Being the best at something isn't just about bragging, it takes practice! Owl learns this the hard way.
The illustrations by the author are delightful, imaginative and FUN done in brilliant colors. Well suited for reading alone or WITH someone of any age, including ESL, and great for gifting to everyone, but especially to a school, waiting room, or your local public library!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital Galley on Thorium PDF from Capstone | Capstone Editions via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 01, 2025 *****review
#TheBigSnowdown by @katy_hudson_illustration @capstonepub @childrensbookcouncil @goodreads #picturebookart #kidlit #picturebook #illustration #childrensbooks #imagination #bookbub #noboasting #practice #competition #friends #learningopportunity

This was a really thorough take on the Tortoise and the Hare. It covered that NOT ONLY does not practicing lead to not succeeding, but also that natural skill will only get you so far and that OTHER PEOPLE deserve to win. Often stories like this focus entirely on the main character not winning and how they feel about that, which if valid, but leave out that the winners earned their success and deserve their praise. The illustrations were lovely, and this would be a great story time book. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for letting me read

My three year old daughter and I have been a huge fan of Katy Hudson and her books for a long time. This one is no exception! This tells the story of Owl, who always wins the Big Snowdown games. His goal is to do the same this year. Or will he learn an even greater lesson about the true meaning of winning? As always with Katy's books, it's a delightful story that is enjoyable and engaging for children. It has a great lesson, conveyed in a fun story, that could easily spark discussion between parents and children on the greater meaning of winning. The illustrations are also stunning and my daughter loved spotting other characters from previous books in the pictures. My daughter is a huge fan of this book, and so am I. I definitely recommend!

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!