From School Library Journal
Grade 2-4-Children who have not read the first book in this series will be totally confused by this one. Sarah finishes making her snowman but, instead of heading inside to do homework, she is drawn to The Magic Door Toyshop. It offers a connection to an alternate world called "the Kettles," about which nothing is explained except that it is a magical place. Apparently, Old Man Winter, who regulates the weather in the real world, is involved in a power struggle with Kudgel, who is trying to take over his job. Sarah stows away in Old Man Winter's wagon and finds herself in the Kettles, trying to rescue him, with the help of Jack Frost. Of course, they succeed. Much of the action is difficult to understand. The illustrations are absolutely beautiful. Done in lush colors, in the style of the Old Masters, with lovely detail, they are of exceptional quality, but they can't make up for a muddled story.
Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
Gr. 3-5. In this addition to the Magic Door series, fifth-graders Sarah and Michael are building a snowman, noting how intense the winter has been. Then, in front of the Magic Door Toyshop, Old Man Winter himself appears. His assistant, Kudgel, has taken over in the Great Kettles (islands across the Sea of Time), creating weather havoc, and the Old Man has come to the Outland--their name for this dimension--to fix it. Sarah stows away in his wagon for the return trip, meets the boyish Jack Frost, and helps rescue Old Man Winter from Kudgel's dastardly plan to become the Winter King. Morrissey's illustrations are gorgeously painted and generously imagined, with far more heft and weight than this wisp of a story. For fans of the series.
GraceAnne DeCandidoCopyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
