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Snow & Rose
A New York Times bestselling author-illustrator brings readers into the woods to meet two young sisters and a strange bit of magic in this reimagining of the classic but little-known fairy tale "Snow White and Rose Red."
Snow and Rose didn't know they were in a fairy tale. People never do....
Once, they lived in a big house with spectacular gardens and an army of servants.
Once, they had a father and mother who loved them more than the sun and moon.
But that was before their father disappeared into the woods and their mother disappeared into sorrow.
This is the story of two sisters and the enchanted woods that have been waiting for them to break a set of terrible spells.
Bestselling author-illustrator Emily Winfield Martin has created a world that sits on the border of enchantment, with characters who are grounded in real emotions that readers will recognize in themselves.
Snow and Rose didn't know they were in a fairy tale. People never do....
Once, they lived in a big house with spectacular gardens and an army of servants.
Once, they had a father and mother who loved them more than the sun and moon.
But that was before their father disappeared into the woods and their mother disappeared into sorrow.
This is the story of two sisters and the enchanted woods that have been waiting for them to break a set of terrible spells.
Bestselling author-illustrator Emily Winfield Martin has created a world that sits on the border of enchantment, with characters who are grounded in real emotions that readers will recognize in themselves.
213 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 10, 2017
359 people are currently reading
15183 people want to read
About the author
Emily Winfield Martin
17 books538 followersEmily Winfield Martin makes paintings, books, and other things. When she was small, she spent every moment drawing, reading, dressing rabbits in fancy clothes, and having many peculiar daydreams. When she grew up, she began to illustrate those peculiar daydreams, and after college, she created a cottage industry called The Black Apple, which sells all manner of art and etceteras.
She works in a tiny nook of a studio filled with old children's books, wind-up toys, and stacks of fabric. Her work is inspired by fairy tales, music, myths, carnivals, children's books from the late 19th through mid 20th century, her favorite films, and autobiography.
She likes bears and sea monsters and seashell pink poppies. She lives and works among the giant fir trees of Portland, OR.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theblackapple
She works in a tiny nook of a studio filled with old children's books, wind-up toys, and stacks of fabric. Her work is inspired by fairy tales, music, myths, carnivals, children's books from the late 19th through mid 20th century, her favorite films, and autobiography.
She likes bears and sea monsters and seashell pink poppies. She lives and works among the giant fir trees of Portland, OR.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/theblackapple
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,738 reviews
October 28, 2025
Snow and Rose once had the perfect family - a beautifully grand house, a loving mother and an adoring father.
Snow and Rose didn't know that they were living in a fairy tale--people never do.
But then one day, their father disappeared.
He went into the woods and never came back. And without their nobleman father, their gorgeous home soon was taken.
And their mother quickly faded from grief.
The only way is the scary way.And so Snow and Rose head out into the woods - determined to save their family, no matter what.
'To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said, 'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader.'I absolutely adored this story.
I'm a huge fan of fairytale retellings in general, and this one was no exception.
Much like many old stories, we go from event to event with things "just happening" at each place. The secondary characters aren't super fleshed out and the magic had that inexplicable quality to it.
And yet, this worked really well. The author did a great job of giving this story an old-timey fairy-tale vibe.
I feel like so many kids in stories become too precocious or too old for their ages but Snow and Rose, both not even teenagers, felt realistic.
They both had such distinct personalities and they truly were a delight to read.
Also, the illustrations are absolutely beautiful - they truly lifted this book to a new level!
All in all, I liked that this book! Quite a gorgeous retelling of a classic tale.
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May 7, 2018
Snow & Rose by Emily Winfield Martin is an enchanting retelling of "Snow-White and Rose-Red". As soon as we saw this at the bookstore we quickly snatched it up. I've always admired retellings and this is one of my favorites.
Snow and Rose are daughters born to a nobleman. Their mother, from a common family, was a painter and sculptor. Their parents loved each other and loved their daughters more than anything. At one point, Snow and Rose had everything they wanted, including a beautiful home and garden, plenty of fancy dresses to wear, dolls, and a cute cat named Earl Grey. That is, until the day their father disappears into the woods and doesn't return.
Without their father everything became difficult and their mother struggled to do much of anything. She was sad and had no interest like she used to. As everything is taken away, they eventually move into a cottage in the woods while reminiscing about their old lives from time to time. Despite their fear of the woods that took their father, they venture out into the forest and what follows is a story full of wonder, magic, and adventure.
Snow and Rose didn't know they were living in a fairy tale--people never do.
I personally loved this retelling which has some similarities to the original, but with a whole new twist. There are trees that talk to one another, a librarian with magical objects, and a mysterious huntsman. I enjoyed all of these added elements which gave depth to the story and kept it fresh.
As far as the writing, I adored all the beautiful descriptions and also the format. I thought it was written in a way that both young readers and adults can enjoy.
Snow and Rose wandered through the big room. It was spare but cozy. Roots curled and looped along the walls; dark planks of roughhewn wood covered the floor. Light beamed thinly through windows in the ceiling, falling onto simple furnishings. Lanterns and candles were gathered in groups on tables and shelves carved into the walls of earth.
