When It Snows

by Richard Collingridge

When everything grinds to a halt because of the snow, one small boy and his teddy bear refuse to allow the weather to spoil their fun. They embark on an amazing journey in which they ride a polar bear and meet huge snowmen, an ice queen, fairies, elves, a giant reindeer and Father Christmas.

And at the very end of the story, in a wonderfully cosy and festive fireside scene, there’s a clever twist - he has simply become immersed in the magical scenes of his favourite book.

This is David Fickling's When It Snows.

Genres: Picture Books, Christmas, Fantasy, Childrens, Fiction, Books About Books, Animals

32 pages, Hardcover

First published September 27, 2012

About the author

Richard Collingridge was born in London Hammersmith, studied Illustration then went to Paris to live for a while (4 years),
then got bored and decided to come back to England.

At about the age of five Richard noticed that real people didn't look like a bunch of sticks with a circle on the top.
But to his amazement, no one else in his classroom, including the teachers, seemed to be able to see this.
So with this secret in mind, he decided that when he grew up, he wanted to draw pictures for a living.

He has always enjoyed creating different worlds and universes for his non-stick people, and after illustrating book covers
and other people's stories, he decided to put some words next to his own drawings.
This seemed to work quite well - Debut ‘When it Snows’ was released in 2013 & his second book ‘Lionheart’ is out now!


His clients include David Fickling Books, Walker Books, Albin Michel, Feiwel & Friends, Frances Lincoln, Hodder Children's,
Tamarind, Aschehoug & Co, The Phoenix Comic, Red Fox, Gottmar, WSOY and Random House Childrens Books.

Reviews

[Hilary · Rating 2 out of 5]

I got this out of the library today and just noticed I have read this before so it obviously wasn't memorable. The illustrations are nice but there is too much misty eyed magic on every page for my taste, I prefer something a bit more subtle. I found the story lacking.

[Nhi Nguyễn · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a perfect wintry read with gorgeous illustrations. The book takes us on a beautiful, magical and magnificent journey with the main character - a child. The ending highlights the beauty and power of imagination and reading, which I absolutely love!

[Linda Lipko · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful tale of a boy and snow. This is a charming story filled with lovely illustrations. As the boy trudges through the deep snow with his teddy bear, he finds the place where the snowmen live. He follows the bright light into the dark through the forest where he meets the Queen of the Poles. She takes him to a dark place where he is surrounded with tiny fairies that glow, thousands of elves, reindeer, and Santa Claus.

The boy can go there as many times as he likes because his favorite book takes him there.

The illustrations are incredibly soft and beautiful. I'll keep this book in my collection.

[Carly · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best way to sum up When it Snows would be to say it's truly magical! This is an extremely simplistic book but what makes it so special is the fantastic illustrations, that transport the reader to another magical world that is full of adventure and sparkle! There aren't too many words but I think it's not about how much is written but how powerful those little snip-its are. I think the length is just perfect for little ones who might not sit for more lengthy books. This really is a fabulous debut from Richard Collingridge that proves the point that stepping into a book can be pure magic! Definitely the perfect book to get you feeling all Christmassy!

A BIG 5 Stars!

Carly
http://fictionfascination.blogspot.co...

[Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautifully illustrated Christmas book. this manages to convey all the fun and excitement of the festive season with delightful and evocative images for children of all ages.. and their parents :) highly recommended

[Jenna Mills · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful illustrations though a little strange. I love the end. It's a bit sad it's a Christmas book rather than just a winter book which could last all winter long.

[Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Raamatu on kirjutanud/joonistanud üks mees, kes 5-aastaselt sai aru, et inimesed pole vaid kriips ja ring selle otsas. Nüüdseks on ta suur mees, kes õppis ülikoolis joonistamist ja on loonud selle väga ilusate piltidega raamatu! Erkile meeldis - eriti pilt päkapikkudest.

[Julie Guzzetta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Imaginative and beautiful! Includes the magic of snow and more gorgeous illustrations.

[Baby Bookworm · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review was originally written for The Baby Bookworm. Visit us for new picture books reviews daily!

