Is there anything better than a snow day? Not if you’re a school age child or a young mastodon. Because whether you’re a 21st Century kid or a 10 foot tall mammal from the Pleistocene Epoch, it’s all the same. A snow is a fun day, and a fun day is a good day to share with friends. And that’s the premise behind a new picture book, Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure by Colorado author Amiee White Beazley.
When a young mastodon awakens one morning to a snowy world (and all the freedom that a snow day entails), she bolts out of bed and finds her best friend, Sloth. Together they set out on a snow day adventure to climb a nearby mountain. Or as our large furry protagonist puts it,
“I have an idea. I’m going to be the first mastodon to climb to the top of the mountain!”
“Don’t you mean the first SNOWmastodon?” joked Sloth.
“Yes! Call me Snowmastodon! The greatest adventurer in the world!”
Sloth grinned from ear to ear.
“Come with me Sloth,” she pleaded. “Pleeeeaase? Let’s do this together.”
And so they do. Setting off together they hike as far as they can without help. And just when they need assistance, along comes another citizen of the Ice Age, Beaver. Beaver lends them a hand and they carry on. Until they need more help and they find another friend. And so it goes. Snowmastodon and Sloth progress up the mountain getting aid from friends at every turn until they make it to the top. After a bit of rest and a bit of reflection from the top of the world, the two friends invent a quick way down and arrive at the base of the mountain just in time to go home to their families.
The Snowmass Ice Age Excavation
A lovely story about cooperation and friendship, I found Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure, especially interesting because of the paleontology connection. Drawing inspiration from the 2010 Ice Age excavation in Snowmass Village, Colorado, Beazley populates her book with the ancient animals found at the Ziegler Reservoir dig site. The Snowmass Ice Age excavation began when Jesse Steele, a bulldozer operator working on the expansion of a small reservoir, spotted something that looked like a bone. Sure enough, closer examination revealed not only a juvenile Columbian mammoth, but the remains of mastodons, sloths, giant beavers, salamander, bison and more. The find was so significant that the reservoir expansion was temporarily halted so that scientists from the Denver Museum of Nature and Science could continue the excavation.
Whimsy, With a Bit Of Nonfiction Too
On my first read through the book, I didn’t realize how true Beazley is to the actual animals found at the dig. I was surprised to find a salamander helping Snowmastodon and Sloth. But sure enough, when I got to the end of the book, I found an explanation and it’s one of my favorite parts of this book. Recognizing that most readers probably have little or no knowledge of Ice Age mammals and the Ziegler Reservoir dig, Beazley provides an extended Author’s Note that includes descriptions of the animals found at Snowmass and more.
Perfect For Little Explorers
Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure is a perfect book for young children who love animals and dinosaurs and are fascinated by fossils and past ages. But you don’t have to like bones, or have any interest in science, to enjoy this book. The full-color illustrations by Paul Antonson are absolutely adorable and full of good-nature. Readers familiar with the Snowmass area will recognize Mount Daly as the location for Snowmastodon’s and Sloth’s adventure. But even if you’ve never set foot in Colorado, the universality of the story and the gentle reminder of the importance of friendship make Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure a very sweet read.
More About The Ziegler Reservoir Dig
To learn more about the Snowmass Ice Age excavation and the fossils that were discovered, please visit snowmassiceage.com. At this time, the fossils are preserved at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, but the Snowmass Discovery Center on the Snowmass Mall has displays, a half-size mammoth and videos about the dig. The Discovery Center is open through April 15th from 11:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and is free. You can also visit this website to download brochures or a snowmastodon poster and to watch video from The Discovery Channel.
Giveaway
Amiee White Beazley has graciously donated a copy of Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure as a giveaway to readers of The Brave Ski Mom. To enter, please leave a comment. One winner will be chosen randomly from all comments received on Tuesday, March 20th. For a second entry, please “like” Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure on Facebook (and let me know that you did, please!). Good luck!
To facilitate this book review, I used a PDF of Snowmastodon! Snow Day Adventure. As always, all opinions expressed are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends. This post contains affiliate links to Amazon.
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Suzi says
My son would love this book… it looks like so much fun! It’s going on the list.
braveskimom says
It is such a fun book! And a great change from dinosaurs!
Suzi says
… And I’ve liked it on facebook 😀
braveskimom says
Gotcha! Thanks so much. Good luck!
Jason Zuliani says
I love the premise of this book, and look forward to reading it to my son who will, no doubt, come to appreciate that unofficial Vermont holiday, the snow day. I’m sure he’ll also carry on the household appreciation of Paul Antonson’s fantastic illustration.
braveskimom says
I am sure your son will love it. My sons may wish to move to Vermont. Their hopes for snow days are often high and rarely realized! Thanks.
Amelia says
Oh that book looks AWESOME! Would love to have books about snow to read all year long here! Thanks for the chance!
braveskimom says
Year-round snow! That’s AWESOME! Good luck!
Angie Allen says
I liked it in FB…great Colorado connections on several levels. Hope she comes to Grand Junction soon.
braveskimom says
Great idea. Good book for the library too! Good luck.
braveskimom says
BTW, you’re in double. Thanks for the like on FB!
Gretchen Bye says
I knew this writer was going do anazing things maybe even before she did!;)So proud and excited to read this tale to my two little snow bunnies! Awesome idea and beautiful illustrations. Can’t wait to see what’s next.
braveskimom says
Thanks! It is a great idea isn’t it? Good luck!
Bring The Kids says
This looks really great. Thanks for sharing!
braveskimom says
You’re most welcome! Do you know if the Denver Museum of Nature and Science has any of the fossils on display? Thanks!
Kristy says
I buy this book for great birthday gifts, kids 2+ will find something to love about this story. Beautifully written and amazing illustration. A keeper!
braveskimom says
Great gift idea! Thanks!
Jen Charrette says
Love the Colorado connection and always looking for fun yet educational books for the kids.
braveskimom says
I think your boys will love this one!
Molly says
I absolutely love the concept for this book. The pictures will engage my 1 year old and the story will enthrall my 3 year old. Adventure, education, this book has it all! And, knowing that it all happened in our “backyard”, will provide all the more excitement…can’t wait to visit the exhibit to bring the whole thing to life for my kids!
braveskimom says
I know! Isn’t it cool to have something so amazing so close? We visited the exhibit earlier this week. It’s very interesting and not overwhelming. There are some hands-on exhibits for kids, too. Have fun!
Io says
I would love this book for my son. Thanks
braveskimom says
Thanks for commenting! Good luck!
jenny yoakum says
I would love this book for my son!
braveskimom says
Good luck!
jenny yoakum says
I liked it on facebook too:)
braveskimom says
You’re in twice. Thank you!