The characters were well understood and the story had some interesting twists I wasn't expecting! I thought the sketchbook with the additional illustrations was a nice touch too. I would've cherished this book in my childhood and it even possesses a vintage feel with the beautiful illustrations and cover. My rating on this one is 5*****
This review can also be seen @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
Snow and Rose are daughters born to a nobleman. Their mother, from a common family, was a painter and sculptor. Their parents loved each other and loved their daughters more than anything. At one point, Snow and Rose had everything they wanted, including a beautiful home and garden, plenty of fancy dresses to wear, dolls, and a cute cat named Earl Grey. That is, until the day their father disappears into the woods and doesn't return.
Without their father everything became difficult and their mother struggled to do much of anything. She was sad and had no interest like she used to. As everything is taken away, they eventually move into a cottage in the woods while reminiscing about their old lives from time to time. Despite their fear of the woods that took their father, they venture out into the forest and what follows is a story full of wonder, magic, and adventure.
Snow and Rose didn't know they were living in a fairy tale--people never do.
I personally loved this retelling which has some similarities to the original, but with a whole new twist. There are trees that talk to one another, a librarian with magical objects, and a mysterious huntsman. I enjoyed all of these added elements which gave depth to the story and kept it fresh.
As far as the writing, I adored all the beautiful descriptions and also the format. I thought it was written in a way that both young readers and adults can enjoy.
Snow and Rose wandered through the big room. It was spare but cozy. Roots curled and looped along the walls; dark planks of roughhewn wood covered the floor. Light beamed thinly through windows in the ceiling, falling onto simple furnishings. Lanterns and candles were gathered in groups on tables and shelves carved into the walls of earth.
The characters were well understood and the story had some interesting twists I wasn't expecting! I thought the sketchbook with the additional illustrations was a nice touch too. I would've cherished this book in my childhood and it even possesses a vintage feel with the beautiful illustrations and cover. My rating on this one is 5*****
This review can also be seen @ https://readrantrockandroll.com/2018/...
January 4, 2021
4.5 Stars ⭐️
This was a lovely little book with a lot of illustrations. I’m going to buy the hardback some day.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
This was a lovely little book with a lot of illustrations. I’m going to buy the hardback some day.
Mel 🖤🐶🐺🐾
October 25, 2017
Snow & Rose (2017) is a charming middle grade level retelling of the Snow-White and Rose-Red fairy tale with illustrations by the author, Emily Winfield Martin. Final review, first posted on Fantasy Literature:
Rose and Snow are the beloved eleven and nine year old daughters of a nobleman and his commoner wife, a sculptor. Rose has black hair and rosy cheeks, and is patient and gentle; Snow has white-blonde hair and icy blue eyes, and has a wilder and more adventurous personality. They have a fat grey tabby cat called Earl Grey (I adore that name! I want to adopt a grey cat now and name him Earl Grey) and had a large house with servants, a library with shelves that reached the ceiling, and a spectacular garden, half white flowers and half red, in honor of the two girls.
Shortly before our story began, however, their father disappeared in the woods one day without a trace, and their mother and the two girls were turned out of their mansion and moved into a cottage in the woods. The three are gradually adjusting to their new life. But Snow refuses to believe their father won’t return ― she lurks around their old home, spying on the family that’s moved into it ― and their mother is absentminded, burdened by sorrow. The girls can’t help but wonder about their father’s disappearance, why and how the woods would spirit someone away.
Snow & Rose doesn’t veer too far from the original Grimm Brothers folk tale, but Martin adds depth and details to the characters and their experiences. The two sisters are well-realized characters with fully distinct personalities as well as appearances, and with concerns and emotions that ring true. The story emphasizes the ties of family, especially the power in the bond of sisterhood, rather than romance, which is refreshing. The magical aspects of the tale are subtle, for the most part, lurking around the edges of the story rather than taking center stage. One can almost imagine this tale taking place in olden times in our world.
Martin also includes some unexpected elements in her story: the library and its quirky librarian; the bandit group that gives the girls some scares; a Huntsman with a fur cape and feathered cap, who may be both a rescuer and a threat. There are periodic interludes where the trees watch as two mysterious beings, an old one and a young one, discuss the girls and their fate. These elements were creative and add color to the tale, but didn’t play a large enough role in the plot to feel fully realized as an integral part of the story.
Snow & Rose is a deliberately paced story that some readers might find slow … until the ending, which unaccountably was a bit rushed. But I was immersed in Martin’s evocative language and whimsical images, both verbal and visual. As a middle grade/children’s chapter book, Snow & Rose is fairly simply told, but the writing and pictures are delicately lovely. I recommend it for readers, both young and older, who like traditional fairy tale retellings.
I received a free ARC of this book from the publicist for review. Thank you!!
Rose and Snow are the beloved eleven and nine year old daughters of a nobleman and his commoner wife, a sculptor. Rose has black hair and rosy cheeks, and is patient and gentle; Snow has white-blonde hair and icy blue eyes, and has a wilder and more adventurous personality. They have a fat grey tabby cat called Earl Grey (I adore that name! I want to adopt a grey cat now and name him Earl Grey) and had a large house with servants, a library with shelves that reached the ceiling, and a spectacular garden, half white flowers and half red, in honor of the two girls.