Merry Christmas, friends! We are celebrating with the last book in our holiday countdown, When It Snows by Richard Collingridge. This gorgeous fable tells the story of the journeys a young boy makes into a world of magic each snowfall.

Whenever the snow falls, the little boy and his faithful teddy bear begin their journey. They walk past the frozen cars and trains, following the footprints to the beautiful open fields, crisp and white with snow and filled with joyful children. They travel past the land of snowmen, on into the dark night and through the shadowy forest, led by a single floating light by which to see. They are greeted by the queen of the forest and hundreds of elves, who take them to see a very special friend, a familiar figure in a jolly red suit…

AMAZING. We were blown away by Collingridge’s Lionheart last year, so we couldn’t wait to read When It Snows, and it was even better than we had imagined. Spare, lyrical text invites the reader along on a magical winter adventure, brought to life through the jaw-droppingly enchanting illustrations, leading to a final page so unexpected and perfect that it made me gasp with delight as we read. The length is great, and JJ and I both adored it. This is a stunning book, both in art and story, and would be a wonderful addition to any child’s library. We highly recommend it, and it’s Baby Bookworm approved!

Be sure to check out The Baby Bookworm for more reviews!

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted on Once Upon a Bookcase.

I don't normally review children's picture books; I don't have any need, there are no close young children in my family, and I don't really get too much from the stories as they are for toddlers. Books for children a little older can be really good, but picture books have never really appealed to me. Until I saw When It Snows.

At 30 pages - including the title pages and the very last page, as they are also illustrated - When It Snows is very short book, with very few words on the pages. The story is very simple, but really sweet. What I love most about this book - and what had me wanting to read it in the first place - are the illustrations. The paintings. They are absolutely beautiful! The attention to detail, the light and shade and the undeniable talent of Collingridge... it's just breath taking. These paintings are something I would love to have hanging on my wall, they're just gorgeous! And you can see the texture of the canvas in the paintings too, which I think is just awesome. Watch the trailer to get an idea of just how beautiful the illustrations are. Go ahead, I'll wait.

As I said, the story is really sweet, too. As well as being very Christmassy, in a very simple way, it gets to the very heart of what reading can do; take you and your imagination off on a magical adventure (or rephrase depending on the genre you're reading). It's a book about reading, and as such, it's a great book to encourage children to read more, as it's saying, "This is the wonder of books, they can take you away again and again".

A simply beautiful, magical picture book. Every child should have one, even if it's just so their parents can enjoy the treasure that it is.

Thank you to David Fickling Books for the review copy.

[Katey Lovell · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a perfect wintery read to enjoy with a child, then When It Snows could be the answer to your prayers. It is a captivating book, with illustrations that will whisk both young and old away. The simple, short sentences allow the beautiful artwork to do the talking. Unsurprisingly this book was shortlisted for the V and A illustration award 2013- the illustrations really are mesmerising.



My son (age 5) really enjoyed this book and loved the adventures, although was disappointed by the revelation at the end. I must admit that I can understand why- although reassuring and cosy to adult eyes, the final scene is perhaps not as gripping as children expect. However, this gentle story would work well at bedtime and the detailed illustrations offer many opportunities for discussion.



Out now in paperback with brighter, clearer artwork, this enchanting book would be a great addition to pre-schoolers/infants bookshelves.

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Age P. This is a magical story about a little boy and his teddy bear that goes on a journey. They ride a train, meet a giant snowman,encounter elves, fairies and a giant reindeer. The illustrations are soft and a create a fairy tale like landscape. This book can be read both at home and in school. Preschoolers would love to think about how they would feel (scared, excited) if they went on the same journey as the little boy. Although not central to the theme, there is a seasonal component (Christmas) so some may not be comfortable using this book in a class setting. The end of the story shows the little boy beside a fireplace, lost in his book.

[Tanya Srivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow is the only word for this book. It's illustrations are so beautiful and mesmerising that you believe to be real. Story is about magical imaginative journey to other far land.

