The Mitford Snowmen: A Christmas Story [Hardcover]

Jan Karon (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 2001

It's Christmastime in Mitford, and everyone's favorite characters are filled with holiday spirit. In The Mitford Snowmen, a swirling snowfall brings them to Main Street for a snowman-building contest complete with doughnuts, hot chocolate, and contagious good cheer. A charming small trim size and enchanting four-color illustrations make this the perfect way to visit Mitford—and gather a heart full of Christmas joy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Karon draws readers into a cozy Mitford short story centered around the town's familiar and beloved eccentrics. The plot is as fluffy as the snow falling outside the Main Street Grill, but this hardly matters; readers will find what they are looking for in the warmth of Mitford's imaginary setting. (Where else but Mitford could an entire town spontaneously stop its workday activities for an impromptu snowman-building contest?) Karon's trademark humor is much in evidence here, though the usual themes of personal faith are surprisingly absent; since this is a Christmas story, that lacuna is a bit disappointing.

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 23 pages
• Publisher: Viking Adult; 1St Edition edition (October 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0670030198
• ISBN-13: 978-0670030194
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 5.7 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #240,474 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Jan Karon is the author of the bestselling series of nine Mitford novels featuring Father Timothy Kavanagh, an Episcopal priest, and the fictional village of Mitford. Set in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Karon's Mitford books include At Home in Mitford; A Light in the Window; These High, Green Hills; Out to Canaan; A New Song; A Common Life: The Wedding Story; In This Mountain; Shepherd's Abiding; and Light from Heaven. The Father Tim Novels include "Home to Holly Springs" and last fall's release of "In the Company of Others," set in County Sligo, Ireland. There are over 40 million Mitford and Father Tim novels, childrens books, and CDs in print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

52 of 55 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Delicious dessert??, November 13, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: The Mitford Snowmen: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

This book bills itself by saying 'if you find the Mitford novels a feast, you'll find the Mitford Snowmen a delicious dessert.' That may be true but this dessert barely filled my back tooth. The type in the book covers 4' x 3.5' of the page and there are only 23 pages to the book! Of those 23 pages, 14 have type with the remaining being graphics designed to sell greeting cards. Of the 14 with type, 5 also have graphics and two are half pages. Skip the book and, with the money you save, buy yourself a real dessert.

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Can't make a snowman out of SLUSH!, November 17, 2001

By 

terry (West Bloomfield Michigan) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mitford Snowmen: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

Mama mia! I cannot believe one single soul( considering the number of people it takes to get a book into print and on the market) in the Jan Karon corner (including Jan herself!) did not have the honesty to say, "This isn't worth the paper it's written on."

Did the publisher actually think the fans of Jan Karon would accept such a...a...book? story? whatever? just because her name was on the cover??????

I thought after the disappointing WEDDING STORY (everyone is entitled to a "mistake" in judgement now and then) Karon's next tale would be on the caliber of BACK HOME IN MITFORD. This only goes to prove that even a good author and a very distinguished publishing house does not equal a good book.

Shame, shame on all those involved in the biggest sham this holiday season! Surely many of their Christmas "stockings" will be full of coal this year. Coal and slush!

Terry, a very disappointed reader

97 of 109 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Where's the Beef?, October 14, 2001

By 

TLee (Indiana, United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Mitford Snowmen: A Christmas Story (Hardcover)

Actually, what's the point? Where's the inspiration, or the punch line? Why bother? The best part of this book was the anticipation.

I rated this as one star only because a 0-star rating was not available. I have not been able to decide whether:
1) This is intended as a (very expensive) Christmas card that you buy for yourself, or
2) Is a rejected fragment of a chapter from books 1, 2, 3, or 4, or
3) Was written for "Highlights for Children" but erroneously printed as a book for adults, or
4) Is a crass money-making ploy by the publisher, or
5) Was actually written by Miss Rose, who put Jan Karon's name on the cover.

Don't get me wrong, I have read, listened to, and loved all of the Mitford series (though was somewhat disappointed by the "...Wedding Story"). This one hardly merits mention, compared to the others, and belongs on the cardrack at Hallmark with the Snoopy books.