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The Mitford Snowmen
It s Yuletide in Mitford, and the big news in town is the First Annual Snowman Jubilee. Father Tim and Uncle Billy have teamed up on an entry they think is a shoe-in, but they face some tough competition from Percy and J.C. With everyone so busy trying to win, will they ever remember the true meaning of the holiday?
The charming, small-format, illustrated gift edition will be a special treat for every Mitford fan, both at Christmas and throughout the year.
32 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 2001
2 people are currently reading
1274 people want to read
About the author
Jan Karon
132 books2,867 followersBorn Janice Meredith Wilson in 1937, Jan Karon was raised on a farm near Lenoir, North Carolina. Karon knew at a very early age that she wanted to be a writer. She penned her first novel when she was 10 years old, the same year she won a short-story contest organized by the local high school. Karon married as a teenager and had a daughter, Candace.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.
During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.
The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.
Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.
Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.
At 18, Karon began working as a receptionist for a Charlotte, N.C. advertising agency. She advanced in the company after leaving samples of her writing on the desk of her boss, who eventually noticed her talent. Karon went on to have a highly successful career in the field, winning awards for ad agencies from Charlotte to San Francisco. In time, she became a creative vice president at the high-profile McKinney & Silver, in Raleigh. While there, she won the prestigious Stephen Kelly Award, with which the Magazine Publishers of America honor the year's best print campaign.
During her years in advertising, Karon kept alive her childhood ambition to be an author. At the age of 50, she left her career in advertising and moved to Blowing Rock, North Carolina, to pursue that dream. After struggling—and failing—to get a novel underway, Karon awoke one night with a mental image of an Episcopal priest walking down a village street. She grew curious about him, and started writing. Soon, Karon was publishing weekly installments about Father Tim in her local newspaper, The Blowing Rocket, which saw its circulation double as a result. "It certainly worked for Mr. Dickens", says Karon.
The Father Tim stories became Karon's first Mitford novel, At Home in Mitford. That book has since been nominated three times (1996, 1997, and 1998) for an ABBY (American Booksellers Book of the Year Award), which honors titles that bookstore owners most enjoy recommending to customers, and the only book ever nominated for three consecutive years. The fourth Mitford novel, A New Song, won both the Christy and Gold Medallion awards for outstanding contemporary fiction in 2000. A Common Life, In This Mountain, and Shepherds Abiding have also won Gold Medallion awards. Out to Canaan was the first Mitford novel to hit the New York Times bestseller list; subsequent novels have debuted on the New York Times list, often landing the #1 spot.
Karon has also published two Christmas-themed books based on the Mitford series, The Mitford Snowmen and Esther's Gift, as well as Jan Karon's Mitford Cookbook and Kitchen Reader. Other Mitford books include Patches of Godlight: Father Tim's Favorite Quotes, a compilation of wit and wisdom, and A Continual Feast: Words of Comfort and Celebration, Collected by Father Tim. In addition, Karon has written two children's books, Miss Fannie's Hat and Jeremy: The Tale of an Honest Bunny, and an illustrated book for all ages, The Trellis and the Seed.
Karon says her character-driven work seeks to give readers a large, extended family they can call their own. Though Light From Heaven is officially the final novel in the series, there's yet another Mitford book in this prolific author. Karon urges her millions of ardent fans to look for the Mitford Bedside Companion, releasing in the Fall of 2006. "It has everything in it but the kitchen sink", says Karon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews
May 13, 2012
Don't bother with this if you've not read the Mitford books before. I haven't (to be honest, I'd never even heard of them) and read this because I was looking for something Christmasy. What a waste. The pictures were...nice?, but there was no story to speak of. I have no idea who the characters were, what they were talking about, or why I should care.
I can't speak on whether this is worthwhile for people who do enjoy the Mitford books, but be warned that this story would probably fit on one single-spaced typed page, so don't expect too much.
I can't speak on whether this is worthwhile for people who do enjoy the Mitford books, but be warned that this story would probably fit on one single-spaced typed page, so don't expect too much.
December 26, 2015
Let me preface this by explaining that December of 2015 has been a snowman month for me.
