When Claire draws winter as the season she must write a report on, she's disappointed. After all, in Hawaii, it's not like she imagines it to be in much of the world. When her father takes the family to the top of Mauna Kea after a snow storm, the experience isn't what she expected. As she and her family try making a snowman, snowballs, and try sledding on an inner tube, she can't help but imagine what 'real' snow in winter would be like. Later that day, the family enjoys time at their favorite beach where Claire helps make a sand man, throws sand balls at her brother, and realizes how fortunate she is to live where she does. This book is very nicely illustrated, makes the point that appreciating where you live, while respecting the environment, is important, and highlights plants and creatures native to Hawaii. I'm sharing it with my eight year old granddaughter who takes snow for granted. ( )