When is Snows, everything gets disappeared. So the boy follows the footprints until he finds a new way to get around. He plays whole day to the land where snowmen live. And when sun sinks, he follows a bright light into the dark and meets Queen of the Poles. She takes him to a secret place where tiny fairies glow and he sees thousand if elves and other magical creatures. And he can go there everyday because his favourite book takes him there.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the luminous illustrations in this lovely picture book, falling snow brings magic. One boy watches as the white stuff covers everything around him, including the cars and trains outside. He and his stuffed toy follow others moving around in the snow and end up meeting the Queen of the Poles, elves, reindeer, and Saint Nicholas. This is an appealing shout-out to the power books have to take us to magical places. I'm glad for the reminder of the wonders that can be found inside the cover of a book.

[Melissa ♥ Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young boy takes a fantastic journey through the snow, past a village of snowmen, through a dark forest and into the enchanted land of the North pole filled with elves, fairies and reindeer. The small twist at the end of the story will tug on the heartstrings of every bookworm.

This children’s book is pure magic: from the simple language to the amazingly gorgeous illustrations…you’ll want to keep flipping through the pages to see what else has been captured by this amazing illustrator.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated, limited text picture book that showcases a child's imagination through a world of stories. When a boy and his beloved teddy bear are snowed in, they escape to fantastical adventures through his mind's eye as he reads his favorite books.

When It Snows is a magical book that will have young and old in awe of its carefully crafted illustrations that brings this 'snuggle-up' book life.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

After reading When It Snows written and illustrated by Richard Collingridge, I guarantee you'll always be wondering and waiting to visit the same places, beings and creatures as did the boy and his teddy bear. Maybe, just maybe, you will be able to do that very thing. This is one of those titles you can expect to hear the words "Read it again".

My full review: http://librariansquest.blogspot.com/2...

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a beautiful picture book this is - full of delightful festive illustrations. There aren't many words but they manage to convey the story very well, taking us with one small boy on a Christmas trip. The twist at the end, when we realise he hasn't actually left home but is simply absorbed in his favourite book, is just lovely. Perfect for the very young or the young at heart, I'm very happy to have discovered it.

[Dawn Moews · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book! I see that many other reviewers have used the term magical, and I understand why. When reading it, I was almost certain that the author & illustrator are the same person. They are. The book transported me to a different world. I'm so glad I found this one for a Christmas gift for my grandson. I hope he will love it as much as I do.

[Alex Fairhill · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gorgeous illustrations take a boy through snow-covered towns past where the snowmen live to a secret place with elves and a giant reindeer. Christmas exists in the pictures, which are an atmospheric rendering of a white European winter.
Alex Fairhill blog

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Richard Collingridge's first picture book, a story of a little boy who travels to a magical world when it snows. There is the land where the snowmen live, among other interesting things, and finally a secret place, a twist in the story that you will love. The illustrations are softly rendered, but multi-colored and beautiful.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful, beautiful book. Tremendous illustrations and a sparse story that will delight very young listeners. A perfect book for Christmas and would make an excellent gift for a young child. I'm really quite taken with it!

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

Truth the only part I really enjoyed was the end when it says and I can go there every day... because my favorite book takes me there otherwise the story didn't blow me away.
My 32 month old didn't want to sit through this book.

[Brenda Kahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

The kids I work with daily in "period Kahn" were absolutely entranced by the author's Lionheart. One of them asked me to order more books by him. We found this on our library cooperative's website. Gorgeously illustrated and a bit confusing until the reveal. Wonderful holiday read.

[Charlie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This wonderfully illustrated picture book is reminiscent of The Snow Man, with ethereal beauty and elegant storytelling. A modern winter classic.

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful art. Lovely, simple story about the power of imagination.

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a sweet and beautifully illustrated book!

[Rachel · Rating 3 out of 5]

beautiful illustrations and an imaginative story.

[Jillian · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gorgeously illustrated, sparsely worded tale of a winter fantasy adventure of a young boy on a snow day. A surprise ending will warm the heart of booklovers.

[Hapzydeco · Rating 4 out of 5]

A picture book debut that features not only an eery ode to meg-snow and various large icy creatures, but also a good word at the end for reading itself.