PreSchool-Grade 1-After the season's first meager snowfall, Harry carefully gathers the snow and fashions a tiny snow king. His older sister is predictably scornful, especially after the sculpture disappears, and the boy is convinced that it was "kidnapped." Kind Mr. Oakley encourages Harry to remain optimistic and suggests that the snow king went to order more snow. The child's trust is rewarded not only by a substantial storm overnight, but also by a gathering of snow people in his yard. Reynolds ably reveals characters' emotions and interactions through posture and facial expressions. The rural setting provides ample space for the burgeoning population of snow figures. A few words and details reveal the book's British origin. The element of mystery in the snow people's presence perfectly captures the wonder and delight generated by winter's first major snow.
Kathy Piehl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
From Kirkus Reviews
A sidelong fantasy from Whybrow with great charm, not the least of which are Reynolds's poignant illustrations of a boy, the first snowfall, and the tiny snow king he creates. Harry has been waiting for the season's first snow; when it comes, it's quite modest, so Harry hunts and gathers enough snow (scraping leaves, gathering a stray drift) to make a foot-tall snow king, decked out with holly berries and a crown of autumn-crisp leaves. Harry's older sister, Sam chides him, dismissing the small pile of snow that Harry is carrying around on a plate. After lunch, when Harry goes outside, the snow king has disappearedkidnapped in Harry's eyes, although readers will guess that the snow has melted. Harry suspects Sam of foul play, but she has been parked in front of the television. Mr. Oakley, driving by later on his tractor, suggests that the snow king might have gone to order more snow. The next day Harry awakens to plenty of snow and a whole community of big and small snowpeople; Mr. Oakley presents evidence (berries and the crown of leaves) that the snow king was party to the proceedings. Harry gets the first tractor tow of the winter on his sled; Sam is too busy with the television. A truly pleasing story, with Harry and Sam's everyday contentiousness tempering the half-oblique magical elements. Reynolds's illustrations recall the works of Charlotte Voake and Bob Graham, with the tilt of a head or dash of an eyebrow conveying weighty emotions indeed. (Picture book. 4-8) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
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