Snow

Our picture book for October is the delightful Snow, by Sam Usher.

Every child loves a snow day – no school and snowball fights galore! But Boy has to wait for his Grandad. Trying to hurry him up, Sam tells Grandad all the other kids have gone to the park...and all the local dogs...and all the zoo animals!

Only when they finally arrive does Grandad see Sam was telling the truth – and both of them get stuck in having fun on their very own snow day!

Snow is the perfect book for Christmas, celebrating the special bond between children and their grandparents. With Sam Usher’s gloriously funny illustrations you can bring the fun of snow days to life - and with a beautiful debossed cover, Snow begs to be picked up and enjoyed by everyone this year.

Sam Usher studied illustration, graduating in 2008. His first book; Can You See Sassoon? was long-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal and shortlisted for both the Red House Children’s Book Award and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.

Here's Sam on the inspiration for Snow...

Dear Gransnet,

I thought you'd like to know about my interesting living arrangement, and how it inspired my book.

A few years ago, after leaving art school, and after the publication of my first book Can You See Sassoon? I decided I needed to live in London, but instead of moving in with friends, I thought I'd do something more interesting: I thought - who might be lonely? With a bit of extra space? And could do with some assistance to have a better quality of life? Older people! So I placed an advert in the Lady magazine and the London Review of Books, looking for an older person to live with.

Amazingly, I received a reply and arranged to move in with an American gentleman in his late 80s. That happened in 2012 and I've been there since. My jobs are to take him to galleries, concerts and museums, and to cook his supper three times a week. In return I have a place to write my books and somewhere to live.

Snow emerged as a tribute to my Ancient Housemate - a thank you for having the open-mindedness to allow a complete stranger to move in with him - something that changed both of our lives.

Thank you for choosing Snow as book of the month!

You can follow Sam on Twitter: @SamuelUsher 

Snow is published by Templar and available online and from all good booksellers.