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Snowflake Bentley: A Christmas Holiday Book for Kids
From the time he was a small boy, Wilson Bentley saw snowflakes as small miracles. And he determined that one day his camera would capture for others the wonder of the tiny crystal. Bentley's enthusiasm for photographing snowflakes was often misunderstood in his time, but his patience and determination revealed two important truths: no two snowflakes are alike; and each one is startlingly beautiful. His story is gracefully told and brought to life in lovely woodcuts, giving children insight into a soul who had not only a scientist's vision and perseverance but a clear passion for the wonders of nature. "Of all the forms of water the tiny six-pointed crystals of ice called snow are incomparably the most beautiful and varied." -- Wilson Bentley. SNOWFLAKE BENTLEY won the 1999 Caldecott Medal.
32 pages, Library Binding
First published September 28, 1998
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,165 reviews
January 27, 2020
This 1999 Caldecott Medal winner is a happy byproduct of my Reading Road Trip this year. I was struggling to find a book set in Vermont that would hold my interest, and this illustrated children's book was on all of the “Best Books of Vermont” lists.
Even though I chose Shirley Jackson's Life Among the Savages to represent Vermont, this book was special enough to earn an honorable mention.
The illustrations here, the hand-colored woodcuts by Mary Azarian, are so reminiscent of the more famous ones by J.J. Lankes in Robert Frost's Pulitzer Prize winning New Hampshire, that I could not help but be won over and feel as though a part of my heart broke off and remained in New England.
Snowflake Bentley is the story of a Nature lover, Wilson Bentley, who lived and died in the state of Vermont. He was a quirky guy who was obsessed with photographing snowflakes (lots of available material nearby) and his work was eventually published in a book called Snow Crystals.
As I read this for the second night in a row to my 9-year-old (who loved it), I wasn't thinking so much about snowflakes as I was about Uncle Wilson, Wilson Bentley's more popular identity around the farm. Uncle Wilson had many nieces and nephews (whom he loved to entertain with slide shows of his photographed crystals), but Wilson Bentley himself never married or had kids and shared one side of a farmhouse with his brother Charlie.
As I was properly explaining the make-up of crystals aloud to my daughter, my mind was privately wondering what Wilson's deal was. . .
Totally inappropriate thoughts and not recommended for more mature adults who are simply trying to expose their children or students to science and art.
Even though I chose Shirley Jackson's Life Among the Savages to represent Vermont, this book was special enough to earn an honorable mention.
The illustrations here, the hand-colored woodcuts by Mary Azarian, are so reminiscent of the more famous ones by J.J. Lankes in Robert Frost's Pulitzer Prize winning New Hampshire, that I could not help but be won over and feel as though a part of my heart broke off and remained in New England.
Snowflake Bentley is the story of a Nature lover, Wilson Bentley, who lived and died in the state of Vermont. He was a quirky guy who was obsessed with photographing snowflakes (lots of available material nearby) and his work was eventually published in a book called Snow Crystals.
As I read this for the second night in a row to my 9-year-old (who loved it), I wasn't thinking so much about snowflakes as I was about Uncle Wilson, Wilson Bentley's more popular identity around the farm. Uncle Wilson had many nieces and nephews (whom he loved to entertain with slide shows of his photographed crystals), but Wilson Bentley himself never married or had kids and shared one side of a farmhouse with his brother Charlie.
As I was properly explaining the make-up of crystals aloud to my daughter, my mind was privately wondering what Wilson's deal was. . .
Totally inappropriate thoughts and not recommended for more mature adults who are simply trying to expose their children or students to science and art.
May 9, 2019
This is a little biography of Wilson Bently. He was the first person to photograph snowflakes and understand that each one was different. He loved the snow. I can relate to this person. He loved gathering pictures. His parent spent their savings to buy him a camera and he used it to take photos no one knew they wanted to see. He made little money in his life. He was a fascinating man with his own passion in life. He was dedicated to snow, for sure. I don’t think he ever made the money back he spent on the camera in his life.
