The Snowman and the Sun

by Susan Taghdis

What happens to a snowman when he melts? Where does he go? What does he become? This unique picture book, told from the snowman’s point of view, introduces thewonders of the water cycle to young children. The story prompts discussion around change and the impact of seasons on our natural environment and our place in it. It can also be read as a modern-day fable and offers opportunities for deeper reflection on the different stages in our lives.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Nature, Storytime, Science

24 pages, Paperback

Published October 1, 2015

Reviews

[Tina Loves To Read]

This is a Children's Book that I read to my Twin Boys. This book is all about the water cycle, and I love that part of the book. I just wish the snowman character came to life better. I also do not think the pictures really pulled my boys into the story. Great book to help the kids to understand the water cycle. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.

[Andréa]

Note: I received a digital review copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.

[Olivia]

See my full review here: https://www.yabookscentral.com/kidsfi...

THE SNOWMAN AND THE SUN is a simple discussion of the water cycle. A snowman is built by a child and wonders what will happen when the sun shines on it. Soon, it turns into water, and the sun keeps shining, causing it to evaporate into a cloud and later to become snow again.

What I loved: This was a simple story that could be used in school discussions of the water cycle. The text is very brief and mainly talks about the Snowman in terms of what he will become next. The accompanying illustrations are also very simple. Together, this would be a book that could start children thinking more about the water around them, where it has been and where it will go.

What left me wanting more: The story was maybe too simple in places, as it leaves many unanswered questions, and it does not close the gaps. A longer story and more personality to the Snowman may have helped in children engaging with the story better. Some other information about the water cycle could help with making it even more educational as well.

Final verdict: A starter book on the water cycle, THE SNOWMAN AND THE SUN is a simple read that shows the change of snow to water to droplets to cloud and back to snow.

Please note that I received a review copy. All opinions are my own.

[Barbara]

What might it be like to be a snowman standing patiently in the yard as the sun warms up temperatures? In this picture book, this particular snowman embraces all of his experiences as he melts, evaporates, turns into a cloud, and then crystallizes into snow flakes. Those flakes fall to the ground, and once again, he awaits the arrival of a young boy who fashions him into a snowman once again. The book jacket states that this story is about attachments and how they persist even over time and as they change, but honestly, it seemed more useful as a book about the water cycle to me. The illustrations consist of some touches of bright colors but mostly, white, appropriately, considering the subject matter. Teachers, parents, and caregivers might share this one with little ones when the first snow fall of the season is expected in anticipation of building a snow fort, igloo or snowman or maybe even wondering what such a creation might be thinking.

[Tia Schmidt]

This book was lacking big time overall. It gets 2-stars for the concept, but everything else fell flat. The art style is distracting and lacking. The sentence structure isn't good at ALL and barely makes sense or flows. The story attempts to explain to children what happens when their snowman melts and how the water cycle works, but because of the terrible sentence structure, it does a really bad job at explaining either. Had the sentences been more clear, the story could have actually done a really good job at teaching kids about the weather/water cycle and explaining to them what happens when their snowman melts away. It had a lot of potential for being cute and extremely educational, while also helping children "grieve", if you will, over their snowmen, but it just didn't work at all.

Thank you to NetGalley and Tiny Owl Publishing for an advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are, as always, my own.

[Stephanie Tournas]

I really like the concept of this book, which is to tell a story illustrating the water cycle. A snowman melts, then evaporates and condenses into a cloud. The weather gets colder, and he falls to the ground again as snow. A child, who is present throughout, makes him into a snowman again.

The story has a background of crosshatching, like graph paper, with a snowy color and minimal other elements. A smiling child, White, with a cat, is present on most of the spreads, and may be telling the story to the reader. There is an air of abstraction conveyed by the art despite the illustrative text. Still, I think that young readers will get the idea of the water cycle – the snowman’s black buttons are visible in the atmosphere when his substance has become clouds.

However, the buttons remain in the atmosphere when the snowman is once again a drift of snow on the ground, confusing what was a clear marker of his travels. I wonder if this is an error.

[Charlotte]

I don't know why, but there was something compelling about the ways in which the illustrations did not really correspond to what was going on in the written story. (Well, it sort of did, but also didn't). It felt a little like I was day dreaming while reading...

I don't know if that was good or bad, but it was certainly interesting. 3.5 stars.

[Edward Sullivan]

A unique introduction to the wonders of the water cycle told from the perspective of a melting snowman.

[Erin]

A simple cycle story about a snowman who melts, evaporates, and snows. The only constant is change.

[Bridge(t)]

Fantastic story to introduce kids to the water cycle.

[Maleeha Mir]

A wonderfully simple book for any child to enjoy! Showing them engaging and clear illustrations about the water cycle using a snowman. Children learn without even realising it, simply enjoy the story and vivid illustrations.

[Barbara Band]

Story for young children illustrating the water cycle. A snowman melts, turns into water vapour then clouds, falls as snow and is rebuilt. Simple illustrations with lots of fun details to spot - odd shoes, a cycling bee, a spotty chair - and drawn on a grid background.

[Janet]

While I wasn’t particularly fond of the illustrations, but I really appreciated the fact this was a story of the stages of the water cycle told in understandable form for young children.

[Steph]

Turn/Level: 1/2.5

Snowman, Snow, Winter, Water Cycle