Shortly before our story began, however, their father disappeared in the woods one day without a trace, and their mother and the two girls were turned out of their mansion and moved into a cottage in the woods. The three are gradually adjusting to their new life. But Snow refuses to believe their father won’t return ― she lurks around their old home, spying on the family that’s moved into it ― and their mother is absentminded, burdened by sorrow. The girls can’t help but wonder about their father’s disappearance, why and how the woods would spirit someone away.
The wondering burned inside them both but took different shapes because of what they believed. Rose wanted to know why their father had been taken, and Snow wanted to know how to get him back. Their wondering touched the edges of things they could never know, about this place that had changed their fortunes once and would change them again.Despite their fear of the woods, eventually Rose and Snow begin to venture out to explore off the beaten paths. They find a new friend, a boy who lives underground and grows mushrooms with picturesque names like Flea’s Parasols, Golden Pence, and Mouse’s Buttons. They also discover an unusual library, filled with little objects that you check out rather than books (the librarian assures the girls that these are nonetheless stories). But Rose and Snow also come across more ominous things in the woods: bandits, wolves, a very rude little man and an enormous bear.
Snow & Rose doesn’t veer too far from the original Grimm Brothers folk tale, but Martin adds depth and details to the characters and their experiences. The two sisters are well-realized characters with fully distinct personalities as well as appearances, and with concerns and emotions that ring true. The story emphasizes the ties of family, especially the power in the bond of sisterhood, rather than romance, which is refreshing. The magical aspects of the tale are subtle, for the most part, lurking around the edges of the story rather than taking center stage. One can almost imagine this tale taking place in olden times in our world.
Martin also includes some unexpected elements in her story: the library and its quirky librarian; the bandit group that gives the girls some scares; a Huntsman with a fur cape and feathered cap, who may be both a rescuer and a threat. There are periodic interludes where the trees watch as two mysterious beings, an old one and a young one, discuss the girls and their fate. These elements were creative and add color to the tale, but didn’t play a large enough role in the plot to feel fully realized as an integral part of the story.
Snow & Rose is a deliberately paced story that some readers might find slow … until the ending, which unaccountably was a bit rushed. But I was immersed in Martin’s evocative language and whimsical images, both verbal and visual. As a middle grade/children’s chapter book, Snow & Rose is fairly simply told, but the writing and pictures are delicately lovely. I recommend it for readers, both young and older, who like traditional fairy tale retellings.
I received a free ARC of this book from the publicist for review. Thank you!!
August 5, 2018
Rose had hair like threads of black silk and cheeks like two red petals and a voice that was gentle and sometimes hard to hear. Snow had hair like white swan down and eyes the color of a winter sky, with a laugh that was sudden and wild.
January 13, 2020
Rose and her younger sister, Snow, grew up in a splendid mansion. There they had a garden, a vast library, a statue gallery - and most importantly, two parents who loved them.
That's how they lived until their architect father took a journey into the woods, from which he never returned. After a year, he was presumed dead. Their mother, a noble cut off from her family for marrying an untitled man, no longer had the means to stay in that wondrous house. So now she, her daughters, and the family cat live in a drafty cottage, right on the edge of the wood that took her husband.
Rose has accepted her father's death but wants to know why it happened. Snow won't even acknowledge the likely truth and watches for his return. Their quest for answers will lead them into the woods, where friends, enemies, and mysteries wait...
Content Advisory
Nothing. This book contains nothing inappropriate for the target audience. It's fine for independent readers ages 8 and up. Younger kids can enjoy it as a family read-aloud.
Conclusions
Snow and Rose is a charming retelling of the Grimms' "Snow White and Rose Red." While most novelizations of this story age up the girls, this one keeps them as children, because the Bear is I love fairytale romances, but family also makes a good emotional core for a story. Considering this is a middle-grade book, family is a better theme anyway.
Other than that rather noticeable but justified change, the book does an excellent job capturing the mood of the Grimm Brothers. The prose does a fine job evoking the eerie, secretive darkness of the wood, and the contrasting coziness of the family's cottage. Martin's illustrations compliment the text perfectly.
The girls, their mom, their cat, their friend Ivo, and the Bear are all pretty likeable and lively. Quiet, mature-beyond-her-years Rose was my favorite of the group.
The one thing that bugged me a bit was how all the nice characters (except Ivo's somewhat Gaston-ish uncle) have an aversion to eating meat, or even to killing dangerous animals who were clearly trying to kill them. (Granted, many of those ferocious beasts turned out to be enchanted humans, but still).
I remember being a bit shocked as a child by all the wild critters who got shot over the course of the Little House books, but the books themselves taught me that the characters' fears regarding those animals were entirely understandable, even if occasionally misinformed. Those who lived in wild regions like that had to fight for survival. Fretting over the ethics of killing and/or eating animals seemed anachronistic and jarred me out of the story whenever it happened. Luckily it was only brought up two or three times.