The nephew didn’t connect with the story. He didn’t get the importance of the discovery. He gave this 2 stars. The niece thought it was somewhat interesting. Neither of us were impressed by the artwork here. It wasn’t good or bad, it just didn’t stand out. She gave this 3 stars.
He was an interesting person.
The nephew didn’t connect with the story. He didn’t get the importance of the discovery. He gave this 2 stars. The niece thought it was somewhat interesting. Neither of us were impressed by the artwork here. It wasn’t good or bad, it just didn’t stand out. She gave this 3 stars.
He was an interesting person.
March 26, 2021
An evocative and yes, magical marriage of text and image, Jaqueline Briggs Martin's Snowflake Bentley presents not only a loving and textually caressing homage to Wilson Bentley and his achievements (primarily the fact that he was able to actually figure out a way to harness and retain the ethereal and generally fleeting beauty of snowflakes, of capturing their intricate and always changing geometrical images with and by photography), it is also a paean to winter, to snow, or perhaps in this era of warning trends, of the snow-heavy "real" winters that are now becoming sadly and increasingly rare even in those areas where they are or at least were considered the norm and not the exception. Graced with and by Mary Azarian's expressive woodcut like accompanying illustrations (that both mirror and augment the presented narrative, showing not only historical 19th century rural Vermont in all its winter glory, but also demonstrating Wilson Bentley's love of snowflakes and his determination and desire to capture the images, the crystalline snowflake designs permanently and lastingly), Snowflake Bentley is a true and sweet gem, and as such, more than well deserving of the Caldecott Medal designation that Mary Azarian was awarded for her glorious, always expressive illustrations.
Now as a story in and of itself (and as a book in and of itself), Snowflake Bentley in my opinion deserves a solid five star rating (for yes, Jacqueline Briggs Martin's narrative flows smoothly and engagingly, with the main textual part also never too wordy or too difficult for younger children, and older children and adults can, if they should so desire, then peruse more about Wilson Bentley's life in the informative side panel details provided, which I personally think is much more potentially user friendly than having this information relegated to the back of the book as it avoids the need of having to flip back and forth). And really, the only reason I am not considering five stars, but four stars for Snowflake Bentley is that there should also be a list of works cited and suggestions for supplemental reading included (not a major shortcoming by any means, however, an included bibliography would definitely increase the teaching and learning potential and value of Snowflake Bentley, and those who know me, also will and should by now be cognizant of the fact that especially for non fiction children's books, I ALWAYS want and pretty much demand supplemental reading lists).
Now as a story in and of itself (and as a book in and of itself), Snowflake Bentley in my opinion deserves a solid five star rating (for yes, Jacqueline Briggs Martin's narrative flows smoothly and engagingly, with the main textual part also never too wordy or too difficult for younger children, and older children and adults can, if they should so desire, then peruse more about Wilson Bentley's life in the informative side panel details provided, which I personally think is much more potentially user friendly than having this information relegated to the back of the book as it avoids the need of having to flip back and forth). And really, the only reason I am not considering five stars, but four stars for Snowflake Bentley is that there should also be a list of works cited and suggestions for supplemental reading included (not a major shortcoming by any means, however, an included bibliography would definitely increase the teaching and learning potential and value of Snowflake Bentley, and those who know me, also will and should by now be cognizant of the fact that especially for non fiction children's books, I ALWAYS want and pretty much demand supplemental reading lists).
October 30, 2009
I really enjoyed this picture book biography for school aged chidren.
I was so reminded of how I was fascinated with snow and snowflakes when I was a kid.
This is a biography of a man who was obsessed with snow from a young age and developed a technique of microphotography so he could capture pictures of individual snowflakes. His interest didn’t lag, even when he was scorned or dismissed for it.
I was emotionally touched by this story. I loved how his parents supported him by buying him the camera that he needed and how other scientists also supported his work. I was struck with his life long passion for nature, especially for snow, and how he lived his passion and was generous with his photographs.
The art really fit the book, although it’s in a style not my favorite. (Edit: After I read the book and realized that these were woodcuts I was impressed and also got more enjoyment from them.) The story was not told in a scintillating manner or style, but if the reader is already interested in the subject, it suffices. I was fascinated. I’m even considering reading W. A. Bentley's book Snow Crystals and especially his book Snowflakes in Photographs.
