Customer Reviews

Treasures of the Snow

5 star:		(24)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

This is a very good book. The author is obviously indebted to Johanna Spyri's Heidi, but in a good way. This book can be read aloud to children as young as 5, but young teenagers will also enjoy it. Be aware, though, that St. John's original text is out of print. What Moody and Scripture Union currently publish is an "updated" version--good if your child struggles with reading; but if your child is literate, get a used copy!

After having read the original Patricia St John's "Treasures of the Snow" and being delighted by its true and accurate presentation of Christianity, I ordered a new copy from Amazon published in 1999.
Upon receiving it, I was glad to see that it was larger print than the older copy I had read, but I noticed it was considerably thinner. I discovered that the new edition is a "Revised Edition" in which the language has been "sensitively adapted for today's young reader". Sadly, what this means is that the book has been DUMBED DOWN for the less intelligent reader of today. Comparing the original with the revised edition, I have found that the eloquent and detailed descriptions which made the book so rich have been rewritten or removed entirely! The wonderful rich vocabulary that I had hoped to share with my child has been modernized for the much lower intelligence levels of today's public school children. The Christian message is still there, but the impact of it is greatly diminished by these revisions.
I am greatly disappointed by this revised edition, and have found this to be the case with most of Patricia St. John's books.
If you buy this book, be sure to get a used out-of-print version. Don't waste your money on the revised editions!

When I was 9 years old I read this book. I didn't remember much about the story, but when I saw it in a book store all the warm feelings came flooding back, and I bought it to read to my daughters.

They have so enjoyed it! Our oldest is 8, and our youngest is 5, and we've had a difficult time getting the 5-year-old to sit through "chapter books". But she was enthralled from the start, especially because of the cat and the kittens!

It's a gentle story that depicts the love of Jesus in a simple way, without forcing it. It's just part of life, exactly as it's supposed to be.

A beautiful story that I'm sure my daughters will carry with them, too!

High in the Swiss Alps, three children are playing on the grassy slopes. Annette and Lucien are neighbors and live in Swiss chalets. Lucien is just thirteen and when Annette acts angrily towards him, he takes it out on her young brother Danny. After holding a kitten over a cliff, he drops the kitten (which lands a few feet below on a ledge) and Danny goes after it.

When Danny can't be found, Annette goes looking for Lucien who thinks Danny is dead. Lucien is beside himself with guilt and turns to an old woodcarver for encouragement. He learns to carve little wooden animals which he then intends to give to Danny. Annette is quite mean and destroys his woodwork and spreads gossip about him at school.

The charm of this story is the lessons the children learn. Will Annette learn to forgive or will bitterness consume her? This story has a sad beginning and an uplifting ending. The story has some surprises and we also find out who the old woodcarver really is. Both he and Lucien tell each other their secrets and in doing so, help to heal the lives of three families. There is also a movie distributed by Institute in Basic Life Principles which I would also recommend for children. As you read you can imagine the bell-jingling horses and sleighs in the winter.

~The Rebecca Review

I first read this book when I was in 3rd grade. It has always been my all time favorite book. I have now been an teacher for 14 years and it is has remained the only book I will always read to my class. It deals well with issues of pride, friendship, sacrifice, truth and growing up and draws the readers in from the very first chapter. My students always elect this as their favorite read aloud of the year - and I read a lot of classics to them! Try to read the original text. I always prefer these to the abridged versions. There is also a well done movie available! READ THIS BOOK and you will be greatly moved and impacted!

TREASURES OF THE SNOW is a beautifully written, engaging story. The characters come alive--if I ever visit the Alps, I almost expect to meet Annette, Dani, and Lucien sledding down the mountainside! The story captures the innocence of childhood and the joys found in little things, as well as the tremendous consequences of both hatred and forgiveness. It is one of those children's books that will impact the reader forever.

This book is vivid in its desciption of what the consequences are when we judge and do not forgive others. It explains equally as well what the healing power of repentance and forgiveness can bring as we heed the Saviors knock at the door. I found this book very uplifting and would recommend it to anyone.

Treasures of the Snow is a great book. I sat down and read it to our kids (11,8 & 5). They loved it and kept asking for "just one more chapter".

It reminds me of the movie Heidi as far as the setting. The love and wisdom of the grandmother is what I pray I will attain one day. It is a touching story of sin, anger, bad choices and redemption. God used a bad situation and turned it around for great good. Gpd can and will forgive every sin, no matter how bad, if we open the door to give Him a place in our heart.

I highly recommend this book!

This is a wonderful, well-worn book in my personal library that I read many times growing up. Not only is this book full of moral truths, but it is also a fun glimpse into the magical world of life in the Swiss Alps. I just recently re-read it as an adult and still love it!

This is a terrific book, made into a great film. It is set in Switzerland and is about neighbouring children involved in a simple quarrel that leads to disastarous consequences and a lot of heartache. During the book, we learn about the importance of forgiveness, the desire for Christ to enter our lives and the fact that the Lord works in mysterious ways.