SOLVED. Children's Picture Book: Hero Comes to Kingdom to solves series of tasks to win princess's hand in marriage, last task is her asking for a rose that grows in winter [s]

[Naomi]

This is a children's book, not very long, not a chapter book or anything. Probably 50 pages max, likely shorter. Illustrated. Romance. Got it from the library between 1999-2000. Hardcover, and oversized.

Plot: hero stops at an inn and meets the innkeeper's daughter Rose. It comes up that he is here to compete in tasks set forward to win the princess's hand in marriage.

I believe the tasks are spread out throughout the year. Pretty much each season there is a different task. I only remember one of the tasks having something to do with untying a complex knot in a rope. I believe the other suitors fail but the hero does something like cut it with a sword. In general, he uses he outwits the task every time. There might have been one with a maze. (I think between tasks he goes back to the inn and spends time with the innkeeper's daughter?)

Anyways, the final task the princess sets for her suitors is to find her a rose that grows in the winter.

When it comes time to produce the flower, the hero brings forth the innkeeper's daughter. And he chooses to marry her rather than the princess.

I believe the cover shows the hero pushing Rose on a sled over ice (which is how he presents her to the princess at the end of the book). I thought the title had something to do with A Rose in Winter or December, but searches for that have not produced it.

[Becca]

The Snow Rose by Sandra Laroche

[Kris]

Naomi, can you describe the illustrations - e.g., simple or detailed, realistic or cartoon-like, painted watercolors or bold graphics, bright or dark colors, black & white? Do they remind you of a similar illustrator or picture book author?

[Naomi]

Thank you! Becca it is indeed The Snow Rose by Sandra Laroche! Thanks so much! I've been wanting to find this book for years. Already ordered a copy off Amazon. Thanks again!