I rarely review picture books over here but was recently bowled over by one I received from Tundra Books. (I promptly emailed Jules about it and look forward to it receiving the Seven Imps treatment.) COUNTING ON SNOW by Maxwell Newhouse is the simplest of titles - just a 1-10 counting book that combines illustrations with spare text ("8 Ravens Raving", "4 Hares Huddling" etc). What puts it over the top in my book is the combination of Newhouse's INCREDIBLE paintings and the use of northern imagery. This is the first counting book I've seen with musk oxen, caribous and seals - it's truly a north country celebration. But that would just make it a regional success if Newhouse wasn't such an amazing painter and if his black, white and gray palette was not utilized so effectively.

COUNTING ON SNOW just screams northern winter from start to finish but does it in such an elegant and understated way that you feel like you're on the edges of a SNOW QUEEN story with Audrey Hepburn as your guide. There is nothing garish about this little book, or commercial or the slightest bit over-the-top. It's the "Stopping By the Woods on a Snowy Evening" version of counting books as opposed to the whatever is being thrust upon us at the door of the local big box store. I wonder if any retailer has this book face out let alone on display. It positively reeks of hand-sell and I hope they have it at my old employer up in Fairbanks. Alaskans will love it - but so would anyone who likes a captivating counting book.

Quill & Quire says is has the making of a "Canadian classic" and I certainly agree.

Also, see the Tundra Books blog - the header (which is very clear) is from a spread in COUNTING ON SNOW ("5 Wolves Watching").

ETA: Bit thanks to Nick Glass (at Teaching Books) for the crisper cover image!