Snowman Magic: Great for Holiday and Christmas Reading or Gifting

by Katherine Tegen, Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

When George stays home from school for a snow day, he finds himself staring out the window, bored. But when he sees the beautiful white slopes in his yard, he gets himself dressed to face the cold weather. George starts rolling the snow into balls and assembling them into a snowman. After his snowman is made, something unexpected happens! How long will George's enchanted fun with his new friend last? In this original tale, Katherine Tegen has captured all the magic of the snowman, while Brandon Dorman's lush illustrations truly bring him to life.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Childrens, Holiday, Storytime, Fantasy, Magic

32 pages, Hardcover

First published October 1, 2012

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I have definitely enjoyed Snowman Magic considerably more than I thought I would (for oh no, not yet another snowman who comes alive tale, that was my original and I admit rather cynical reaction to Snowman Magic).

Both Katherine Tegen's text and Brandon Dorman's illustrations are indeed and definitely delightfully, sweetly enchanting, and the fact that the presented plot-line is actually in my opinion still rather realistic in scope and not all that exaggerated and over the top, this really does make Snowman Magic an absolute winner for me. For although the snowman the little boy makes does of course become animated and proceeds to talk to the boy, they throw snowballs, have their fun together, there is no snowman moving around, going into houses, flying and the like (which truth be told, I personally have always found rather uncanny, even creepy). And to and for me, Snowman Magic is thus and truly a pretty well perfectly lovely marriage of Katherine Tegen’s text and Brandon Forman’s accompanying artwork, fun, joyful, engaging (and the end of Snowman Magic, while the snowman has obviously melted, there is also no major heartbreak, no all encompassing sadness, just the little boy with anticipation waiting for more snow to fall in order for him to build another and perhaps once again magical snowman). Highly and warmly (with no pun intended) recommended, and especially for those readers who like me have never really found Raymond Briggs' snowman story all that wonderful.

[SamZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really loved this snowman story! I loved how the boy played and played with his snowman, reminding me of the way kids seem to find entertainment in the simplest things. I also loved that at the end George couldn't wait to start all over and make a new "magic" snowman!

[Dolly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't sure if our girls would consider this story too 'babyish' but I was willing to give it a shot. While the young boy is a bit younger than they are, I know they could appreciate the fun of getting to stay home from school and make a big snowman.

We talked about the difficulties in making such a big snowman (we had to use boards as an incline plane in order to get the middle and top snowballs on top of ours), but we also talked about the fun of having a magical friend.

Part of the story seemed very disjointed, when George puts the hot chocolate on the snow table (where did this come from?!?), but otherwise the story was fun to read aloud. We enjoyed reading this book together.

This book was featured as one of the selections for the December 2014 Snowmen-themed reads for the Picture-Book Club in the Children's Books Group here at Goodreads.

[Beverly · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story in this book was a little bit similar to Raymond Briggs' The Snowman, but shorter, simpler and without the flying around. I also don't think it was as emotionally involving as Briggs book, since at the end, after his snowman's meltdown, the little boy cheerfully starts making a new snowman. The illustrations are very nice, colorful and bright against the white and blue snow. So, a very nice story, one that children will enjoy, but not as good as the classic. However, it would work better in a story time than Briggs' book.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, this is a simple tale of a young boy creating a snowman..who then comes to life and plays with the boy. But the illustrations really bring the story to life...they are really wonderful and evoke the magic and wonder of creating snowmen and snow forts. (And to be honest, I am a girl who grew up in AZ and never made snowmen as a child...and honestly don't enjoy it that much as an adult living in a colder climate...don't like to be cold...but my children find it enjoyable and I can appreciate its wonder when I watch them...or read books like this one!)

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice story about a boy making a snowman who magically comes to life. Of course he melts. The kids loved the predictability of the book and enjoyed being correct a about the story. The illustrations were beautiful too.

[Katie Krimmel · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is no kid that doesn’t love a wintery snowy day. This is because they can make snow balls, snow forts, and make snowmen. Snowman Magic by Katherine Tegen is a new tale of the story Frosty the Snowman. It tells the story of a boy who wakes up to find a winter wonderland outside and decides to spend the day building snowballs, snow forts and of course a snowman that comes alive to play with him. This story may be similar to a classic tale, but I think it can stand on its own as a new and modern winter story.

The illustrations by Brandon Dorman compliment the story line very well. The scenes are full of simple colors and wintery landscapes.

This book is a great book for the whole winter season, before or after the holidays. It will get kids wanting to get out and getting exercise while playing in the snow and building their own snowmen. I would recommend this book to first through fourth grade, because it is not only a great read out loud book, but it can also give teachers ideas on winter projects for their students.

Tegen, K. B., & Dorman, B. (2012). Snowman magic. New York: Harper.

[Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 STARS

I found this enjoyable story and appreciated the imagination involved. Although the storytelling didn't wow me, I enjoyed the overall effect and I liked the illustrations quite a bit. The snowman's smile is darling, and I especially liked the boy's expression, so full of awe and jow, when he sees the snowman come to life. I appreciated that the story had the typical "melted snomwan" element but that there was a positive and imaginative result (rather than the finality and heartache that comes with some snowman stories) since all the elements were there to build the snowman up again; since he truly existed in the boy's imagination, it makes perfect sense he could come back again with the new snow and the "magic" it brought.

[Cosette · Rating 5 out of 5]

I liked the snowman.

[Ben Truong · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snowman Magic is a children's picture book written by Katherine Tegen and illustrated by Brandon Dorman. It centers on a tale of a short-lived snowman.

