The Snow Child

Viking Easy-to-Read

by Harriet Ziefert, Emily Bolam (Illustrations)

An elderly couple who long for a child build a snow child which comes to life and makes them very happy--until the coming of spring when the days become too warm for her to stay. Simultaneous.

Genres: Picture Books, Fairy Tales

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2000

About the author

Harriet Ziefert grew up in North Bergen, New Jersey, where she attended the local schools. She graduated from Smith College, then received a Masters degree in Education from New York University.

For many years, Ziefert was an elementary school teacher. She taught most grades from kindergarten to fifth grade. "I liked it," she said, but she stopped teaching when she had her own sons. When her children were older, Ziefert wanted "a bigger arena" for her work. She went to work at a publishing company, Scholastic in New York City, developing materials for teacher's guides for kindergarten language arts and social studies programs.

"About twelve years ago," says Ziefert in a 1995 interview, "I tried to get a job as an editor, but no one would hire me as a trade editor. So I decided to write my own books." Since then, she has written several hundred books, mostly picture books and easy-to-read books. "I write books very quickly," she says, "in about twelve hours. I rewrite them three times over three days, and then they're done." She writes about twenty books a year.

Reviews

[Dawn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Short, single retelling of the snow child story. It fascinated my daughter, and the illustrations were interesting.

[Roz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the book after I got through the beginning. I am not a fan of fantasy usually but this was so beautifully written and open to several interpretations. My book club had a lively discussion about the book and the meaning of the snow child. It was a great depiction of life at a certain time and place that most of us have not experienced or even read a lot about. You can google the Russian folk tale that gives you the basic story that leads off the book. The story of "family" shined through as these pioneers had left their first families behind for this adventure. The Snow Child The book I actually read was "The Snow Child" by Eowyn Ivey. She used the Russian fairy tale as her inspiration.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughters LOVE this book, and choose it over and over to read to me. They like it a little more than I do, but it is a nice beginning reader.

[Amy · Rating 3 out of 5]

An old woman and man want a child so they think make one out of snow. With a kiss, she comes to life.

[Sofia · Rating 2 out of 5]

"I liked how the grandpa and grandma, how the grandma kissed the snow child and she came to life."
--As told by Sofia to her mami.

[Alice · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.25 stars What a sad story! THe pictures are okay but not my favorite