Author Sheree Fitch and artist Janet Wilson give readers a dazzling new appreciation of snow in No Two Snowflakes. In a Christmas letter, Lou answers her Ghanaian penpal’s questions about snow, describing in a heartfelt way the magic and power of our most intriguing weather phenomenon.

Fitch is Canada’s new expert on winter. Her poetic, energetic language refreshingly captures the taste, feel, and shivery excitement of snow. Descriptive phrases such as “a bluesky day when the air is peppermint clean” will evoke happy memories in readers both young and old. Fitch’s creative word play (feathershapes, needlepoints, windwhipped, etc.) inspires readers to describe snow in their own words. Several activities inspired by the text are found at the back of the book. Also at the back, Fitch tells about her work with UNICEF, an organization that she thinks prizes the uniqueness of children. Fitch’s vitally important message is that the individuality in both snowflakes and people is a miracle.

This message is also celebrated in the work of artist Janet Wilson. A bright jumble of snow-suited children with frosted, pinchable cheeks fairly tumbles off most pages. Other quieter pastel pictures effectively contrast white snow with muted grey-blue backgrounds to convey the hushed effect of “a secret code left by rabbit paws.” The cover illustration of blond-haired Lou and dark-skinned Araba is very special; both girls are grinning with happiness on a page filled with a hundred beautiful, softly falling snowflakes, each unique. No Two Snowflakes will melt hearts long after the snow disappears.