Overall, this is a fine middle-grade book that even younger kids will enjoy listening to. A great choice for a kid who wants a fantasy adventure but isn't quite ready to tackle the Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit. Recommended, especially for fans of the Little House series, A Little Princess , and Frozen.
That's how they lived until their architect father took a journey into the woods, from which he never returned. After a year, he was presumed dead. Their mother, a noble cut off from her family for marrying an untitled man, no longer had the means to stay in that wondrous house. So now she, her daughters, and the family cat live in a drafty cottage, right on the edge of the wood that took her husband.
Rose has accepted her father's death but wants to know why it happened. Snow won't even acknowledge the likely truth and watches for his return. Their quest for answers will lead them into the woods, where friends, enemies, and mysteries wait...
Content Advisory
Nothing. This book contains nothing inappropriate for the target audience. It's fine for independent readers ages 8 and up. Younger kids can enjoy it as a family read-aloud.
Conclusions
Snow and Rose is a charming retelling of the Grimms' "Snow White and Rose Red." While most novelizations of this story age up the girls, this one keeps them as children, because the Bear is I love fairytale romances, but family also makes a good emotional core for a story. Considering this is a middle-grade book, family is a better theme anyway.
Other than that rather noticeable but justified change, the book does an excellent job capturing the mood of the Grimm Brothers. The prose does a fine job evoking the eerie, secretive darkness of the wood, and the contrasting coziness of the family's cottage. Martin's illustrations compliment the text perfectly.
The girls, their mom, their cat, their friend Ivo, and the Bear are all pretty likeable and lively. Quiet, mature-beyond-her-years Rose was my favorite of the group.
The one thing that bugged me a bit was how all the nice characters (except Ivo's somewhat Gaston-ish uncle) have an aversion to eating meat, or even to killing dangerous animals who were clearly trying to kill them. (Granted, many of those ferocious beasts turned out to be enchanted humans, but still).
I remember being a bit shocked as a child by all the wild critters who got shot over the course of the Little House books, but the books themselves taught me that the characters' fears regarding those animals were entirely understandable, even if occasionally misinformed. Those who lived in wild regions like that had to fight for survival. Fretting over the ethics of killing and/or eating animals seemed anachronistic and jarred me out of the story whenever it happened. Luckily it was only brought up two or three times.
Overall, this is a fine middle-grade book that even younger kids will enjoy listening to. A great choice for a kid who wants a fantasy adventure but isn't quite ready to tackle the Chronicles of Narnia or The Hobbit. Recommended, especially for fans of the Little House series, A Little Princess , and Frozen.
November 4, 2019
This was okay, I didn’t love it.
It just seemed to jumped from scene to scene a bit to hardly for me. It also made Snow so petulant and annoying - regardless of her age.
Also I now have a lot of unanswered questions regarding the huntsman.
The writing was enjoyable but the story just lacked in too many places for me to love this.
But I did enjoy the illustrations paired with this tale.
It just seemed to jumped from scene to scene a bit to hardly for me. It also made Snow so petulant and annoying - regardless of her age.
Also I now have a lot of unanswered questions regarding the huntsman.
The writing was enjoyable but the story just lacked in too many places for me to love this.
But I did enjoy the illustrations paired with this tale.
May 12, 2025
This was a very sweet read of children's fiction! I'm a sucker for any type of adaptation of fairy tales and Disney princesses from my childhood. This was a cute story of Snow (snow white) and Rose (Red Riding Hood) as sisters who are determined to find what happened to their father while adjusting to their new lives after his disappearance. The illustrations were beautiful with each chapter having one to show a new character, scenery or event throughout the book. I highly recommend it, especially for those with children who are starting to read chapter books!
April 26, 2018
Snow. Rose. A bear. A questionable gnome. A mushroom. Sisters. A white garden and a red garden. One who dreams and one who thinks. A knitted scarf. A magic librarian. Kindness. Disappearance. Compassion. Kittens.
Beautiful book. Gorgeous lyrical language.
I’ve loved fairy tales all my life. This ranks highly:)
Beautiful book. Gorgeous lyrical language.
I’ve loved fairy tales all my life. This ranks highly:)
January 29, 2022
Everything about this book is so beautiful! The words, the pictures, even the feel of the paper. It's just made with such delicacy and such an eye for beauty, that I want to hold it to my heart and sigh!
February 10, 2018
This beautiful book of Snow & Rose is the reimagined chapter-book version of the lesser-known Grimm fairy tale, “Snow White and Rose Red.” This is one of the tales many children in Europe grow up with and that has been adapted to puppet theater plays and children’s movies overseas many a times.
Once wealthy before their father disappeared, sisters Snow and Rose and their mother now live in a small cottage in the woods. All of them are grieving for their loss and cope with it in different ways. Their mother is working hard and away from home to make a meager living for the girls and they are left alone often.
Rose sentimentally “holds on to a thing she loved as tightly as she could,” while Snow wants “to see or hear or taste something she loved over and over again, to remind herself that it was real.”
“Rose couldn't say to Snow, to insist to her, that sometimes you lose someone in a way that means he will never read to you, or say good night or swing his around you again.”