1. Received a snowman stocking to hang for St. Nick to fill.
2. Received a separate snowman stocking for my kitten from the vets.
3. Received a locally made beer with a snowman label.
4. Received a little music box that plays "Walking In The Air" from The Snowman animated short.
5. Received a scarf with an embroidered snowman.
6. Received several snowman Christmas cards. To better define, 80% of the cards had snowmen.
7. Received a set of drinking glasses with snowman artwork.
8. Received a vinyl LP of holidays songs sung by Burl Ives, who voiced a snowman in the Rudolph the red-Nosed Reindeer tv special.
Someone is trying to tell me something, I think.
So, of course, my Christmas Day book review will be about...wait for it...snowmen. This is a Christmas stocking stuffer book, small enough to fit in a larger stocking and quick to read before the milk gets cold (I warmed the cup for St. Nick, then I drank it...another story).
I have never read any "Mitford" books, nor do I frequent Hallmark stores to purchase snowman ornaments, so I thought I had a child's book in my hands. Turns out it's about a small town where the local characters compete to build snowmen for a prize of doughnuts. Nothing special, nothing bad. Christmas-y.
As for doughnuts, I took my elderly father out for a Christmas Day drive, expecting everything to be closed. We happened upon an open, but empty, doughnut shop where we enjoyed the fresh creations and quite possibly the best latte breve I've ever tasted (it was cold today). This all relates to this book, because after about ten minutes, other people driving by saw us eating, and then they stopped. Then more stopped, and before we knew it, the little shop was crowded. Strangers came over to thank my father for his service in the war (he was wearing a WWII cap), and strangers were shaking hands and saying "Merry Christmas" all over. All because we chanced upon an empty shop which needed someone hungry enough to sit down and eat.
Like this book states, doughnuts make a better world. And Merry Christmas to all.
Book Season = Winter (silver bells)
1. Received a snowman stocking to hang for St. Nick to fill.
2. Received a separate snowman stocking for my kitten from the vets.
3. Received a locally made beer with a snowman label.
4. Received a little music box that plays "Walking In The Air" from The Snowman animated short.
5. Received a scarf with an embroidered snowman.
6. Received several snowman Christmas cards. To better define, 80% of the cards had snowmen.
7. Received a set of drinking glasses with snowman artwork.
8. Received a vinyl LP of holidays songs sung by Burl Ives, who voiced a snowman in the Rudolph the red-Nosed Reindeer tv special.
Someone is trying to tell me something, I think.
So, of course, my Christmas Day book review will be about...wait for it...snowmen. This is a Christmas stocking stuffer book, small enough to fit in a larger stocking and quick to read before the milk gets cold (I warmed the cup for St. Nick, then I drank it...another story).
I have never read any "Mitford" books, nor do I frequent Hallmark stores to purchase snowman ornaments, so I thought I had a child's book in my hands. Turns out it's about a small town where the local characters compete to build snowmen for a prize of doughnuts. Nothing special, nothing bad. Christmas-y.
As for doughnuts, I took my elderly father out for a Christmas Day drive, expecting everything to be closed. We happened upon an open, but empty, doughnut shop where we enjoyed the fresh creations and quite possibly the best latte breve I've ever tasted (it was cold today). This all relates to this book, because after about ten minutes, other people driving by saw us eating, and then they stopped. Then more stopped, and before we knew it, the little shop was crowded. Strangers came over to thank my father for his service in the war (he was wearing a WWII cap), and strangers were shaking hands and saying "Merry Christmas" all over. All because we chanced upon an empty shop which needed someone hungry enough to sit down and eat.
Like this book states, doughnuts make a better world. And Merry Christmas to all.
Book Season = Winter (silver bells)
December 20, 2021
A fun, Christmasy book!
December 28, 2014
It was cute ... an almost nothing to it story ... but painted a nice picture of a bunch of people building snowmen in a quiet town, and the mayor offering donuts as the prize. Just a quick read that reminded me of the winter that is apparently over for this year.
December 2014 ... re-read today and enjoyed this story of a town setting aside their petty differences of opinion to have fun together. A really beautiful idea.
December 2014 ... re-read today and enjoyed this story of a town setting aside their petty differences of opinion to have fun together. A really beautiful idea.
July 27, 2024
Christmas in July!
