Snow Children

by Masako Yamashita

Yuta and Yuna are snow children. They are attending an ice festival in their hometown when they hear about a meeting on global warming. Yuna doesn’t want to go, but Yuta persuades her. On their way they meet a family of rabbits who have almost been buried by an avalanche, hungry polar bears who can no longer hunt on the frozen ocean, and a herd of caribou who can’t find the grasses they like to eat.

Snow people from all around the world have gathered for the meeting, and although Yuta and Yuna feel shy, they tell the group about the animals they have encountered. “Colder is better,” some people say. “Maybe, but what can we do about the heat?” say others.

But when shimmering snowflakes begin to fall, all the snow people are filled with joy. They recognize that they have a beautiful world and that it is up to them to save it.

This is a picture book that works well both as a story and as a vehicle to address the crucial issue of global warming with very young children. It includes facts on the effects of climate change as well as a list of things that even the youngest readers can do to help the situation.

Genres: Environment, Picture Books, Animals, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published July 9, 2012

Reviews

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this to your kids. It’s a great introduction to global warming. It will leave your kids with questions, but it’s a great opportunity to have a good discussion.

8/10 snowmen ⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️⛄️☃️☃️

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[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. An interesting message about global warming, but it did rather leave you hanging.

[Mary · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a commentary on global warming and how children and grownups can work to make it better! This is a longer story, but has a strong message. There are even suggestions of what people can do to make it better.
The snow people go to a meeting about global warming and meet creatures affected by it on their way. They share the stories they’ve learned and encourage everyone to rally together to stop the spread of global warming.

[Jodie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story was not what I was expecting. Turns out it is about global warming and people working together to try to figure out how to stop it. The illustrations are colorful, but it gets too wordy in parts.

[Jj · Rating 1 out of 5]

A meandering and confusing story about global warming. No good story or useful information here. The snow people are cute, of course. Overall: a disappointing volume from a publisher that often delivers interesting and substantial fare off the beaten path.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not what I thought it was going to be about. Takes an environmental spin, but leaves you hanging.

[Christine Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

The idea for this story is good, but this is not a book that I would recommend. I hope that Masako Yamashita continues writing, but I would recommend that the author seeks out a knowledgeable editor.

Global warming -- Juvenile fiction.