― Emily Winfield Martin, Snow & Rose
One day as they are meandering off the path in the woods, they happen upon an underground house, a curious library filled with objects rather than books that is overseen by a Librarian.
“To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said, 'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader.”
― Emily Winfield Martin, Snow & Rose
They also meet a boy named Ivo who grows mushrooms. He lives underground with his family and tells them about a menace of the woods who has caused many to disappear, as well as a giant bear who is pursued by a great huntsman.
“Snow and Rose didn't know that they were living in a fairy tale--people never do.”
― Emily Winfield Martin, Snow & Rose
As time goes on, the girls meet many creatures and animals in the woods. Kind and unkind. But they are really good girls and believe in all the good in the world. Unknowingly, they have already made contact with their future fate….if that will be good or bad, you will have to find out.
I grew up with this tale and have fond memories of the movies. I just pulled out my Grimm fairy tales book and I want to compare the differences of the two. Right off I can tell, the retelling seems longer and the illustrations add a nice touch.
The morale of the tale is an age old one recurring in countless tales. The reading level of this book is for 8-12 years old, and I would say it’s on the lower end of that by content / interest. It is a little slow at times but again, the illustrations are wonderful to look at and anything "grim" has been left out.
Once wealthy before their father disappeared, sisters Snow and Rose and their mother now live in a small cottage in the woods. All of them are grieving for their loss and cope with it in different ways. Their mother is working hard and away from home to make a meager living for the girls and they are left alone often.
Rose sentimentally “holds on to a thing she loved as tightly as she could,” while Snow wants “to see or hear or taste something she loved over and over again, to remind herself that it was real.”
“Rose couldn't say to Snow, to insist to her, that sometimes you lose someone in a way that means he will never read to you, or say good night or swing his around you again.”
― Emily Winfield Martin, Snow & Rose
One day as they are meandering off the path in the woods, they happen upon an underground house, a curious library filled with objects rather than books that is overseen by a Librarian.
“To find out what a story's really about,' the Librarian said, 'you don't ask the writer. You ask the reader.”
― Emily Winfield Martin, Snow & Rose
They also meet a boy named Ivo who grows mushrooms. He lives underground with his family and tells them about a menace of the woods who has caused many to disappear, as well as a giant bear who is pursued by a great huntsman.
“Snow and Rose didn't know that they were living in a fairy tale--people never do.”
― Emily Winfield Martin, Snow & Rose
As time goes on, the girls meet many creatures and animals in the woods. Kind and unkind. But they are really good girls and believe in all the good in the world. Unknowingly, they have already made contact with their future fate….if that will be good or bad, you will have to find out.
I grew up with this tale and have fond memories of the movies. I just pulled out my Grimm fairy tales book and I want to compare the differences of the two. Right off I can tell, the retelling seems longer and the illustrations add a nice touch.
The morale of the tale is an age old one recurring in countless tales. The reading level of this book is for 8-12 years old, and I would say it’s on the lower end of that by content / interest. It is a little slow at times but again, the illustrations are wonderful to look at and anything "grim" has been left out.
May 11, 2018
The illustrations were sweet and I also really liked some of the visual imagery used in the prose. I'm afraid I otherwise found the writing rather dull and the plot poorly paced.
September 6, 2021
Tiny Craig and I are beyond smitten! 😍😍😍
November 27, 2017
Every once in a while, a book crosses your path exactly when you need it. I have been stressed, exhausted, sick, and patiently carrying around a great memoir with me (James Atlas' Shadow in the Garden). Working in a children's library, lots of beautiful books end up sitting on my desk. When I saw the cover for Snow & Rose, I knew I had to set it aside for myself, maybe for a snowy day off. Snow White & Rose Red has always been one of my very favourite fairy tales, so I had high expectations going in, and Emily Winfield Martin exceeded every one. I ended up bringing this home with me when I went home sick today, and finished the whole book in a single sitting. It's beautifully written, exquisitely illustrated, and perfectly sweet and heart-warming. Martin takes the bones of a Grimm's fairy tale, always tantalizing but frequently lacking in detail, and breathes an extra 180 pages or so into it, giving Snow and Rose the type of fleshed out personalities that are hinted at in the fairy tale, giving them a charming supporting cast, including a fat grey cat named Early Grey, and an enchanting story about family.
I'll be adding this one to my "to buy" list. This was an immediate favourite.
I'll be adding this one to my "to buy" list. This was an immediate favourite.
May 25, 2019
What a cute book! Snow White and Rose Red was my favorite fairy tale growing up, and I was so excited to have a longer version to read... Great illustrations too!
October 18, 2017
This is a cute charming story for a Middle Grade reader. I made the mistake of thinking it was YA.
There are beautiful watercolor illustrations through out the books that are incredibly sweet. They remind me a bit of Beatrix Potter.
The story feels very much like you are being told a fairy tale. There is no character growth or development and things just happen to the characters. Each chapter is a new encounter with the title characters, Snow & Rose and some unlikely, person, place, object. Parts of the story feel very disjointed and tend to leap about a bit. However everything is related at the end and is all tied up nicely. Compared to the ultra slow set up in the beginning the conclusion feels a bit rushed.
