The Snowman Storybook (Pictureback(R)) (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

PreSchool-K-- For some reason, Briggs has added words to his immortal wordless picture book about a small boy's nocturnal adventures with an all-too-mortal snowman. The result, to say the least, is disappointing. It features fewer pictures described in simple declarative sentences that relate the action but lose the potency of the narrative. Further, the story has been trimmed, and incidents adding texture to the original have been lost. Much of the snowman's characterization is gone; his gentle meeting with a cat has been cut, as have his telling fear of a lighted stove, his wonderment at the TV, and his bemusement at a pair of false teeth. All of his slapstick adventures with James's toys are gone; half of the flying journey has been eliminated. The bittersweet ending remains as Briggs allows James to make his discovery of his melted friend without comment, but much of its resonance is missing with the lost pictures. What is left is a simple, rather ordinary story of an adventure with a flying snowman suitable for preschoolers who might well have waited a bit longer until they were old enough to enjoy James's magical interlude in its fullest glory. --Christine Behrmann, New York Public Library
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

"[The pictures have] the hazy softness of air in snow. A little boy rushes
out into the wintry day to build a snowman, which comes alive in his
dreams that night. The experience is one that neither he nor young
‘readers’ will ever regret or forget."–Booklist, Starred

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers (July 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0679883436
• ISBN-13: 978-0679883432
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 7.6 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,772 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very simple and fun, July 10, 1998

By A Customer

A funloving snowman takes James flying through the moonlight air on a wild adventure. When James wakes up in the morning he checks on his snowman only to find that the sunlight has melted his friend. Becca AGE 6

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful wordless book!, August 6, 2009

By	S. Catherall "dachsie lover" (Marion, IA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

There is actually a video version of this book which uses as its only verbal element a beautiful old Celtic song. Anyway, this is a great book that will build the attention span and the imagination of the youngest child. A boy makes a snowman and he comes alive and comes into the boy's house. The snowman is curious about everything and he gets a bit melty over something hot, so he takes a refreshing break by lying down in a freezer:) Eventually the snowman takes the boy into the sky and up to the North Pole. The boy and the snowman enjoy the festivities there and then they come home. The next day the boy sees that the snowman has melted in the sun. The book pictures the ethereal nature of pleasurable experiences and encourages a "enjoy it while you have it" mentality which is a good lesson for us all if not taken too far. The story is illustrated by gently colored comic book format pictures. A treat!

4.0 out of 5 stars The Snowman Storybook, January 12, 2009

By	John Peiffer (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

The Snowman Storybook (Pictureback(R)) This makes an excellent companion to the DVD for nighttime reading with your child as it captures the primary story line with a reasonably short session without incoporating the picture sequence of the entire DVD.