Snowdrops

Adventures of Alex and Katie #3

by Julia Gousseva

A warm June morning at Aunt Karina's house suddenly turns cold. Thick white snowflakes start falling down and covering the ground. Ten-year-old Alex is surprised and delighted. He senses the approach of a new adventure. Together with his nine-year-old sister Katie, they rush into the winter forest in search of a little girl Masha. She is lost in an unexpected storm. They see her footprints in the snow and follow them. The wind is picking up, whistling through tree branches, creating white flurries on the ground and erasing Masha’s footprints. Will they be able to find Masha before the wind completely hides her path? "Alex, look, there she is!" Katie says. In the distance, a person dressed in a white sparkling coat and a silver hat is walking between the trees. Alex and Katie run as fast as they can. "Masha!" The person turns around. It’s not Masha. It’s a tall elderly man with a long white beard. In his right hand, he holds a staff. In his left, he carries a large sack adorned with white sparkling fur. His brows are furrowed, and his eyes look cold and unfriendly. "Who goes here?" the elderly man bellows. "Why are you in my forest? Who invited you here?" He opens his mouth and starts blowing cold air at the kids and at the path, sweeping away all the footprints. Alex shivers. He has never felt that cold in his life. Will he and Katie survive and make it back to Aunt Karina's house? And will they ever find Masha?

Genres: Childrens, Fantasy

78 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 8, 2012

About the author

Julia Gousseva was born and raised in Russia when it was still a part of the Soviet Union, or USSR. For a long time, Russia was hidden behind the Iron Curtain and had a mysterious image of the Evil Empire to many Westerners, specifically Americans. But Russia was a mystery not just to outsiders, but to its own people as well. One of Julia's college history professors used to refer to Russia as a country with unpredictable past. Why? Because every time a new leader came to power, all state-issued history books were changed and rewritten. And all history books were state-issued.

Julia's novel MOSCOW DREAMS is set in Russia and presents life from the perception of everyday people whose lives were dramatically altered by events that have changed and are still changing Russia. Julia's short story collection titled TWELVE MONTHS OF THE SOVIET CHILDHOOD shows life in the Soviet Union before the changes and offer a child's perspective. Her children's stories put whimsical characters from old Russian fairy-tales in modern circumstances for today's kids.

Reviews

[Christoph Fischer]

"Snowdrops: Adventure Three" by Julia Gousseva is another great little story about two children walking through a magical portal into the world of a story they were reading with their aunt.
This story concerns a mean step mother and our heroes set out to help her in her struggles.
Beautifully told and based on original Russian folklore, but updated and modernised in this wonderful way, this is very magical and simply amazing.
Read the whole series, it is worth it.

[Sonya Dodd]

This third story in this folk tale collection does not disappoint.

Continuing the adventures of Alex and Katie whilst they spend the summer with their aunt, this tale takes them back into a fantasy world where they step into a picture.

Here the children learn about the seasons and the importance of being patient and not greedy.

This story, like the others by this author are familiar in their style yet modern in their appeal to a 21st century audience. This is another which is suitable for adults and children as the reader enjoys the adventure with these children.

[Barbara Ann]

Ten-year-old Alex and his nine-year-old sister are staying with their Aunt Karina while their parents are working in Russia. Karina frequently reads the children Russian folktales. But she does more than read those tales, the children have discovered a fireplace that leads to a magic portal through which they become a part of that story.
One day the children are on the porch when the summer weather suddenly turns stormy. Within a matter of minutes, snowdrops are swirling. Alex, Katie and their Aunt Karina retreat to the warmth of the house. Karina reads them a folktale about a girl named Masha who lives with her wicked stepmother, Darya. This stepmother ordered Masha to go into the forest and pick snowdrops even though it was still winter. Alex, Katie, and Karina rush into the forest to save Masha and they proceed to have an adventure in which they meet Father Frost and move through all the seasons of the year. The children learn about the seasons and meet the Twelve Months of the Year.
Will the children and their aunt be able to rescue Masha and prevent Darya from abusing her further?
This is a chapter book that combines elements of fantasy with a Russian folktale and a travel adventure. There are no illustrations. I would recommend this book as a good choice for readers in third through fifth grade.

[Julie Barrett]

Snowdrops Adventure Three by Julia Gousseva
This adventure starts with a story from their aunt about snowdrops and the story is worn out so the kids must go back and finish it.
They head through the portal behind the fireplace and start the new adventure. Love the part about the snowdrops but also learned a few things.
Love the Northern Lights and have yet to see them for myself, maybe one day. Love how the months of the year come together for one day, so cool.
Such cool adventure stories that are read wihin an hour.
Table of contents at the end . Great middle age chapter reading book.

[William O'Brien]

The author blends gossamer substance mixed deep with historic magic.

Snowdrops: Adventure Three (Book #3 in Adventures of Alex and Katie series)
Julia Gousseva

A fantastical read in the fairytale realm from Gousseva in this dramatic classic retelling of this old Russiam tale.

The words waft and drift in the night air as the author blends gossamer substance mixed deep with historic magic. A true drip of words from the tongue of this truly unique writer dress the pages in this wonderful book.

It has been a long time since I have read such a touching and enchanting story.

For the lovers of fairytales, this is one not to be missed- adults to children and grandparents will reminisce wandering through this lovely, forever-lasting story.

A mystical 5***** read - Superb!!!

[Charity Parkerson]

The world outside their aunt's house is filled with fun and educational fantasy. Alex & Kate are at it again and they need to find their way home. This time the children learn about weather and changing seasons. This is a series you can enjoy even as an adult. Another great edition. 5 stars!