It is an enchanting tale for a young girl who likes fairy tales, but for me personally next time I’ll pass.
There are beautiful watercolor illustrations through out the books that are incredibly sweet. They remind me a bit of Beatrix Potter.
The story feels very much like you are being told a fairy tale. There is no character growth or development and things just happen to the characters. Each chapter is a new encounter with the title characters, Snow & Rose and some unlikely, person, place, object. Parts of the story feel very disjointed and tend to leap about a bit. However everything is related at the end and is all tied up nicely. Compared to the ultra slow set up in the beginning the conclusion feels a bit rushed.
It is an enchanting tale for a young girl who likes fairy tales, but for me personally next time I’ll pass.
December 6, 2018
very sweet story and beautifully illustrated it was like a was watching a movie with all of the details from the mysterious library that doesn't have books, but instead skeleton keys and other intriguing objects, to their cottage is warm, cozy, and 0h-so-inviting. The only drawback is that the ending was a little to predictable for me but still, this was a beautiful book I would like to read next winter.
May 3, 2020
three stars ∗ wow this was such a cute little whimsical book! i adored the illustrations in it immensely, and thought that the story itself was fun and lovely!
January 26, 2018
Note: Top Shelf Text received a copy of this text from Kid Lit Exchange in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own!
I love a good fairytale. When I was in college and working on my own middle grade manuscript, I did a lot of research into the structures, archetypes, and themes of fairytales. After a lifetime of fairytale fanatics, a year of reading research about the original fairytales and writing my own, I feel pretty well-versed in the subject. Snow & Rose is a new middle grade fairytale based on the original tale Snow-White and Rose-Red, which was collected by the Brothers Grimm while traveling through Germany. The story features two sisters, Snow and Rose, after they've experienced a riches-to-rags shift in their life. Once a wealthy family, Snow and Rose lose their opulent lifestyle when their father goes into the woods one day and never returns. After his disappearance, the two girls and their mother retreat to a tiny cottage in the very same woods. There, the girls stumble upon a cast of characters as strange and manipulative as the original fairytale archetypes. The woods are enchanted, and the trees think that it's Snow and Rose who were meant to break the spell.
This story is beautifully told -- the prose is really impressive for a middle grade novel and I loved that it was almost lyrical. I loved, too, that there was something metacognitive about it all -- as if the fourth wall was being broken through real storytelling. At the very beginning of the story, the narrator says, "Snow and Rose didn't know they were in a fairytale. People never do..." and that was the very line that hooked me. Like many of the original fairytales, this story did not shy away from hardship, but unlike the classics, it wasn't gory and did have a happy ending. I thought the relationship between the sisters was interesting, but there was something almost reserved in the storytelling -- as if the story itself was ethereal and hard to grasp. Highly recommended for young readers who like tales featuring magical creatures and mysterious spells, and also for adults who appreciate nostalgia for classic fairytales.
I love a good fairytale. When I was in college and working on my own middle grade manuscript, I did a lot of research into the structures, archetypes, and themes of fairytales. After a lifetime of fairytale fanatics, a year of reading research about the original fairytales and writing my own, I feel pretty well-versed in the subject. Snow & Rose is a new middle grade fairytale based on the original tale Snow-White and Rose-Red, which was collected by the Brothers Grimm while traveling through Germany. The story features two sisters, Snow and Rose, after they've experienced a riches-to-rags shift in their life. Once a wealthy family, Snow and Rose lose their opulent lifestyle when their father goes into the woods one day and never returns. After his disappearance, the two girls and their mother retreat to a tiny cottage in the very same woods. There, the girls stumble upon a cast of characters as strange and manipulative as the original fairytale archetypes. The woods are enchanted, and the trees think that it's Snow and Rose who were meant to break the spell.
This story is beautifully told -- the prose is really impressive for a middle grade novel and I loved that it was almost lyrical. I loved, too, that there was something metacognitive about it all -- as if the fourth wall was being broken through real storytelling. At the very beginning of the story, the narrator says, "Snow and Rose didn't know they were in a fairytale. People never do..." and that was the very line that hooked me. Like many of the original fairytales, this story did not shy away from hardship, but unlike the classics, it wasn't gory and did have a happy ending. I thought the relationship between the sisters was interesting, but there was something almost reserved in the storytelling -- as if the story itself was ethereal and hard to grasp. Highly recommended for young readers who like tales featuring magical creatures and mysterious spells, and also for adults who appreciate nostalgia for classic fairytales.
August 20, 2020
Beautifully written and illustrated.
April 29, 2024
Two sisters and the enchanted woods that have been waiting for them to break a set of terrible spells. The illustrations are beautiful, the writing is very pretty, but maybe I've read one too many stories like this to have it claim a personal spot in my mind
November 10, 2021
Charming story, amazing illustrations!
May 3, 2020
This was absolutely ADORABLE & everything I could want in a winter book! The author is so talented to be able to write AND draw such beautiful illustrations!
