-breeze
held-breath-verdict-relief-
green-peekabo-spring-bilungual
gear-scrap-cake-pan-robot
Garage-plus-bzzzz-equals-haircut
friends-mailbox-treasure-chest
city-turkeys
circle-fountain-x-8
boxes-stacks-mountains
bird-wire-chapter-one
basement-keepsake-video
art-Simon-Says-laughter
20220413_145005
20220413_144912
20220419_113101
20220419_113123
20220419_113153
science-equations
vultures-dumpster
dog-drive-thru
car-wash
boulevard-trees

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