The Friendly Snowflake: A Fable of Faith, Love, and Family (Ariel Books) [Hardcover]

M. Scott Peck (Author), Christopher Scott Peck (Illustrator)

Book Description

Series: Ariel Books

On a walk in a meadow near her home, Jenny encounters a friendly snowflake named Harry, whose arrival opens up a world of ideas, questions, spiritual exploration, and discovery for Jenny. All ages.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

For his first foray into children's book writing, bestselling author Peck ( The Road Less Traveled ) has concocted a slender, self-conscious story. A snowflake lands on young Jenny's nose and she names it Harry. This seemingly insignificant happening causes the reflective child to ponder the concepts of chance, the soul and the interrelatedness of all things. In what often seems like a Sunday school tableau, Jenny's parents are endlessly didactic. (Her father, for instance, says, "Some questions are so big you shouldn't take anyone else's answer for them.") The reader is left with the final image of a small stream leading to a river leading to the ocean; Jenny wonders if this is like veins leading to a human heart. Don't expect youngsters to sit through this prattle more than once. Similar universal themes have been more thoughtfully hidden--and/or revealed--to better effect in other works. In his illustrative debut, Christopher Peck's delicately attractive pictures are sprinkled throughout the text. All ages.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About the Author

M. Scott Peck is the author of the extraordinarily successful series of The Road Less Traveled books and other inspirational titles. He also authored Abounding Grace, which sold 40,000 copies in its first three months. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 39 pages
• Publisher: Turner Pub; 1st edition (October 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1878685287
• ISBN-13: 978-1878685285
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.1 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,644,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A little celebration of the good things..., July 9, 2003

By 

Cipriano "www.bookpuddle.blogspot.com" (Planet Claire) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Friendly Snowflake (Hardcover)

It is significant to be aware of the subtitle of this little "kid's" book... "A Fable of Faith, Love and Family." And perhaps important to know just a bit about the author, M. Scott Peck... bestselling author of the near-legendary "The Road Less Travelled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth."
This is the only children's book that Mr. Peck has written to date, and after reading it, I hope it will not be his last. It was cute, uplifting, and inspirational. However, these last two adjectives may describe the very kind of thing that parents feel wary about from time to time... "So, what is this guy preaching in here?" they may rightfully ask.
Well, this little book does touch on some rather serious questions.
Things like "What's reincarnation?" and "How do you know that our souls live on after we die?" Both questions are asked by the protagonist, the young girl Jenny.
The first question is answered matter-of-factly, but the second question is answered in the typical respectful and non-sectarian way that Peck approaches spiritual issues in all of his works. Jenny's dad answers her... "That's a very big question. In fact, it's so big I'm not going to answer it. You see, some questions are so big you shouldn't take anyone else's answer for them. It's better if you figure out your own. Often, I think that's why we're put here: to find some solutions for ourselves. I tell you what though, I'd be delighted to listen to any answer you come up with." (with "you" in italics).
In my opinion... this is a good answer to the question. You may have a different opinion on that, and you should let that be your guide as to whether this is the type of book you want to read to your children. (Or not)! Because really, this is the tone of the story, in a nutshell.
It is framed around the event of Jenny having a single snowflake land on her nose and promptly melt. This simple experience causes her to begin wondering about randomness, and consequently, her own special place in the world. She comes to the point of concluding that she is, in fact... special, and unique. As unique as a snowflake, and more specifically her own friendly snowflake, the snowflake that found her nose.
In the Foreword, Peck says "Being who I am, this is naturally a spiritual sort of story. It is meant to be read in such a way by young people with old souls and older people with young souls."
I, being one of these latter type, truly enjoyed it. As soon as I meet one of these former type of person, I am going to give them this book as a gift.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Adorable Story for Children & Adults Alike, December 20, 2006

By 

Katie "book worm" (PA , USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Friendly Snowflake (Hardcover)

"The Friendly Snowflake" is an adorable story about a young girls "friendship" with a snowflake & what she ultimately learned about life because of it.

The types of spiritual issues brought up in this book definitely follow Mr. Peck's previous "adult" books, like "The Road Less Traveled" - therefore, it may not be right for everyone. Some of the types of "issues"/"lessons" that are discussed include: reincarnation, the underlying connection of us to each other & ultimately to all things, and choosing to find your own answers to lifes' mysteries.

Overall, I found this to be a cute way to discuss such ideas with children. As such, I would highly recommend it for those who would like to begin teaching their children about such things as connection, reincarnation, and searching for their own answers.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a great little gift for anyone, March 15, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Friendly Snowflake (Hardcover)

i gave this book as a christmas gift to many of my friends; they absolutely love this inspirational little story! it's very charming! the story is roughly about reicarnation, and believing that we are all connected in life. i love this little book, and the cover design is excellent. the book cover is a thick parchment paper like material with embossed lettering. this is the type of book you can read to your kids at bedtime, or read in the bathtub by yourself for a quick picker upper!