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When Will It Snow?
Originally published as "Martin MacGregor's Snowman.
How can a snowman fanatic build a snowman if there’s NO snow?
Martin MacGregor lives for building snowmen. All year long he sits and he waits and he dreams of deep snowdrifts and blinding blizzards. So what’s poor Martin to do when winter comes and there’s no snow?
Martin finds it hard to be patient, but he develops all sorts of alternate plans for building his snowmen. Unfortunately, his creative genius backfires every time, and he may still be grounded by the time next winter comes around!
How can a snowman fanatic build a snowman if there’s NO snow?
Martin MacGregor lives for building snowmen. All year long he sits and he waits and he dreams of deep snowdrifts and blinding blizzards. So what’s poor Martin to do when winter comes and there’s no snow?
Martin finds it hard to be patient, but he develops all sorts of alternate plans for building his snowmen. Unfortunately, his creative genius backfires every time, and he may still be grounded by the time next winter comes around!
32 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2003
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 29, 2010
stumbled upon this book at the library when I was preparing a snowman themed art project in son's kindergarten class. Loved it! Read it to my kids every night for a week. And now I must buy a copy of my own.
January 11, 2015
A frustrated artist, confounded by the harsh realities of climate change.
December 23, 2014
Booklist (October 1, 2003 (Vol. 100, No. 3))
K-Gr. 2. Snow-loving kids everywhere will relate to Martin's dilemma: he wants to build a snowman, but there's no snow. Throughout the long, snowless winter he looks for ways to relieve his snowman-making itch. He pours flour over his syrupy baby sister, glues cotton balls on the family dog, and shocks the ladies from his mom's book club by coming downstairs covered in nothing but frothy, white bubble-bath foam. He's just about ready to give up, when he awakens, on April Fool's Day, to a winter wonderland: "School was canceled for three whole days, and Martin made a snowman, a snow lady, a snow boy . . ."First-time author Cook narrates Martin's antics with a sly wit and offbeat humor that is nicely matched by McCauley's wacky cartoon illustrations on heavy watercolor paper. Martin's expressive face, with eyebrows that seem to have a life of their own, reveals his despair, his creative bursts, and ultimately, his sheer joy. A clever, funny debut.
Horn Book (Spring 2004)
Martin dreams of building snowmen, but there's no snow that winter. He tries making snowmen from marshmallows, cotton balls, and mashed potatoes, but nothing works. Finally, when he gives up hope, April brings a big blizzard. Happy, Martin now begins to dream of sun and sandcastles, but in the final bold mixed-media illustration a huge rainstorm rages outside.
Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2003)
Martin MacGregor, obsessed with making a snowman, is having a rough snowless winter. Lack of the white stuff forces him to think of other inventive, if not preposterous, ways of building his wintry creation. Martin tries everything from using marshmallows in his hot chocolate, spilling a bag of flour over his baby sister, gluing cotton balls on the dog's fur, and even coming down to greet his mom's book-club ladies in the buff, but completely covered with bubble-bath soap suds. Each attempt only succeeds in earning Martin another punishment from his exasperated parents. April brings a surprise snowstorm, allowing Martin to jubilantly create an entire snow family. Martin's disregard for the results of his outlandish snow substitutions will have kids groaning and giggling simultaneously with each ridiculous scenario. Mixed-media on watercolor paper add to the absurdity, with cartoon-style drawings stressing Martin's fiendish and somewhat devilish mood. Complementary first and last double-page spreads illustrate Martin's contemplative thoughts. What will Martin substitute for sand castles as he waits for the spring rains to stop? (Picture book. 3-5)
Publishers Weekly (November 24, 2003)
One warm winter, Martin MacGregor obsessively waits for snow. If he sees three marshmallows in his hot chocolate, he can't resist arranging them in a snowman shape. As he grows impatient, he glues cotton balls to the family pet ("Presenting... Sadie the snow dog!") and parades before his mother's book club covered in bubble-bath foam: " `Look, everybody, a snowman!' he announced.... The bubbles began to slide downward at an alarmingly quick pace." Cook's children's debut humorously conveys the intensity of longing for something elusive; she styles Martin as a suffering artist who (until the last moment) works in everything but his desired medium. When his art teacher tells him he has "captured the true essence of a snowman" in a painting, he cries in frustration, "The essence of a snowman is snow!" and tears the paper into white flakes ("Martin MacGregor waited for snow in the principal's office"). McCauley (The Lima Bean Monster) emphasizes Martin's enduring hopes by picturing him in a knit cap and puffy white ski jacket, no matter how sunny the weather. In tempestuous watercolors, which feature sinuous curves, explosive diagonals and dark, choppy outlines reminiscent of linocuts, Martin always has a calculating, not to say maniacal, gleam in his eyes. Thanks to an early spring blizzard, he finally channels his pent-up energy into snowman-building. Cook and McCauley invent a single-minded, sympathetic hero with determination to spare. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (October 1, 2003)
