Squirrel has never seen it snow, and this year he is determined not to miss it. He wants his friends to see it too, but it's hard to stay awake. Finally, winter arrives and snow is falling, or is it?


“In ‘Waiting for Winter,’ the brilliant pencil work of the author and artist Sebastian Meschenmoser brings to sketchy, scratchy life a charming, idiosyncratic character. Squirrel is as unkempt and uncombed as a parent on Sunday morning, but as innocently impulsive as a child bouncing on the bed.”

Read the entire review at The New York Times Book Review,November 6, 2009. (Also listed as an Editors’ Choice, The New York Times Book Review, November 11, 2009)

Squirrel usually sleeps through winter, “but not this year!” The rumpled red squirrel is determined to see snow but waiting gets pretty boring. Fresh air and exercise help, as does the companionship of Hedgehog, with whom he sings sea shanties, and Bear, who helps them look for snow. Meschenmoser’s minimalist text provides just enough support for his laugh-out-loud illustrations, rendered in swift, penciled lines on creamy white space. Squirrel’s red coat provides a spot of color against the autumnal grays and sepias used to sketch out the trees and the other animals. He packs a wealth of expression into each animal’s face without venturing into heavy anthropomorphism. Readers will howl at the animals’ mistaken notions of snow, and they’ll sigh with satisfaction at the just-cozy-enough end. A perfect marriage of words and pictures. Starred review, Kirkus Reviews


“Like furry slapstick comedians, a squirrel, hedgehog and bear make one sweet goof after another as they look for the first snowflake of winter. Told that it will be “white and wet and cold and soft,” they put off hibernating and begin to search. Hedgehog holds up his discovery in triumph: it’s a toothbrush (“Winter will be wonderful,” Hedgehog thinks, as the next page shows the animal delighting in a shower of white toothbrushes against an inky sky). Squirrel is convinced that a tin can is the first snowflake, and Bear appears with an old white sock. Meschenmosher (Learning to Fly) sketches freely on white pages in dark gray and sepia, drawing with casual grace and unerring comic instinct. Squirrel’s reddish hair springs forth frenetically, Hedgehog’s prickles look untidy and sleepy, and Bear’s luxurious fur hangs over his eyebrows, making him look even grumpier. Giggles and guffaws will abound (three whole spreads are devoted to Squirrel and Hedgehog belting out sea shanties to keep themselves awake). The moment when the snow really does begin to fall is worth waiting for, too. A quiet, atmospheric and offbeat treasure." Starred Review Publishers Weekly, September 21, 2009

"The illustrations are deftly drawn in colored pencils, complete with sketching lines that give the renderings depth and maturity. The addition of broadly stroked hues of azure paint when the snow arrives will startle and delight young readers as it makes the white space of the page really come to life. This is a beautiful title to share with children on a lap or with a small group." School Library Journal, September, 2009

"This book is perfect.” Curled Up With a Good Kids Book, September, 2009

“It is smart, clever, beautifully illustrated, and downright funny. Each season there is one good ‘snow’ book that comes out for kids. This book should be considered the good snow book of this and any other year. Read it!
Meschenmoser is our man and if ever there was a book of his deserving of our attention it is Waiting for Winter. Touching and funny by turns, this turns out to be not only an idea winter tale, but also a perfect bedtime story too. For any kid who has ever tried to stay awake for an important event, this tale rings true. A must purchase. Can't talk it up enough.” - A Fuse #8 Production/School and Library Journal

“…This book captures a feeling of surprise that I have seen only in the faces of children who have moved from the south to the north and experience snow for the first time. With imagination, humor and beauty, this book is a subtle wonder.” - PlanetEsme

“I fell in love with this book from the minute I read it…” – Lynn Rutan, Bookends

“…one of my favorite – if not, my very favorite – picture books of 2009…” – 7 Impossible Things before Breakfast