Snow Riders (Paperback)

~ (Author), Mary Whyte (Illustrator) "It was almost bedtime..." (more)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Ages 3^-6. A brother and sister spend the day making huge snow horses "with eyes and ears and flowing manes and tails." Later that night, they sneak out and mount the horses, and to their astonishment, the glistening snow beasts spring to life. McGeorge's writing is filled with action, excitement, and descriptive words that breathe life into the story, but Whyte's dynamic watercolor illustrations are what steal the show. The night scenes are truly spectacular: intense blues, violets, and forest greens flow together to form a rich, dark foil for the brilliant white horses. An enchanting wintertime story, this can be combined with Raymond Briggs' wordless picture-book classic The Snowman (1978), which is similar in theme and content, to stir imaginations on a snowy day. Lauren Peterson --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Review

A very good story thumbs up. American Bookseller

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 4-8
  
• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Chronicle Books (July 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0811824640
• ISBN-13: 978-0811824644
• Product Dimensions: 10.8 x 8.3 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #99,401 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Magic of Winter, October 13, 2002

By	Terrie (Little Chute, WI USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Every child knows that snow is magical. Remember waking up after snow had fallen during the night and just being able to FEEL that it had snowed without even looking? Remember it's crispy crunch under your boots? Remember how brilliant and flickering the stars were on a cold winter's night with the wind hushing in the pine trees? If you can remember these things this book will happily transport you back to those magical days. If you don't have snow memories then you had better read this book and make some! Children will love this and readily relate to its magical spell because they know all things are possible with snow. The story begins as Matthew sees the first feathery flakes of a snowfall and he and his sister, Molly, speculate about school being cancelled the next morning. Sure enough, a deep blanket of snow falls during the night and school is called off. The creative kids build a pair of snow horses rather than snowmen. (From the gorgeous double spread watercolor paintings you can see how to craft these beauties yourself and there's not any heavy lifting like there is with a tall snowman.) At night, Matthew and Molly slip outside and mount their horses, holding imaginary reins. Much to their delight the horses come to life and take them on an incredible moonlit ride through the snowy wonderland of a moonlit winter landscape. I grew up in Ohio where the artist grew up and where the author currently lives and it is certainly magical the way these two have captured every nuance of a snowy winter, the sounds, silences, smells and textures, the cold and the exhilaration. They both remember childhood so clearly and we find it springing off the pages of this wonderful book, astride two snow white horses with shaggy fetlocks and flying manes and tails. Share this joyful book with your kids and get out there, if you're lucky enough, and build a couple of snow horses, too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Love of horses and snow, December 20, 2006

By	Learning Abilities Books - See all my reviews

What a charming way to combine a child's love of horses and snow. The illustrations are like riding in a winter wonderland. It is great for kids who love snow and for kids in warmer climates who can only imagine playing in the snow. Children can use stories like this to write their own fantasies and to explore artistic abilities. This book works well with 10,000 White Horses, a book in poetic prose where a child pretends to ride white horses rising out of the sea foam. Excerpts are on my website. It is available there and at Amazon.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Mommy, do you think that REALLY happens ?, November 30, 2002

By A Customer

A book that will keep your child wondering if snow ponies really DO come alive when night comes along...... the kids loved it and I loved reading it with them.