Snow Leopard

Publishers Weekly - Publisher's Weekly

A feast more for the eyes than for the ears, this admirably researched story introduces a thirsting deer who steals away anxiously to a nearby lake, leaving her three-day-old fawn. Though she is absent only briefly, fear and uncertainty envelop her like the thickening mist in the forest. She returns barely in time to rescue her fawn from a mother fox hunting a meal for her two hungry cubs. Butler's lifelike illustrations, worked with gouache, watercolors and air brush, capture uncanny details even as they suggest the diffuse, vapory air of the damp forest. Their intimacy and nobility pose a challenge to language; first-time author Radcliffe's diction is precise and unadorned, clearly supporting the artist's work, and the layout reflects this subordination of text. The author's and the artist's understanding of wildlife behavior and habitats shines through--their nature tale has both drama and integrity. Ages 2-6. (June)

Children's Literature - Susie Wilde

Nonfiction and fiction blend in the story of Samu, a mother snow leopard who has difficulty finding food for herself and her cub, Ka, in an early winter snow. They are forced to begin a perilous journey, avoiding wolves and treacherous mountain cliffs. The story ends with Samu gazing into a valley filled with sheep that will nourish her and her child. The Snow Leopard will help young children understand the plight of wild animals and explain the concept of survival of the fittest. The illustrations by Butler reflect his keen eye and interest in natural history.

School Library Journal

Gr 1-3-Another eye-catching presentation from the creators of Shadow the Deer (Viking, 1993). The simple, yet descriptive, slightly anthropomorphized narrative includes many dramatic elements of animal adventure stories-the mother protecting her cub, battling against adverse weather conditions, and constantly struggling to find food. The book concludes optimistically as the female snow leopard stalks sheep in the valley at the end of this arduous journey. Double-page paintings immerse readers in the desolate, wintery habitat (identified in the flap copy as Nepal, but never mentioned in the text). The cats at rest, on alert, and trudging through the snow are realistically portrayed. Light and shadow allow their coats to appear in tones from tawny to silvery gray as they traverse rocky and snow-covered terrain. Unfortunately, while the italic typeface enhances the overall beauty of the book, it may be somewhat difficult for children to read. Nevertheless, this title will attract youngsters wishing to experience the adventures of creatures in the wild.-Diane Nunn, Richard E. Byrd Elementary School, Glen Rock, NJ