Customer Reviews

Girl from the Snow Country (Cranky Nell Book)

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The beautifully illustrated children's story of a young Japanese girl, Mi-chan, and her quest to find bright red eyes for the cute bunnies she made out of snow. Mi-chan walks through the lovely, soft snow with her mother to the local market. Here they purchase crabs to eat and little rice flour dogs to guard the house. Mi-chan receives a branch of pretty red berries for her snow bunnies. On the way home, they stop in the falling snow to bow in thanks at the stone statue of Jizo, the protector of children and travelers.

The words are very simple, with just enough there to follow the tale. Most of the story is told in pictures, which makes it suitable for young children. The sparse language is nonetheless beautiful--and really, it makes it easy for children to feel at home in a story from another culture. Everything makes sense, even if little is explained. There is just enough to inspire curiosity and a sense of wonder and beauty.

The people are colorful and real, and the depictions of the market womens' stands are simply amazing. Crabs, snow, and flowers have never looked so wonderful. Color is used in exactly the right places. These are pictures that kids will love, and probably never forget.