Tegen's text is rather simplistic and straightforward. Tegen doesn't dwell on such unpleasantness, though the very next morning, snow is falling again, and Dorman's paintings offer quintessentially wintry delights on every page.

The premise of the book is rather straightforward. After a boy named George carefully builds a snowman, it magically comes to life. George and the snowman run and play in the plush snow, but the following morning see warmer temperatures. By Monday, the snowman is a horribly misshapen lump, but with a promise of future snow days.

All in all, Snowman Magic is a nice story about a boy and his snowman.

[Mrs. Mounce · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snowman Magic is a super cute story about a little boy named George who has to stay home from school due to a snow day. He puts on his warmest clothes, heads outside and starts rolling balls into a snowman. He soon realizes there is something very magical about his snowman!
This story is written with such a great description and cute pictures! It’s always fun to read books like this to get that snow day feeling! 🌨⛄️❄️

[Kelly Wickham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a sweet little book about a boy that is very excited about the snow falling. He goes outside and builds a snowman and imagines all kinds of adventures that he has playing with him. The illustrations and are clear, colorful, and interesting with lots of things to see. The little boy is drawn as a very cute and expressive boy.

[Wyatt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a pretty good book. I think it would be good for a bedtime story or a good book for a beginning reader. There are illustration on every page and takes about five minutes to read. It is about a little boy who is stuck at home and goes out side to build a snowman. then something magical happens. Get the book to find out what happens.

[AMY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great snow story! A boy named George builds a snowman that magically comes to life. The illustrations match the text well and are very pretty, modern and fun. Great story for grades 1-3. Highly recommended.

[Courtney Stevens · Rating 2 out of 5]

Typical story of a boy going outside and building a snowman. But this time, the snowman came to life! They play and after a couple of days, it warms up and the poor snowman melts. Predictable storyline. Fun illustrations.

[Saravanadharsan Premkumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When George stays home from school for a snow day, he finds himself staring out the window, bored. But when he sees the beautiful white slopes in his yard, he gets himself dressed to face the cold weather. George starts rolling the snow into balls and assembling them into a snowman. After his snowman is made, something unexpected happens! How long will George's enchanted fun with his new friend last?

[Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

A snowy day finds George home, and bored. The next day after it quits snowing, George ventures out into his backyard, and builds himself a snowman. The snowman comes alive, and he and George spend the day enjoying themselves. As the weather warms, George notices the changes in his snowman.

[Abbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an adorable story about a child who builds a snowman that comes to life. It definitely provokes feeling of childhood magic and joy around winter and snow. The story is cute and fun and the illustrations are beautifully done.

[funny dot J · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like that book because the first page has a snowman The second page the snowman melts and then he build it again.

[Trish · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a cute book about making a snowman.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Snowman Magic is a cute story about finding the joy in winter, snow, and building snowmen.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute snowman book

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think that this is a really good book to read with younger kids involving winter. It incorporates several winter discussion points. Will definitely read again. (Read with PreK)

[Sonja H · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay story about a boy who build a snowman and plays with it for a couple days

[Thelma Fountain · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a charming book about a little boy who gets to take a snow day from school and build a snowman! A very sweet book. recommend.

[Alicia Steagall · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sweet and adorable story.

[Jeanine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The idea is fine, but the story and writing is lacking fluidity. Each page feels choppy which made the story feel long.

Cute illustrations.

[Karin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun! Snowman can be so magical.

[Ashley Reeh]

Summary: When George woke up it was snowing! Everything was covered in fluffy white snow and he had all day to do nothing but play in it. He bundled up in overalls, a hat, and gloves and went outside. He decided to build a snowman and began by rolling three big balls of snow each a little smaller than the last. Once he piled those atop each other he headed back inside to get a carrot, a scarf, and the other essentials he needed to complete his snowman. His snow man was finally complete and he was absolutely perfect! George raced inside to make 2 cups of hot chocolate, one for him and one for Mr. Snowman. When he got back outside something magical happened. His snowman came to life! They played for the rest of the day, throwing snowballs, building forts, and chasing each other around the yard. The next day was a little warmer but George and Mr. Snowman still played all day. George could tell the snow man was quite as energetic as he had been the day before and it seemed like it had something to do with the weather. George knew it would only get warmer in the days to come and Mr. Snowman might melt. What would he do without his new friend? Would it snow again so he could rebuild him and would he come to life again?

Activity: Have the children draw a picture of themselves and their own perfect snowman. Also have them write their own story about what they would do if their snowman came to life to play with them for one day.

Citation:
Tegen, K., & Dorman, B. (2012). Snowman magic. New York: Harper.

[Kendra · Rating 3 out of 5]

We love snowman books, my kiddos love winter so much that they love reading books of snowman all year long. Mason received this book from his teacher from Christmas. Snowman Magic by Katherine Tegen and illustrated by Brandon Dorman, is about a little boy who was home from school because it was a snow day. (Sad part is we may never get snow days anymore) When he was looking out of the window bored. He says the white slopes in his yard. He gets ready to head outside and starts to assemble a snowman. After his snowman is made something happens the snowman comes alive (Frosty the snowman...) How long will George's snowman last?

The illustrations in this book are amazing. I loved how Brandon Dorman used so many colors and brought winter to life in the book. This book really didn't hold much of my kids attention once they got past the illustrations. It left them bored and it wasn't as enjoyment to read at all. We felt like it lacked depth and a story. We wanted to know more about the main character George and his snowmen. I do not recommend checking this book.