Saw this little book at the library and borrowed it on a whim. I think this story would be unintelligible to people who haven't read any of the series, but as a long-time reader, I enjoyed it! I wish it was longer, it was only 20 pages and half of those are only Christmas drawings on on side of the page, so it's suuuuuuuper short.
But enjoyed seeing a lot of our beloved Mitford characters, so it was fun!
Saw this little book at the library and borrowed it on a whim. I think this story would be unintelligible to people who haven't read any of the series, but as a long-time reader, I enjoyed it! I wish it was longer, it was only 20 pages and half of those are only Christmas drawings on on side of the page, so it's suuuuuuuper short.
But enjoyed seeing a lot of our beloved Mitford characters, so it was fun!
December 26, 2025
Give me a glazed donut and call me bookworm because I just read this in 20 minutes.
Favorite quote: “the ballpark is the only answer.” I don’t want to hear ballpark again in this dadgum conversation!”
Short and sweet. It was a bit hard to follow the characters as there seemed to be a new one introduced each sentence but I got the vibe of a chaotic small town excited with winter cheer.
Favorite quote: “the ballpark is the only answer.” I don’t want to hear ballpark again in this dadgum conversation!”
Short and sweet. It was a bit hard to follow the characters as there seemed to be a new one introduced each sentence but I got the vibe of a chaotic small town excited with winter cheer.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2018
This was such a cute book. Since we have lots of snow right now and it was leftover on my Dec Christmas to be read list I read it last night. I love the easy going nature that Jan Karon writes her books.
December 9, 2022
This is a very short story, perfect for the lovers of Karon’s Mitford series. The reader will hear from many of her characters, the Mitford townsfolk, and will be cheered. I smiled as I closed the book.
December 14, 2019
Very cute short story
December 18, 2021
I read this and immediately passed it on. What fun.
July 28, 2025
Cute quick Christmas book. I love the slang in it. It really builds the vibe of the town.
December 21, 2025
what a darling Christmas story!
December 19, 2023
it's really a story, rather than a book but a cute quick read for the season!
December 24, 2019
••••••••• I really liked this book ! It was a nice sweet little book that could be read in 5-10 mini max!
It was a bit confusing at first because you couldn’t really understand why they were trying to make the field a parking lot and so on and so forth! ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️❄️
It was a bit confusing at first because you couldn’t really understand why they were trying to make the field a parking lot and so on and so forth! ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️❄️
March 14, 2009
This is probably one of my favorite of the Mitford books. Of course, it helps that I already know and love the characters from the earlier books in the series. I love the idea of the snow and the magic that it brings- rekindling childlike behavior in some of the grumpiest of towns folk. Also, I love that the snowmen take on the personalities of the folks who made them. Someday, very soon, I will go up the mountains again to magical Mitford. I like to re-read this book during the Christmas holidays.
December 31, 2021
Dec 15, 2016
3 stars
Dec 30, 2021
A short story featuring Mitford and a spontaneous snowman building contest on Main Street. Lovely to visit old friends even if it's a brief visit. Very cute, colorful illustrations.
4 stars
3 stars
Dec 30, 2021
A short story featuring Mitford and a spontaneous snowman building contest on Main Street. Lovely to visit old friends even if it's a brief visit. Very cute, colorful illustrations.
4 stars
December 17, 2009
Cute little Christmas story. If only we had snow these days to make snowmen. I'm in the Christmas mood!
July 25, 2011
another adorable short story but wished there was more to it....
June 17, 2016
I like the snowmen story much better. Still a real short Christmas story.....maybe a 10 minute read.
December 9, 2021
This is a very short book but I enjoyed it. I need you need to be familiar with the rest of the books to enjoy this one.
April 7, 2023
A cute story about a snowman building contest on Main Street. The watercolor images were beautiful and added to the story.
December 10, 2025
Another short, amazing Christmas book!
December 11, 2019
My Review: I have never read any of Karon's works before, so was unfamiliar with her Mitford town setting, but the small size and the beautiful watercolor cover really attracted me to this story. I think if I had been more familiar with the characters I would have enjoyed this one a bit more. With that said it was still a great little holiday story. I loved the sense of community I got from just the few short pages of this story. I also loved that it was all seemingly cranky older characters getting into the spirit by building unique snowmen. The addition of the beautiful watercolor images just adds to the feeling of the story.