What I was most hoping for was included: the final page contains a photo of Bentley with his camera and shows three of his snowflake photographs. I’d have liked to see even more, but I’m glad that at least three were included.
I was so reminded of how I was fascinated with snow and snowflakes when I was a kid.
This is a biography of a man who was obsessed with snow from a young age and developed a technique of microphotography so he could capture pictures of individual snowflakes. His interest didn’t lag, even when he was scorned or dismissed for it.
I was emotionally touched by this story. I loved how his parents supported him by buying him the camera that he needed and how other scientists also supported his work. I was struck with his life long passion for nature, especially for snow, and how he lived his passion and was generous with his photographs.
The art really fit the book, although it’s in a style not my favorite. (Edit: After I read the book and realized that these were woodcuts I was impressed and also got more enjoyment from them.) The story was not told in a scintillating manner or style, but if the reader is already interested in the subject, it suffices. I was fascinated. I’m even considering reading W. A. Bentley's book Snow Crystals and especially his book Snowflakes in Photographs.
What I was most hoping for was included: the final page contains a photo of Bentley with his camera and shows three of his snowflake photographs. I’d have liked to see even more, but I’m glad that at least three were included.
May 24, 2013
I read this book because I bought it for someone else -- yeah, I'm one of those, but only with kids' books, I promise! The story caught me by surprise, because based on its title I thought it might be something fairly frivolous, but it's the true story of a man fascinated with snowflakes from a young age who, with his farming parents' help, kept at his dream and passion of photographing snowflakes and discovered that each was unique. A rich, inspirational story.
March 4, 2015
A facinating story of a very unique person made even better by the artist's wood block prints for the graphics. He spent his whole life absorbed by snowflake shapes and trying to bring them to life for others.
January 2, 2019
In this lovely picture-book biography of Wilson Bentley, a Vermont farmer who dedicated his life to documenting the beauty and diversity of the snowflake in his photography, author Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrator Mary Azarian have created a textually engaging and visually arresting work. Opening in the mid-19th century, when Bentley was a young boy who loved the snow, the narrative follows him through the years, as his desire to share his passion with others leads him to adopt and adapt the practice of micro-photography in order to capture the crystalline beauty of the snowflake. Of immense value to both scientists and artists, Bentley's work reached its fruition in 1931, when he published a monograph entitled
Snow Crystals
, which contained 2500 of his photographs.
It's not difficult to see why Snowflake Bentley was the Caldecott Medal winner in 1999, as Mary Azarian's woodblock illustrations, colored in with watercolor, are absolutely beautiful, perfectly capturing the rural charm of Wilson Bentley's world, and the appeal of the snowflakes he adored. I particularly like the two-page spreads featuring cool blue panels on the sides, with snowflakes falling, as these contrast nicely with the warmer hues in the central panels. The story itself is interesting, highlighting the life of a simple, self-educated man who followed his passion, and thereby increased the store of knowledge and scientific understanding available to others. Recommended to anyone who loves winter, snow, and snowy vistas, as well as to anyone looking for engaging picture-book biographies.
It's not difficult to see why Snowflake Bentley was the Caldecott Medal winner in 1999, as Mary Azarian's woodblock illustrations, colored in with watercolor, are absolutely beautiful, perfectly capturing the rural charm of Wilson Bentley's world, and the appeal of the snowflakes he adored. I particularly like the two-page spreads featuring cool blue panels on the sides, with snowflakes falling, as these contrast nicely with the warmer hues in the central panels. The story itself is interesting, highlighting the life of a simple, self-educated man who followed his passion, and thereby increased the store of knowledge and scientific understanding available to others. Recommended to anyone who loves winter, snow, and snowy vistas, as well as to anyone looking for engaging picture-book biographies.
August 10, 2009
What a great (true!) story about a boy who loved snowflakes--and grew up to share that love with the world! I love his determination to continue with his hobby of analyzing snowflakes--then the passion to persevere (even though so many folks thought he was odd!) and try to photograph them so he could share the beautiful patterns with others. This would make an inspiring read for home schoolers or anyone determined to self-study the topics that he or she loves best.
