Snowballs
by Lois Ehlert
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company 2001
Great fit for 1st grade
Reading level and content both target K–3rd grade · ages 5–9
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Genre
Themes
- creativity
- family
- imagination
- nature
- seasons
- resourcefulness
- community
- winter fun
About this book
In this playful picture book, a family waits for the perfect snowfall to build a whole snow-person community using buttons, seeds, and other found treasures. Lois Ehlert’s bold collage art invites kids to look closely at everyday objects and imagine new possibilities. Simple, rhythmic text makes it a fun read-aloud for young listeners and emerging readers. Perfect for wintertime reading and sparking creativity outdoors.
Setting: a neighborhood on a snowy winter day
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snowballs right for my child?
Yes — Snowballs is a great fit for 1st grade. The reading level is AR 1.9, which is typical for 1st grade. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3), meaning the themes and content are designed for ages 5–9 (K–3rd grade). Themes include creativity, family, imagination.
How long does it take to read Snowballs?
At a typical 1st grade reading pace, Snowballs takes around 5m to finish. The book has 430 words. Slower or faster readers may vary significantly.
Does Snowballs have an AR quiz?
Yes — Snowballs has an AR quiz available, worth 0.5 points. Your child will need to take and pass the quiz through their school's Accelerated Reader program to earn credit. The quiz is typically 5–20 multiple choice questions about plot, characters, and setting.
What grade level is Snowballs?
Snowballs has an AR reading level of 1.9, which places it at a 1st grade reading difficulty. The interest level is rated Lower Grades (K–3) — this reflects the age-appropriateness of the content and themes, not just the reading difficulty. A strong younger reader may handle the words fine while the themes are aimed at an older audience, or vice versa.