The Snow Cat

by Dayal Kaur Khalsa

This is a charming and poignant tale of Elsie, a girl who lives alone in the woods. Praying for a companion, she is sent a cat made of snow and is told not to let it inside. Elsie plays with the cat and they quickly become friends, exploring the woods and marvelling at the wonders of the northern sky. But after parting for the night, Elsie is too lonely, so she lets the cat inside to lie by the fire. Sure enough, the snow cat melts, and in the morning Elsie discovers the water has run down a hill until it gathered to become a pond in the shape of a cat, where the girl plays all year long, and the pond sparkles “like a diamond in the sun.”

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Cats

24 pages, Paperback

First published September 28, 1992

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite philosophical and metaphorical for a children's book. A girl wanted a cat to keep her company, God made her a cat out of snow but warned her not to bring it inside (as it would melt). She doesn't heed his warning and the cat melts into a pond. She can still enjoy the cat, but not in the same way as the cat's previous form - but Snow Cat lives on to this day keeping watch over the valley where the girl lives.

[Hilary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Text has a cadence perfect for read-aloud. Pix were what prompted the book, but are primitive and while adequate, not in a style that appeals to me. Would love to see this re-issued with new illustrations.

[Peacegal · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bold, childlike illustrations and a bit of surrealism in a fairy tale-like story.