Over and Under the Snow by Kate Messner

A lovely book for a winter read aloud: beautifully told and illustrated and informative about the animals that live under the snow (and some that live over it) in the winter time. Have you heard of the "subnivean zone?" I hadn't - until I read this book. It's the network of tiny open spaces and tunnels between the snowpack and the ground. An extensive author's note at the end give more information about each featured animal. All in all, a charming story and a great read for sparking an academic conversation about the "secret kingdom under the snow."

Published by Chronicle Books, 2011.

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