K-Gr 2 "The quiet. It is almost like music." With the delicacy of snow falling silently on treetops and musical notes passing across the page, close friends Houndsley (a wise dog who happens to play the cello) and Catina (a childlike perfectionist cat who plays the clarinet) find their performance plans interrupted by a snowstorm. While Catina always worries about that which cannot be done, and Houndsley always finds a positive solution to every situation, the realities of a winter storm lead the friends to use their imaginations and create an "island" in Houndsley's house, enjoying a day of reading and writing poetry, games, and shared dreams. Soft watercolors and a pastel palette reveal the cozy clutter of Houndsley's home, and white snow-washed scenes of snowmen add gentle, whimsical humor to a day of restricted activities inspired by the weather. This small book provides a seamless visualization of the perfect conclusion to a snowy day. Mary Elam, Forman Elementary School, Plano, TX

Emergent readers will enjoy the latest outing featuring this appealing cat-and-dog friendship. The first winter storm finds the duo snowed in while preparing for the evening's community concert. Houndsley loves the quiet time, while Catina is hopping mad that she is stuck inside. Finally, neighbors shovel them out and the concert takes place after all. Gay's delicate watercolors capture the delight of a wintry day, and Howe's on-target portrayal of friends who get along despite bumps along the way make this special.

Houndsley loves a snowstorm when everything becomes hushed, "almost like music." Catina, however, frets that their concert might be canceled that evening. Eventually, Catina comes to appreciate the beauty of the storm, with the help of Houndsley's imagination. Delicate watercolor, pencil, and collage illustrations highlight the quiet of the snow, while their gentle humor brings out the dog-and-cat friendship.

The frantic pace of daily life is thrown by the wayside when a heavy snowstorm quietly descends in this latest installment starring friends Houndsley and Catina. Duo Howe and Gay ( Houndsley and Catina and the Birthday Surprise , 2006, etc.) continue the animals' friendship amidst a serene snowfall. Feline Catina anxiously awaits their performance in an evening's planned concert, worrying the weather will prohibit her plans for the special occasion. Canine Houndsley, however, enjoys the calm the winter wonderland brings, and he helps Catina to appreciate—gradually—the wonderful quiet the snowy day has to offer. Their tranquility is slightly interrupted, however, as neighbor Bert continuously practices his dramatic cymbal solo next door. Each chapter builds to the night's grand musical event, and the projected percussion finale provides a tender surprise to the wintry day's conclusion. Howe's text fully suits newly independent readers, while Gay's dreamy watercolor, pencil and collage illustrations thoroughly set the stage for the snowy setting. These endearing characters shine in this gentle and reflective read. (Early reader. 5-8)