Recess at 20 Below, Revised Edition. Cindy Lou Aillaud

      For all the children who opened my eyes to the possibilities in my own backyard.

      A great big hug and thank you to my husband, Whit and my two sons, Jason and Brian, for always being there with your love, support, encouragement, and patience. I am also thankful to all my dear friends that offered assistance when needed. I am forever grateful to my parents, Ron and Lola May Petett, for sending me outside to play! A special thanks to all the children who enjoy Recess at 20 Below.

      Text and photos © 2005 Cindy Lou Aillaud

      Editor: Michelle McCann

      All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical,including photocopying, recording, or any information storage andretrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

      First printing of revised edition 2019

      Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is on file

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      Map by Crystal Finn and Mrs. Aillaud

      The cold takes my breath away and makes the inside of my nose stick together, so I tug my scarf up all the way to my eyes. The snow on the ground sparkles like diamonds and the air is filled with tiny ice crystals twinkling out of the sky.

      Crunch! Crunch! Crunch! When I walk it sounds like I’m wading through a bag of potato chips. No chance of sneaking up on anyone in this stuff.

      I live in Alaska, right along the Alaska Highway. Winter lasts a long, long time here. It seems like forever, but really there’s only snow on the ground from September until April. But sometimes we get a snowstorm in May or even in August.

      At our schoolwe go out for recess even when itis 20 degrees below zero. We have to wear a LOT of clothes when it gets that freezy.