*This publication of Stopping by Woods on a Snowing Evening by Robert Frost (1923, 1969) is illustrated by Susan Jeffers (1978, 2001) Her stunning painting of snow covered trees and wildlife in a forest are as beautiful as I've always seen her picture book illustrations. She offers meaningful context for this famous poem. She gives us a elderly gentleman bundled up in a red plaid coat, green striped scarf, and blue blanket with gold stars driving a one-horse sleigh. This man is happy to ride through this winter wonderland. When he stops "without a farmhouse near", he plops into the snow to make a snow angel. When his curious horse "gives his harness bells a shake", this gentleman has unloaded a armful of hay from the back of his sled. He carries it and a large bag of seed into the woods that "are lovely, dark and deep. . ." Now Jeffers can call upon her skills at depicting wildlife. Deer and birds, rabbits, chipmunk, and squirrel feast upon this gift. An author's note at the back describes briefly how her mother taught her to paint. While painting the illustrations for this book, she was living on a small farm in the midst of snowy fields.