The illustrations are wood-cuttings and won the Caldecott.
I'm now eager to look up some of Bentley's photography! There are a few examples at the end of this book and they are spectacular!
The illustrations are wood-cuttings and won the Caldecott.
I'm now eager to look up some of Bentley's photography! There are a few examples at the end of this book and they are spectacular!
January 2, 2017
I love this! What an inspiring tale of a minor obsession. Bentley didn't do anything huge like start a revolution, but because he had supportive parents he did live the life he wanted to, and make a significant contribution to science and to art.
I'm not normally a fan of wood- or lino- cut work, but the illustrations here are a good fit for the story, and sufficiently bright and cheerful for me. The text is gracefully written, and the extra notes on the sides of the pages, are of interest to older readers, but can be skipped by the younger. I particularly like the very last page, with the quotation and photographs. And I like the descriptions of what, and how, he studied other bits of nature, like spider webs.
I'd appreciate a bibliography for further reading, but since there isn't one, I'll investigate further via Bentley's own texts, Snowflakes in Photographs and Snow Crystals.
I'm not normally a fan of wood- or lino- cut work, but the illustrations here are a good fit for the story, and sufficiently bright and cheerful for me. The text is gracefully written, and the extra notes on the sides of the pages, are of interest to older readers, but can be skipped by the younger. I particularly like the very last page, with the quotation and photographs. And I like the descriptions of what, and how, he studied other bits of nature, like spider webs.
I'd appreciate a bibliography for further reading, but since there isn't one, I'll investigate further via Bentley's own texts, Snowflakes in Photographs and Snow Crystals.
January 20, 2019
I started reading this book after hearing Sarah Mackenzie from Read Aloud Revival Podcast rattling on and off (I love her rattling<3) about it and boy! was I delighted! I read it and re-read it in the course of a few minutes and I was quite overwhelmed by Wilson Bentley's perseverance, his ambition and gentle perception of the natural world (reminiscent of dear Beatrix Potter). I kept searching for his pictures online. Thrilling to see yet again God's wonderful grace around us. We are surrounded by grace, glory and beauty! We just need to adjust our eyes to see all of it!
December 29, 2021
I sure wish we'd had more snow in 2020, but surely this spring will bring a few chilly surprises to the midwest. That said, I still love this picture book biography about Wilson Bentley. It will be my last re-read of 2020. <3
For children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
For children's literature, middle grade literature, and YA literature reviews, feel free to visit my personal blog at The Miller Memo!
January 27, 2016
2003, January 1
If you're interested in factual picture books, this is a good one. It think it ranks with The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer among my favorites.
Library copy
If you're interested in factual picture books, this is a good one. It think it ranks with The Dinosaurs of Waterhouse Hawkins: An Illuminating History of Mr. Waterhouse Hawkins, Artist and Lecturer among my favorites.
Library copy
February 15, 2019
A picture book biography about the man who discovered that each snowflake is unique. Wilson Bentley (1865 - 1931) experimented with a camera containing its own microscope, until he could successfully photograph individual snowflakes. During his lifetime he spent $15,000 on his work and received only $4,000 from the sale of his photographs, purchased by artists and many universities. Other scientists raised money so that Bentley could publish a book of his best photographs, which is still today a definitive research book on snow crystals.
This picture book biography contains themes of following one's passion through all obstacles, believing in one's contributions to the world, and placing service to mankind above monetary gain. Lovely colored woodcut illustrations contain an old-world feel that is perfectly suited to this story.
This picture book biography contains themes of following one's passion through all obstacles, believing in one's contributions to the world, and placing service to mankind above monetary gain. Lovely colored woodcut illustrations contain an old-world feel that is perfectly suited to this story.
November 16, 2008
Martin, Jacqueline Briggs. Snowflake Bentley, Houghton Mifflin Company, unnumbered pages. Non-fiction, Biography, Caldecott Medal Winner.
Description: This book tells the story of Wilson Bentley, a Vermont man who devoted his life to studying and photographing snow. The book focuses on his techniques and specific interests in snow.
