Twelve Kinds of Ice

Before listening to this book, one might not appreciate the myriad types of ice that form during the winter months. Obed's family memories chronicle each kind--from the first skim coats that break easily to the perfect ice of skating parties and late-night skates to the season-ending grainy "punk ice." Jessica Almasy's youthful voice is perfect for this childhood memoir. She uses extended pauses and elongated phrasing for dramatic effect--expressing the solemnity of each and every skating rink rule, for example. Her voice crescendos with excitement--especially for the family ice show--and radiates warmth with each memory of past ice adventures. A.R. (c) AudioFile 2013, Portland, Maine

September 1, 2013

Gr 2-5-How many kinds of ice are there during the winter? It starts with that faint crinkly sheen that breaks at a touch. Gradually, however, ice spreads over fields and ponds. It grows thicker as the cold seeps deep. Finally, it's time for the family to set the boundaries, stomp the snow, spray the water, and create the ice rink that will be their entertainment center for hockey and skating until the same progression that began the ice reverses, and the world warms again. While the ice goes from a thin sheet to a frozen stream, the house becomes a warming area, a locker room, and a sports center. All activities revolve around the ice. Obed's book (Houghton Harcourt, 2012) contains 20 very short chapters that skim beautifully over each type of ice and the activities that follow. The author evokes all the senses with carefully chosen spare text. Jessica Almasy reads the story in a youthful voice, drawing listeners in until they, too, are skimming smoothly across this annual magic of the winter season. An evocative, joyful celebration of winter.-Teresa Bateman, Brigadoon Elementary, Federal Way, WA

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