PreS-Gr 3-Martin dreams of building a snowman, but the weather refuses to cooperate. As the winter months pass with hardly a flake, he tries to use available resources to fulfill his creative needs. He dumps a bag of flour over his syrup-sticky sister to make a snow baby, and glues cotton balls to his pet to fashion a snow dog. Then he turns himself into a snow boy during a bubble bath; he just manages to greet his mother's book club before his foam covering unexpectedly slips away to reveal "Martin in his nothingness." After this series of misguided ideas, an April blizzard finally closes school and provides him with the opportunity to build to his heart's content. In May, a bathing-suit-clad Martin stares out at the rain, daydreaming about swimming and sand castles. Repeated plot elements and refrains give the story an evenly measured pace, allowing the humor to build with each passing month. McCauley's crisp mixed-media illustrations are irresistible. From the tartan endpapers (a pattern repeated on Martin's wool hat) to the breed of his dog (a Scottish terrier) to the snowflake patterns that are subtly incorporated into the scenery, amusing details reflect and extend the story. With irregularly shaped heads and elongated necks, the characters have a stylized appearance, and Martin's perfectly round eyes are punctuated by thick eyebrows that change their angle according to his mood. A fun choice for snow dreamers.-Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
K-Gr. 2. Snow-loving kids everywhere will relate to Martin's dilemma: he wants to build a snowman, but there's no snow. Throughout the long, snowless winter he looks for ways to relieve his snowman-making itch. He pours flour over his syrupy baby sister, glues cotton balls on the family dog, and shocks the ladies from his mom's book club by coming downstairs covered in nothing but frothy, white bubble-bath foam. He's just about ready to give up, when he awakens, on April Fool's Day, to a winter wonderland: "School was canceled for three whole days, and Martin made a snowman, a snow lady, a snow boy . . ."First-time author Cook narrates Martin's antics with a sly wit and offbeat humor that is nicely matched by McCauley's wacky cartoon illustrations on heavy watercolor paper. Martin's expressive face, with eyebrows that seem to have a life of their own, reveals his despair, his creative bursts, and ultimately, his sheer joy. A clever, funny debut.
Horn Book (Spring 2004)
Martin dreams of building snowmen, but there's no snow that winter. He tries making snowmen from marshmallows, cotton balls, and mashed potatoes, but nothing works. Finally, when he gives up hope, April brings a big blizzard. Happy, Martin now begins to dream of sun and sandcastles, but in the final bold mixed-media illustration a huge rainstorm rages outside.
Kirkus Reviews (October 1, 2003)
Martin MacGregor, obsessed with making a snowman, is having a rough snowless winter. Lack of the white stuff forces him to think of other inventive, if not preposterous, ways of building his wintry creation. Martin tries everything from using marshmallows in his hot chocolate, spilling a bag of flour over his baby sister, gluing cotton balls on the dog's fur, and even coming down to greet his mom's book-club ladies in the buff, but completely covered with bubble-bath soap suds. Each attempt only succeeds in earning Martin another punishment from his exasperated parents. April brings a surprise snowstorm, allowing Martin to jubilantly create an entire snow family. Martin's disregard for the results of his outlandish snow substitutions will have kids groaning and giggling simultaneously with each ridiculous scenario. Mixed-media on watercolor paper add to the absurdity, with cartoon-style drawings stressing Martin's fiendish and somewhat devilish mood. Complementary first and last double-page spreads illustrate Martin's contemplative thoughts. What will Martin substitute for sand castles as he waits for the spring rains to stop? (Picture book. 3-5)
Publishers Weekly (November 24, 2003)
