Owl is top dog. They have always been the top of the chain. The biggest baddest predator there is. An owl knows that they are the best at everything. The winter games are here and now it’s time to prove it. Except owl does not prove it. Owl loses at everything. All because owl did not take time to learn and get better. They just assumed. The story is great, and the artwork is amazing. I would like to see more books by this illustrator in this style. Even if it’s more tales of owl or the other forest creatures. Altogether, this was a joy to read and I think kids will love it and adults will love the message.

I really liked this and would get it for my little. I love it shows that you can have confidence, but it doesn't necessarily mean you don't have to try at doing your best. I also enjoyed the illustration style as it made it feel cozy like winter!

We really enjoyed this, we are familiar with Katy’s books and this will be a new favorite. My kids (5 and 7) are getting a little old but really enjoyed this and would give it as a gift to younger kids!

This book is a whimsical delight! I’m actually quite smitten with this book.

A tale of an arrogant owl, friendship, self-awareness and the importance of hard work… this has quickly become one of our favourites for the children to pick up at bedtime. I think any exhausted parent will appreciate what a treat it is when the kids love books that we enjoy too!

Full of superb illustrations and writing that earns cackles from the audience when performed with the appropriate theatrics - this is the perfect addition for any wintery bookshelf.

This was such an amazing children’s book. The illustrations are detailed and so cute, with lots to see and discuss in each picture.

The story itself was just wonderful. At first I worried it might be a little young for my 7 years old but I needn’t have. Both she and her 5 year old brother were so invested in the story, in Owl’s journey and Owl’s realisation at the end.

It has such a great message that my children really took in and it gave us lots to talk about during the story and at the end. A book I can see us reading again and again. Fantastic!

In the words of my 7 year old “We loved it because it had a message that said you can’t always get what you want if you don’t try hard. It was so calm and soothing” ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My 5 year old wanted to give 10 !

Thank you to Netgally for this arc which we thoroughly enjoyed!

I loved this one. It has great theming, and I loved all the characters. The illustrations are adorable. I'd highly recommend this book. It was a lot of fun to read.

This story is so cute! 5/5 for me
This is something I would read to my students and my own children to reinforce that we have to work on things over and over and practice. None of us are good at something the first time we do it or just because we're human we are good at something.
This would make a really cute gift as well as a read aloud story!

This book did a great job of showing how hard work is needed in order to be successful at things. The winter theme will be enjoyed by children.

This cozy competition tale is packed with snowy shenanigans and sweet surprises—perfect for readers who love found-family energy and woodland friends. Think Zootopia meets a snowball fight. Also the artwork was done so well!

The Big Snowdown was such a cute read! The illustrations really brought the story to life and help portray the character emotions perfectly!

This is the start of winter games for the woodland creatures. The woodland creatures are so cute and fun. It teaches children about sportsmanship and winning/losing.

I received an advance reader copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Big Snowdown is a fun picture book for children about the importance of working hard at what you want instead of just expecting it to be handed to you.
Owl thinks that he is the best at everything and thinks he has the annual Big Showdown competition in the bag. When each even takes place, Owl puts the least effort in expecting to win, only to be disappointed when someone beats him. By the end of the event, Owl wins nothing and retreats to his home, where he contemplates how it went so wrong. He comes to realise that his friends were all deserving of their wins because over the past year, they had practised and worked hard at each event to become better and better. The book then shows Owl working with other animals at each event over the next year to become better ready for the next Big Snowdown.
This is a great story to teach children that even if they are good at something, they can always improve, and by not practising and putting in effort, others can become better than them.

Thank you Netgalley for an eARC!

Loved so many aspects of this book! The illustrations are whimsical and fun for the reader to look at, and find cute things hidden. The writing style flowed and was easy, not too long on each pace. This is Important for young readers to keep interest! My toddler caught on to the “moral” of the story quickly and it was a great time to talk about the concept for confidence vs. arrogant.
I think this is a concept that I don’t see often in children’s books and I enjoyed that.
This book could be read any time of year although Greta for a winter theme.

Will be buying when released!!

You will laugh out loud watching Owl try to wing her way through a serious of Winter sports - this will have a spot on our Favorites shelf! The illustrations and the text are equally wonderful!

Thanks to NetGalley for the free eARC.

This is a cute one with a worthwhile lesson - basically perfect for preschool storytime! Owl has always been the best at everything, so she opts NOT to practice for all of the snowdown competitions. But she ends up having the worst day ever! It's so unfair that Owl is good at everything, but the other animals keep winning instead. Maybe...she needs to practice too!

I loved the owl illustrations here - the horns of feathers that look like perfectly bratty pigtails!

The Big Snowdown was such a cute read!! I was so invested in the outcome. The characters were so wholesome. I enjoyed reading about Owls journey through failure, their acceptance of their friend’s victories, and the realisation that hard work pays off.

The illustrations were so well done too! I loved exploring each page and what it had to offer.

I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was a cute book. I loved the illustrations. The message that you need to work hard to accomplish things is important for kids to hear. A very cute storytime read!

I absolutely loved this book! First, when you live in a place that has at least 6 months of winter like Maine, a story about doing fun things outdoors with with friends in the snow is something we can all relate to. Second, the illustrations are absolutely fabulous, so colorful and creative with lots of interesting details that beg a closer look, which is great for older children (and adults!) but also very appealing to younger children. Names like owl, mouse and frog are mostly neutral in terms of gender, race and culture allowing the reader to focus on the story and the lesson to be learned! I look forward to reading this book to toddlers as well as sharing it with early elementary school children.

I CANNOT WAIT to get this for our Library this Fall!

Owl is the Apex Predator, the Number 1 in the woods and rightfully so… or so she thinks. The Big Snowdown is a series of competitions among the woodland creatures. Owl knows she’s going to come out on top, right? A great lesson in humility and friendship.

I have been such a fan of Katy Hudson’s books. They are funny and witty and always a laugh out loud. I also enjoy the “hidden details” in the backdrops of each page.

Preorder it now ! Perfect addition to your winter picture book collection.

Thanks to NetGalley and Capstone for this ARC. All opinions are my own.

#TheBigSnowdown #NetGalley

Lovely illustrations and a very powerful and important message. This is a great choice for teaching children about humility—something we can all use a refresher on every now and then.