January 2, 2021
This small book is a nice quick Holiday book. Nothing real fancy or special about it. But just a setting of a town where one person started building a snowman in front of her store, another started doing the same and somewhere along the way someone said that it was a contest so everyone wanted to join along. In the end there really wasn't a contest but the community came together, joining together for just some simple 'child like fun'. Enjoying each others company and companionship.
Apparently Hallmark has figurines to go along with the Mitford snowmen...or the book was written in honor of the figurines
Apparently Hallmark has figurines to go along with the Mitford snowmen...or the book was written in honor of the figurines
December 11, 2018
Very short, cute short story. I haven’t read The Mitford series but it wasn’t necessary to enjoy the book. (Although I am familiar with its characters, the setting, etc.)
[Note] Since the Mitford holiday books are very short, for tracking purposes I’m including the following recent reads amidst the hundreds of children’s books read daily during 2018 as Nana.
—Biscuit’s Christmas by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
—Here Comes Santa
—Let it Snow by Maryann Cocoa-Leffler
—Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee
[Note] Since the Mitford holiday books are very short, for tracking purposes I’m including the following recent reads amidst the hundreds of children’s books read daily during 2018 as Nana.
—Biscuit’s Christmas by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
—Here Comes Santa
—Let it Snow by Maryann Cocoa-Leffler
—Tracks in the Snow by Wong Herbert Yee
October 23, 2022
This is a great story about the Mitford Snowmen. Everyone in town is seeing Winnie Ivey's snowman being built on the the front of her Sweet Stuff Bakery. Percy Mosely, owner of Main Street Bar and Grill, begins making a snowman after he sees Winnie's. He saw Hope Winchester working hard on a snowman in front of her store, Happy Endings Bookstore. What is going on? A contest? Someone offers up a prize, and the mayor, Ester Cunningham is volunteered as the judge, even though a judge was never suggested. What is going on?
December 27, 2024
Spontaneity and snow. That’s what it takes to make people forget about the storm and focus on town unity, and it’s the mayor who ultimately solves what could have been a prickly problem.
The folks in Mitford turned out after a snowstorm and just began spontaneously building snowmen downtown. They self-select into small groups and build their snowmen in what turns out to be a good-natured competition.
This is short on words but long on Christmas spirit, and it’s very much in the spirit of the Mitford series.
The folks in Mitford turned out after a snowstorm and just began spontaneously building snowmen downtown. They self-select into small groups and build their snowmen in what turns out to be a good-natured competition.
This is short on words but long on Christmas spirit, and it’s very much in the spirit of the Mitford series.
December 6, 2025
A great read that makes you smile. Spoiler Alert: Mitford gets its first snow of the year. All the businesses on Main Street have a snowman building contest. The mayor declares everyone is a winner and treats all the contestants to doughnuts and hot chocolate.
The book was originally sold through Hallmark Gold Crown Stores in 2001. My library has a copy, and I stumbled across it yesterday. It is available from several sources online. If you know someone who loves the Mitford series by Jan Karon, this could be a real surprise stocking stuffer.
The book was originally sold through Hallmark Gold Crown Stores in 2001. My library has a copy, and I stumbled across it yesterday. It is available from several sources online. If you know someone who loves the Mitford series by Jan Karon, this could be a real surprise stocking stuffer.
April 12, 2020
Like Esther's Gift, I had "read" this story many times as an appendix to Shepherd's Abiding on Audible. Only recently did I realize it was offered as a novella in its own right. It's short and not as "meaty" as the rest of the series, but it provides a heart-warming glimpse into our Mitford friends in the midst of a snowman-building contest that spontaneously erupts on Main Street. It's a seasonal must for every Mitfordian at heart.
December 26, 2021
My mom is a big fan of the Mitford series and this year for Christmas I managed to track down one of the Mitford Snowman ornaments for her (it's super cute lol). She then lent me this book to read for some context. I know these characters at all because I haven't read the books but this was cute.
Also a quick read which is what I need to finish off my 2021 reading goal. I'm really just happy she liked the ornament so much!
Also a quick read which is what I need to finish off my 2021 reading goal. I'm really just happy she liked the ornament so much!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 247 reviews