One warm winter, Martin MacGregor obsessively waits for snow. If he sees three marshmallows in his hot chocolate, he can't resist arranging them in a snowman shape. As he grows impatient, he glues cotton balls to the family pet ("Presenting... Sadie the snow dog!") and parades before his mother's book club covered in bubble-bath foam: " `Look, everybody, a snowman!' he announced.... The bubbles began to slide downward at an alarmingly quick pace." Cook's children's debut humorously conveys the intensity of longing for something elusive; she styles Martin as a suffering artist who (until the last moment) works in everything but his desired medium. When his art teacher tells him he has "captured the true essence of a snowman" in a painting, he cries in frustration, "The essence of a snowman is snow!" and tears the paper into white flakes ("Martin MacGregor waited for snow in the principal's office"). McCauley (The Lima Bean Monster) emphasizes Martin's enduring hopes by picturing him in a knit cap and puffy white ski jacket, no matter how sunny the weather. In tempestuous watercolors, which feature sinuous curves, explosive diagonals and dark, choppy outlines reminiscent of linocuts, Martin always has a calculating, not to say maniacal, gleam in his eyes. Thanks to an early spring blizzard, he finally channels his pent-up energy into snowman-building. Cook and McCauley invent a single-minded, sympathetic hero with determination to spare. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
School Library Journal (October 1, 2003)
PreS-Gr 3-Martin dreams of building a snowman, but the weather refuses to cooperate. As the winter months pass with hardly a flake, he tries to use available resources to fulfill his creative needs. He dumps a bag of flour over his syrup-sticky sister to make a snow baby, and glues cotton balls to his pet to fashion a snow dog. Then he turns himself into a snow boy during a bubble bath; he just manages to greet his mother's book club before his foam covering unexpectedly slips away to reveal "Martin in his nothingness." After this series of misguided ideas, an April blizzard finally closes school and provides him with the opportunity to build to his heart's content. In May, a bathing-suit-clad Martin stares out at the rain, daydreaming about swimming and sand castles. Repeated plot elements and refrains give the story an evenly measured pace, allowing the humor to build with each passing month. McCauley's crisp mixed-media illustrations are irresistible. From the tartan endpapers (a pattern repeated on Martin's wool hat) to the breed of his dog (a Scottish terrier) to the snowflake patterns that are subtly incorporated into the scenery, amusing details reflect and extend the story. With irregularly shaped heads and elongated necks, the characters have a stylized appearance, and Martin's perfectly round eyes are punctuated by thick eyebrows that change their angle according to his mood. A fun choice for snow dreamers.-Joy Fleishhacker, formerly at School Library Journal Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 14, 2018
impatient child wants to build snowmen but nature won't cooperate. Tries several ways to create one w/o snow but is unhappy with the results - both in the fake snowman & his punishments for when he does so inappropriately. Gets his snow & his snowmen but still is impatient for the next thing - Buddha's satisfaction of desire only begets more desire.
December 17, 2019
I had a great time reading this book to a group of second graders today. As one of the kids pointed out, Martin does not always make good choices, but despite those consequences, it is a fun book and one can't help rooting for poor Martin. We all felt quite glad that we live in Alaska and don't have to face those kinds of trials and tribulations.
January 6, 2021
This was cute. Martin really wants it to snow so he can build a snowman. When it doesn't snow, he is creative in trying to make a snowman out of other materials.
*read the TumbleBook Library version*
*read the TumbleBook Library version*
December 19, 2021
I loved this book! He wanted a snowman so bad, but at times he didn't always make the best snowman-making decisions... Very fun.
This is a good book to look at the pictures - lots of good stuff there. For example, the faces of the ladies during the bubble-bath snowman was just great.
This is a good book to look at the pictures - lots of good stuff there. For example, the faces of the ladies during the bubble-bath snowman was just great.
December 6, 2018
Good for a read a loud to a K to 1st grader. Deals with snow but no holidays are mentioned for those looking for something secular.
January 8, 2020
Martin wishes and waits for snow! Frustrated, he finds creative ways to make the snow himself! Mischievous and funny!
February 19, 2020
Martin only wants to build a snowman. So, as the months pass with no snow, Martin thinks up creative ways to build a snowman... without snow.
January 7, 2023
We really enjoyed this book
January 10, 2023
It's all things snowman related at preschool. 😊
February 28, 2024
I loved this book!!! :) The Story was clever and naughty, but very funny.
April 17, 2024
All Martin wanted was to build a snowman, but this was a winter with no snow! All the things he tried to use in place of snow only got him in trouble with his parents and the teacher. Cute and amusing story with a funny ending. Great illustrations.
February 27, 2015
Personal Reaction: I really like this book because it is very entertaining. I think it is relatable to students because of the lack of patience Martin has. This story is engaging because the pictures are very big on the pictures and will make the children laugh. An example of this would be when Martin is standing at the bottom of the stairs in front of all his mother's friends with his bottom showing!