August 23, 2018
The kids’ section at my library has this “new arrivals” shelf where all the books are facing out so you can see their covers. It’s really dangerous. I’m blaming it for the huge stack of books I took home. :D
The first thing that drew me to this book was the aesthetically pleasing cover. Two sisters, their hair blowing in the wind and the trees creating an inviting circle into the woods. Turns out, this is based on one of my all-time favorite fairy tales, Snow White and Rose Red. <3 As I read, I discovered elements of Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast as well, which was sweet.
The illustrations were AMAZING!! Little elements here and there on the pages or sometimes a full-page painting. We never get those now as adults, so I loved the experience. The author did a good job describing the dark forest, and it connected in my mind with the rainy days I’ve been hiking. ;) The entire book was a feast of descriptions, actually.
Ivo and the library were both new elements to the old classic, and I loved them. Ivo reminded me a lot of Dickon from The Secret Garden. He knew his way around the woods and was really kind without asking for anything in return. The library was quirky, for sure, but it ended up working into the story in a big way.
My favorite part was the emphasis on familial love. It put a spin on the story that was more meaningful and heartwarming than I was expecting. <3
Just a note, that the evil thing behind all the tragedies got a little dark. I made the mistake of reading a certain part too close to dark and was a little creeped. I don’t think it would be a huge problem for some younger readers, actually, but since I know what “little men” are actually based on, I was a little scared. ;)
Best quote: “In March, the days inched a little longer. The sun, which seemed as if it were never coming back, returned. The snow melted. The wind died down, and the air began to warm. Outside, everything that grows began to awaken and unfurl, tender leaves on black branches and green tendrils pushing up through the blanket of dark earth.”
Altogether, thank you, thank you, author for doing such beautiful justice to my favorite fairy tale!
The first thing that drew me to this book was the aesthetically pleasing cover. Two sisters, their hair blowing in the wind and the trees creating an inviting circle into the woods. Turns out, this is based on one of my all-time favorite fairy tales, Snow White and Rose Red. <3 As I read, I discovered elements of Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast as well, which was sweet.
The illustrations were AMAZING!! Little elements here and there on the pages or sometimes a full-page painting. We never get those now as adults, so I loved the experience. The author did a good job describing the dark forest, and it connected in my mind with the rainy days I’ve been hiking. ;) The entire book was a feast of descriptions, actually.
Ivo and the library were both new elements to the old classic, and I loved them. Ivo reminded me a lot of Dickon from The Secret Garden. He knew his way around the woods and was really kind without asking for anything in return. The library was quirky, for sure, but it ended up working into the story in a big way.
My favorite part was the emphasis on familial love. It put a spin on the story that was more meaningful and heartwarming than I was expecting. <3
Just a note, that the evil thing behind all the tragedies got a little dark. I made the mistake of reading a certain part too close to dark and was a little creeped. I don’t think it would be a huge problem for some younger readers, actually, but since I know what “little men” are actually based on, I was a little scared. ;)
Best quote: “In March, the days inched a little longer. The sun, which seemed as if it were never coming back, returned. The snow melted. The wind died down, and the air began to warm. Outside, everything that grows began to awaken and unfurl, tender leaves on black branches and green tendrils pushing up through the blanket of dark earth.”
Altogether, thank you, thank you, author for doing such beautiful justice to my favorite fairy tale!
May 13, 2018
“Snow and Rose didn't know that they were living in a fairy tale - people never do.”
This book is oh-so lovely! The watercolour illustrations are gorgeous, though I would have loved to see more of the characters portrayed inside the story, like the enigmatic librarian, while the decorative little drawings scattered across the pages were a really wonderful touch.
The storytelling cadence of this “Snow White and Rose Red” retelling is a little off, with a quiet, slow-paced start, it feels a bit too rushed towards the end. I loved the dialogue between the two sisters and the fact that their opposing tempers complimented each other so well: Snow, the youngest, is talkative and pushy, while Rose, two years older, is more reserved, yet really brave when the situation requires her to be.
Snow & Rose seems like the perfect reading choice for a quiet weekend!
This book is oh-so lovely! The watercolour illustrations are gorgeous, though I would have loved to see more of the characters portrayed inside the story, like the enigmatic librarian, while the decorative little drawings scattered across the pages were a really wonderful touch.
The storytelling cadence of this “Snow White and Rose Red” retelling is a little off, with a quiet, slow-paced start, it feels a bit too rushed towards the end. I loved the dialogue between the two sisters and the fact that their opposing tempers complimented each other so well: Snow, the youngest, is talkative and pushy, while Rose, two years older, is more reserved, yet really brave when the situation requires her to be.
Snow & Rose seems like the perfect reading choice for a quiet weekend!
November 14, 2020
This was a very fast read but I loved it, it was so cozy and set in a magical, dangerous, fairy tale forest. However I wish it had been longer as the ending felt very rushed and left on a bit of a cliffhanger which has left me very unsatisfied!!! But I loved this cozy magical story!
December 9, 2020
This was such a fun, quick read perfect for winter. The writing was just as beautiful as the illustrations-both done by the author. I love retellings, but haven’t gotten around to reading many. So I really enjoyed this. Snow got on my nerves a bit. More so in the beginning-she was supposed to though with how she was acting, so that shows great writing. But the girls had been through a lot. Rose was amazing, & I absolutely loved here. I have two favorites though, & they are Ivo & the bear. Ugh loved them! This was a magical, atmospheric, adventurous read. I was confused sometimes, but with everything going on in my life currently, I think that was all me, & some things just went over my head b/c of it. I think kids would really love this story as well. 💜
July 23, 2019
Reading this book made me cross and peevish. It’s a middle grade retelling of the Grimm Brothers’ “Snow White and Rose Red.” In some ways, it’s lovely. The overall vibe conveys genuine affection for fairytales, and I was excited to realize the author had also created the detailed illustrations--I loved the imagery of mushrooms and woodland life. That very charm ended up being a problem for me, though, because it made me twice as frustrated when aspects of the book became so. . . frustrating. Peeving, if that were a word.
The plot meanders around a bit, but I can accept that. The real problem was that as the climax drew near I kept muttering, “You self-righteous little snowflake prigs, you think you’re so special, don’t you?” And I meant the heroines.
I was just annoyed. Things that annoyed me:
- Every time a conflict of opinion exists between younger and older characters (even between the old tree and the young tree), the younger characters are obviously wiser and braver than the older ones.
- Every time a conflict of opinion exists between male and female characters, the female characters are obviously wiser and braver. In fact, it felt as if the author went out of her way to subtly demonstrate the masculine insecurities of the young male character in comparison to the young female protagonists.
- Male interest in using “violence” to defend against evil--i.e., by shooting attacking animals--is portrayed as perverted and misguided. Without much nuance.
- The characters decide to get ready for the winter, and apparently preserve about six different kinds of fruit and vegetables in canning jars in one afternoon. It doesn’t work that way.
- The characters (a family of three) get ONE hen and apparently have an abundance of eggs. Which is possible, but unlikely.
- The action scenes are weak. The pacing is confusing, and the author will do things like announce “it was too late to run!,” THEN have the protagonists stand around listening to villains threaten them, THEN let the villains start walking closer, THEN run.
- Two bandits think they can take down a huge bear with knives, and the girls and the bear flee. In fact, later, our two young female protagonists think they must rush out into the snowy wilderness to hunt for the bear to “save” him from humans who want to hunt him. I get that the bear is supposed to be wounded, but mightn’t he still be stronger than two little girls? But I guess he wouldn’t knock down bandits because his virtue is so developed as to be almost feminine.
I actually kind of liked the ending, which made me feel less peevish, but still cross.
2.5 Stars.
The plot meanders around a bit, but I can accept that. The real problem was that as the climax drew near I kept muttering, “You self-righteous little snowflake prigs, you think you’re so special, don’t you?” And I meant the heroines.
I was just annoyed. Things that annoyed me:
- Every time a conflict of opinion exists between younger and older characters (even between the old tree and the young tree), the younger characters are obviously wiser and braver than the older ones.
- Every time a conflict of opinion exists between male and female characters, the female characters are obviously wiser and braver. In fact, it felt as if the author went out of her way to subtly demonstrate the masculine insecurities of the young male character in comparison to the young female protagonists.
- Male interest in using “violence” to defend against evil--i.e., by shooting attacking animals--is portrayed as perverted and misguided. Without much nuance.
- The characters decide to get ready for the winter, and apparently preserve about six different kinds of fruit and vegetables in canning jars in one afternoon. It doesn’t work that way.
- The characters (a family of three) get ONE hen and apparently have an abundance of eggs. Which is possible, but unlikely.
- The action scenes are weak. The pacing is confusing, and the author will do things like announce “it was too late to run!,” THEN have the protagonists stand around listening to villains threaten them, THEN let the villains start walking closer, THEN run.
- Two bandits think they can take down a huge bear with knives, and the girls and the bear flee. In fact, later, our two young female protagonists think they must rush out into the snowy wilderness to hunt for the bear to “save” him from humans who want to hunt him. I get that the bear is supposed to be wounded, but mightn’t he still be stronger than two little girls? But I guess he wouldn’t knock down bandits because his virtue is so developed as to be almost feminine.
I actually kind of liked the ending, which made me feel less peevish, but still cross.
2.5 Stars.
August 2, 2024
”Snow and Rose didn't know that they were living in a fairy tale--people never do.”
TW: animal death, blood, death of a loved one, grief, violence.
Finally got around to reading this one and I’m so glad I did! It was such a sweet book and definitely had that enchanting feel you want from a fairytale retelling.
This is a children’s book and while I think most children would be absolutely fine, I do think the parental loss element could potentially be a bit much, so be wary of that.
All in all, I’m glad I read this and I look forward to revisiting it in winters to come.
TW: animal death, blood, death of a loved one, grief, violence.
Finally got around to reading this one and I’m so glad I did! It was such a sweet book and definitely had that enchanting feel you want from a fairytale retelling.
This is a children’s book and while I think most children would be absolutely fine, I do think the parental loss element could potentially be a bit much, so be wary of that.
All in all, I’m glad I read this and I look forward to revisiting it in winters to come.
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