Review: Snowflake Bentley does a great job of making a somewhat mundane topic seem interesting. The rough, woodcut illustrations paired with a straightforward storytelling style make this book a quick read for older kids. Younger kids may like to have the book read to them.
Snowflake Bentley incorporates a strange method of displaying the text, which does the book a disservice. Most of the text appears in the middle of each page, but many pages also contain a sidebar with additional text that appears in an alternate font. At first, it was unclear to me whether these sidebars were meant to be read separately from the main story. I concluded that they're meant to be read as optional text boxes, providing additional information that is not crucial to the telling of the story. I thought this format was distracting, however, and the book would have been better if they had been omitted.
Professional Reviews:
School Library Journal, August 2006.
This review emphasizes the charming illustrations included in this book. I also thought that the illustrations were a nice accompaniment to the text.
Watson, Elizabeth. Horn Book Magazine, Sept./Oct. 1998.
Watson's review focuses on the book's factual accuracy and the character development of Bentley. I agree that the book includes a lot of facts about Bentley and his achievements.
Description: This book tells the story of Wilson Bentley, a Vermont man who devoted his life to studying and photographing snow. The book focuses on his techniques and specific interests in snow.
Review: Snowflake Bentley does a great job of making a somewhat mundane topic seem interesting. The rough, woodcut illustrations paired with a straightforward storytelling style make this book a quick read for older kids. Younger kids may like to have the book read to them.
Snowflake Bentley incorporates a strange method of displaying the text, which does the book a disservice. Most of the text appears in the middle of each page, but many pages also contain a sidebar with additional text that appears in an alternate font. At first, it was unclear to me whether these sidebars were meant to be read separately from the main story. I concluded that they're meant to be read as optional text boxes, providing additional information that is not crucial to the telling of the story. I thought this format was distracting, however, and the book would have been better if they had been omitted.
Professional Reviews:
School Library Journal, August 2006.
This review emphasizes the charming illustrations included in this book. I also thought that the illustrations were a nice accompaniment to the text.
Watson, Elizabeth. Horn Book Magazine, Sept./Oct. 1998.
Watson's review focuses on the book's factual accuracy and the character development of Bentley. I agree that the book includes a lot of facts about Bentley and his achievements.
March 10, 2017
This was the January selection for the kids' Magic Carpet Readers book club at the lib. We bring the book home and read it together, then they meet at the lib and discuss and do crafts and projects. Headed up by our superwoman librarian, Sue, this is a great reading group for my kids. And since they're juuuuuust shy of being Irish twins, they read at the same level. Perfect!
This selection was our favorite so far. Wilson Bentley was the son of a Vermont farming couple, turn of the century. He was fascinated by snowflakes and did his best to capture and study them. When his parents gift him with a state-of-the-art magnification camera, Bentley really starts his serious, and breathtaking, study of the snowflake.
My kiddos liked this book so much that we were compelled to investigate the snowflake further, and now I'd say they're both snowflake experts (there's more to know than you'd think, or at least more than I had thought!). From here we went on to find other great books of snowflake photography, including books of Bentley's work, as well as super vivid, modern images. Interesting findings: snowflakes don't always have six sides! They're rarely symmetrical! There's lots of great snowflakes facts out there :) And I'm just trying to cling to the last of winter here, my very favorite season, because I feel it slipping (melting) away. Sigh...
I would HIGHLY recommend this beautiful non-fiction book. The wood-cut illustrations are wonderful. It was a great launching pad for us to explore more books on the subject. 5 stars!
This selection was our favorite so far. Wilson Bentley was the son of a Vermont farming couple, turn of the century. He was fascinated by snowflakes and did his best to capture and study them. When his parents gift him with a state-of-the-art magnification camera, Bentley really starts his serious, and breathtaking, study of the snowflake.
My kiddos liked this book so much that we were compelled to investigate the snowflake further, and now I'd say they're both snowflake experts (there's more to know than you'd think, or at least more than I had thought!). From here we went on to find other great books of snowflake photography, including books of Bentley's work, as well as super vivid, modern images. Interesting findings: snowflakes don't always have six sides! They're rarely symmetrical! There's lots of great snowflakes facts out there :) And I'm just trying to cling to the last of winter here, my very favorite season, because I feel it slipping (melting) away. Sigh...