Purposes: Read aloud for ages PreK-2nd grade. The language in this book is not very complex and the students will be able to relate to Martin in many different ways. They can relate to his lack of patience, his annoyance of his little sister and parents, and also the wanting of a snow day. What child doesn't want a snow day to build a snowman? I think this book is great way to talk about patience in a classroom or at home. The students can learn from Martin getting in trouble, that patience is very important when growing up. This book is also full of every emotion. We see Martin happy, sad, angry, witty, mischievous and much more. The illustrations in this book show the emotions very well. I can ask students... how is Martin feeling? Just by looking at one picture. Not only patience is in this book but it is a good way to talk about other virtues as well. I think it is very important for the younger students to learn these earlier than later.
Great way to start predictions. What will Martin think of next? Will the snow ever come?
Purposes: Read aloud for ages PreK-2nd grade. The language in this book is not very complex and the students will be able to relate to Martin in many different ways. They can relate to his lack of patience, his annoyance of his little sister and parents, and also the wanting of a snow day. What child doesn't want a snow day to build a snowman? I think this book is great way to talk about patience in a classroom or at home. The students can learn from Martin getting in trouble, that patience is very important when growing up. This book is also full of every emotion. We see Martin happy, sad, angry, witty, mischievous and much more. The illustrations in this book show the emotions very well. I can ask students... how is Martin feeling? Just by looking at one picture. Not only patience is in this book but it is a good way to talk about other virtues as well. I think it is very important for the younger students to learn these earlier than later.
Great way to start predictions. What will Martin think of next? Will the snow ever come?
Read
February 11, 2012*Review posted on Mundie Kids on 1/21/2012*
It's so frustrating when the weather doesn't cooperate with the season. My kids have experienced a very snow-less winter and yes, we live in snow country. This story for us is, therefore, very timely. Martin doesn't want to wait for the snow to actually start because the previous year he build the biggest snowman ever. So he sets about trying different things -- making snowman marshmallows in hot chocolate, pouring flour on his baby sister, gluing cotton balls to his dog and even dressing himself in bubble bath bubbles.
As you can imagine, nothing works. And Martin has to learn the hardest lesson of all -- patience. And well, there's the small matter of also learning how a younger sibling will copy you. Don't worry, thisbook does have a happy ending. Eventually, weather does do what it's supposed to do. Seasonally speaking, that is. Perhaps it will do the same in our parts and I won't have to hear about how much my kids want to go sledding and skiing when there's no snow around.
It's so frustrating when the weather doesn't cooperate with the season. My kids have experienced a very snow-less winter and yes, we live in snow country. This story for us is, therefore, very timely. Martin doesn't want to wait for the snow to actually start because the previous year he build the biggest snowman ever. So he sets about trying different things -- making snowman marshmallows in hot chocolate, pouring flour on his baby sister, gluing cotton balls to his dog and even dressing himself in bubble bath bubbles.
As you can imagine, nothing works. And Martin has to learn the hardest lesson of all -- patience. And well, there's the small matter of also learning how a younger sibling will copy you. Don't worry, thisbook does have a happy ending. Eventually, weather does do what it's supposed to do. Seasonally speaking, that is. Perhaps it will do the same in our parts and I won't have to hear about how much my kids want to go sledding and skiing when there's no snow around.
November 13, 2014
This is a funny story about a little boy who really, really, reallllly wants to make a snowman. Without enough snow, he tries several unorthodox techniques and ends up getting in trouble for his efforts.
Our girls could identify with this story as they are experiencing snow for the first time this year and so far the snow hasn't been wet enough or heavy enough to make a decent snowman. Our girls enjoyed watching the story on the Tumblebooks website. (tumblebooks.com)
Our girls could identify with this story as they are experiencing snow for the first time this year and so far the snow hasn't been wet enough or heavy enough to make a decent snowman. Our girls enjoyed watching the story on the Tumblebooks website. (tumblebooks.com)
December 10, 2015
A little boy named Martin wants to build a snowman, but it just will not snow. He tries many different snow substitutes, resulting in laughs for the reader and various troubles for Martin. Finally, after waiting all winter it snows in April. Very cute picture book.
February 8, 2016
A really fun story about a little boy who is disappointed again and again by the lack of snow because he wants to make a snowman - really, really bad! So he tries to find other materials to do the job, but they just don't work out.
Humorous illustrations.
Humorous illustrations.
January 2, 2009
This was a really cute little book.
January 26, 2013
Great illustrations, fun story. I especially love his attempt at the bubble snowman in the bathtub.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews