This snowy Saturday afternoon has brought to mind a couple of scenes from nineteenth-century children's books in the Rare Book Division. First, a scene of "Wintervergnügen" (winter fun) from Jugendspiele zur Erholung und Erheiterung (Tilsit, 1846). This is a two-volume work, one devoted to girls and one to boys. Sledding is categorized as one of the boys' games (Knabenspiele), but of course that needn't stop ladies of all ages from joining in.

And next — since it is Caturday after all — here's a cat hunting on a wintry day. This wood engraving is from Noch funfzig Fabeln für Kinder (Hamburg, 1837), a book of illustrated fables for children.

Enjoy these snowy last days of 2012 as much as these children and this cat. Happy new year!