I would HIGHLY recommend this beautiful non-fiction book. The wood-cut illustrations are wonderful. It was a great launching pad for us to explore more books on the subject. 5 stars!
October 6, 2017
This picture book biography tells of a scientist so obsessed with snowflakes that he made photographing them his life’s work. Though the book is non-fiction, the text is very readable and approachable, presenting information as a story, rather than a dry litany of facts. Occasional additional details are printed in the snowflake-filled borders of certain pages, but even these are quick, and to the point, making them easy for kids to digest. I was disappointed that a book about a photographer shows so few of his own actual photographs, but there is one page at the back showing some examples. All in all, I thought this was an interesting topic for a children’s book, and it fulfills a growing need my library has for biographies for kindergartners and first graders.
February 4, 2017
Great for so many reasons! Here is a boy who had a strong interest and really pursued his passion. Here is a family that maybe didn't 100% understand his fascination with snow and snowflakes yet supported him. Here is a book with wonderful illustrations that gently teaches science concepts (such as observation, forming a hypothesis, experimenting, etc.) in an engaging manner, embedded in a true but very engaging story. Here is a book that shows Bentley's determination as well as his generosity. He never became rich through his discoveries; he just wanted to share his knowledge and the beauty he discovered with others. A great biography, science book, character education book, and so much more!
November 15, 2009
After reading this book, I will never look at a snowflake the same way again! It's the beautiful story of a master of the art and science of the photography of snowflakes. Wilson Bentley's work was considered unimportant and even silly by people at the time, but he persevered. He became an authority on snowflakes and published a collection of his best photographs in a book. Along with the main story, important facts are also given in the sideline margins. Illustrated by colorful woodcuts, this book won a Caldecott Award. This would make an ideal read aloud book on the day of the first snow. It could be accompanied by a paper cutting snowflake making activity.
December 27, 2017
Wonderfully presented and told story of the man who was the first to photograph snowflakes and show the world what wonders of nature these tiny ice crystals really are. Definitely an inspiring story!
Humane parents note: At one point the text informs us that Mr. Bentley gently ties a grasshopper to blade of grass overnight so he can photograph the insect speckled in dew the next morning. This no doubt made for an amazing photo, but it seems a little cruel. This very brief passage wouldn't make me not recommend the book, however.
Humane parents note: At one point the text informs us that Mr. Bentley gently ties a grasshopper to blade of grass overnight so he can photograph the insect speckled in dew the next morning. This no doubt made for an amazing photo, but it seems a little cruel. This very brief passage wouldn't make me not recommend the book, however.
February 16, 2021
My grandmother gave me this book as a kid, and now it's been passed down to Sammy. I haven't ever forgotten this story of the man who took pictures of snowflakes!
June 27, 2021
Snowflake Bentley is a children's picture book written by Jacqueline Briggs Martin and illustrated by Mary Azarian. It centers on Wilson Bentley, who was always fascinated by snow, to one day become the first person who photographed them in all their variations.
Wilson Alwyn Bentley, also known as Snowflake Bentley, was an American meteorologist and photographer, who was the first known person to take detailed photographs of snowflakes and record their features. He perfected a process of catching flakes on black velvet in such a way that their images could be captured before they either melted or sublimated.
Martin's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Martin conveys Bentley's passion in lyrical language and punctuates her text with frequent sidebars packed with intriguing tidbits of information. Hand-tinted with watercolors and firmly anchored in the rural 19th century, Azarian's woodcuts evoke an era of sleighs and woodstoves, front porches and barn doors, and their bold black lines provide visual contrast to the delicate snowflakes that float airily in the sidebars.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is a brief biography of a farmboy born in 1865 on the Vermont snowbelt who never lost his fascination with snowflakes. Bentley spent 50 years pioneering the scientific study of ice crystals, and developed a technique of microphotography that allowed him to capture the hexagonal shapes and prove that no two snowflakes are alike.
All in all, Snowflake Bentley is a lyrical biographical tribute to a farmer, whose love of snow and careful camera work expanded both natural science and photography.
Wilson Alwyn Bentley, also known as Snowflake Bentley, was an American meteorologist and photographer, who was the first known person to take detailed photographs of snowflakes and record their features. He perfected a process of catching flakes on black velvet in such a way that their images could be captured before they either melted or sublimated.
Martin's text is rather simplistic, straightforward, and informative. Martin conveys Bentley's passion in lyrical language and punctuates her text with frequent sidebars packed with intriguing tidbits of information. Hand-tinted with watercolors and firmly anchored in the rural 19th century, Azarian's woodcuts evoke an era of sleighs and woodstoves, front porches and barn doors, and their bold black lines provide visual contrast to the delicate snowflakes that float airily in the sidebars.
The premise of the book is rather straightforward. It is a brief biography of a farmboy born in 1865 on the Vermont snowbelt who never lost his fascination with snowflakes. Bentley spent 50 years pioneering the scientific study of ice crystals, and developed a technique of microphotography that allowed him to capture the hexagonal shapes and prove that no two snowflakes are alike.
All in all, Snowflake Bentley is a lyrical biographical tribute to a farmer, whose love of snow and careful camera work expanded both natural science and photography.
October 28, 2022
A book about a man who devoted his life to photographing snowflakes. When he was older in years, he went out in a snowstorm to photograph more snowflakes, got pneumonia and died, leaving a book behind that is still studied today.
Ages: 4 - 9
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
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Ages: 4 - 9
Cleanliness: nothing to note.
**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!
So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
May 19, 2023
Images of snowflakes signify winter. They appear in stories about the season and as designs on Christmas decorations; they're printed on fabrics and outlined in craft books, ... they're so pervasive that everyone knows what snowflakes look like, so it's hard to imagine a time when people thought of 'snow,' but not necessarily about individual flakes.
For Bentley, a childhood interest developed into a life-long passion. He wondered and formed questions that he tried to answer. Persistence and patience. He didn't give up even after long stretches of disappointments. This story even hints at scientific thinking and how observations could lead to a few tentative generalizations.
I appreciated the additional information printed in sidebars. I assume that the three photos at the end of the book are ones that he took. I wish there had been more.
Art: perfect for the story
June 26, 2012
Published in 1998. I really enjoyed hearing about someone that I didn't know was my hero. I have always wondered how someone got the snowflakes photographed before they melted. Snowflake Bentley is the guy. His love for snow and nature led him to a life of discovery in his photographs but also with the aid of a microscope hooked up to a camera, something very rare in his day! I loved how they told the actual story side by side with the story. Surprisingly, I thought they harmonized nicely.
February 25, 2018
Snowflake Bentley (ages 6-10) by Jacqueline Martin and illustrated by Mary Azarian chronicles the life of Wilson Bentley from Vermont. He became a world famous snow authority and established a technique called microphotography. It has won the prestigious Caldecott Medal Book and ALSC Notable Children’s Books.
See my blog for other winter-themed children's books with curriculum activities for teachers Pr-K-5th grade. https://www.teacher-librarian-forlife...
See my blog for other winter-themed children's books with curriculum activities for teachers Pr-K-5th grade. https://www.teacher-librarian-forlife...
February 22, 2015
A good children's biography of Wilson Bentley who took photographs of snowflakes to educate people of the beauty and individuality of each snowflake. For further reading his book Snow Crystals, I believe, will have his photography.
January 29, 2008
This is the rather dry, slightly depressing story of a man who took photographs of snowflakes. It got the Caldecott Medal, though, so I guess I don't know nuthin'!
January 10, 2015
I am really over winter right now! So it was nice to read this book about a man who loved the beauty of winter and snowflakes! Beautiful story!
January 31, 2018
I had no idea about Snowflake Bentley! What a cool story!
September 24, 2019
**** Caldecott Medal (1999) ****
The first man to photograph snow crystals. Interesting in a way, but didn't really showcase the actual crystal pictures enough. Children will be bored.
The first man to photograph snow crystals. Interesting in a way, but didn't really showcase the actual crystal pictures enough. Children will be bored.
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