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Mouseville

The Biggest Snowman Ever

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Kids will adore this sequel to the New York Times bestseller The Biggest Pumpkin Ever! When the mayor of Mouseville announces the town snowman contest, Clayton and Desmond claim that they will each make the biggest snowman ever. But building a huge snowman alone is hard! They work and work, but their snowmen just aren't big enough. Soon they have an idea. As the day of the contest approaches, Clayton and Desmond join forces to build the biggest snowman ever.

32 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2005

12 people are currently reading
484 people want to read

About the author

Steven Kroll

124 books28 followers
Stephen Kroll spoke at schools and conferences all over the world. He was married to the journalist, Kathleen Beckett, and they lived in New York City and an old carriage house in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. When he was not writing or traveling, he played a lot of tennis and walked around looking at everything.

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5 stars
365 (32%)
4 stars
366 (32%)
3 stars
317 (28%)
2 stars
61 (5%)
1 star
9 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
Profile Image for Calista.
5,436 reviews31.3k followers
February 22, 2020
A beginning story about teamwork and the job of snow. The town has thrown a contest for whoever can build the biggest snowman. Some kids just build a snow martian or snow princess but two friends want to win. They try by themselves and it’s not working, so they decide to work together to win the big prize.

This story is plenty cute and I enjoyed the snowy landscapes and still, the story didn’t really move me much. It was a good story and not much more.

The nephew enjoyed seeing how they built their big snowman. He would love to make a snowman that big. His dad could get the wheelbarrow to help and I’m tall so I could stack the snow up high and he could build a really huge snowman, he claims. I said, it takes snow to do that and there isn’t any this year. Better luck next year. He gave this 3 stars. He then spent 5 minutes coming up with ideas to make a giant snowman.
Profile Image for Luisa Knight.
3,231 reviews1,233 followers
October 28, 2022
Two mice set out to win a prize for the biggest snowman ever. A fun tale!

Ages: 4 - 8

Cleanliness: nothing to note.

**Like my reviews? Then you should follow me! Because I have hundreds more just like this one. With each review, I provide a Cleanliness Report, mentioning any objectionable content I come across so that parents and/or conscientious readers (like me) can determine beforehand whether they want to read a book or not. Content surprises are super annoying, especially when you’re 100+ pages in, so here’s my attempt to help you avoid that!

So Follow or Friend me here on GoodReads! And be sure to check out my bio page to learn a little about me and the Picture Book/Chapter Book Calendars I sell on Etsy!
Profile Image for Erica.
382 reviews11 followers
January 13, 2025
A charming, simple little story about group effort and having a good time!

I listened via audiobook which was narrated by Oliver Wyman, very fun and lively.

The Story
Takes place in a fictional town called Mouseville.

Has great dynamics of characters and plot with plenty of problem-solving and overcoming fun.

The Writing
Cute, perfectly paced, and well-written dialogue to keep the attention of little ones.

Blog post
Profile Image for Nhi Nguyễn.
1,057 reviews1,414 followers
December 19, 2019
A cute story of two mice building the biggest snowman ever from their two snowmen and won the contest. Teamwork makes the dream work. Great for kids to enjoy and have sone fun during Christmas.
Profile Image for Juliana.
946 reviews1 follower
November 29, 2023
Very cute story that shows that when working together, you can achieve your goal. The audiobook was adorable.
Profile Image for Melanie, Aaron, Annie, and Mary Project.
235 reviews3 followers
October 6, 2013
The Biggest Snowman Ever
By Steven Kroll
Illustrations By Jeni Bassett
Grade Levels: K-2
DRA/Lexile Measure/ 580L/2.3
Reviewed By Aaron Carter

This wonderful book is about the town’s snowman building contest, the winner of which will win a prize. After a few days’ time, two contestants discover that their snowmen are equal in size, so in order to win they combine the two to create one massive snowman. By working together they win the prize, which is a large wedge of Swiss cheese. It would be an excellent option for teaching the importance and benefits of teamwork. As for the writing, the sentences are generally short and simple, with much dialogue to which the teacher could emphasize and illustrate fluency. The illustrations nicely complement the storyline.
Profile Image for K.L. Bernard.
Author 1 book22 followers
September 5, 2010
The Biggest Snowman Ever is the story of two friends, Desmond and Clayton, who decide to use teamwork and cooperation to achieve a common goal. Along with the other residents of Mouseville, Desmond and Clayton take full advantage of a winter wonderland where snow can bring endless possibilities.

Accompanied by Jeni Bassett's adorable illustrations, Steven Kroll builds a snowy landscape full of fun, friendly competiton, teamwork and snowmen that are bigger than life
Profile Image for TL *Humaning the Best She Can*.
2,370 reviews166 followers
August 3, 2016



I thought it a nice story and the drawings were cute but for me it was just okay. Little ones I think will enjoy this and it will get them excited to build a snowman themselves (the cold is another story haha ;-) ).

*Read this before putting it away for my niece for christmas*


Profile Image for Mortisha Cassavetes.
2,840 reviews65 followers
December 20, 2018
Such a cute little mousy book! I just loved this story and the wonderful illustrations. The story follows two little mice named Desmond and Clayton who find out the Mayor of Mouseville announced a snowman contest. So they set out each to build the biggest snowman. I don't want to go more into the story not to spoil it but I highly recommend this book to kids of all ages especially during the winter/holiday season.
Profile Image for Daniel.
2,815 reviews42 followers
February 22, 2008
A cute story in which two mice learn that working together can produce a greater effort than both working individually.

The art is nice and the story appropriate. It's not likely to win any major awards or be a household favorite, but it's great for extra, or diversionary reading.

Definitely worth a dollar or two, or checking out from the local library.
Profile Image for Jen.
1,060 reviews27 followers
December 31, 2013
I just love stories with mice in them and this picture book was no different. When the mayor announces a prize for the biggest snowman, every mouse has an idea of what they want to build. Desmond and Clayton are determined that each of they creations will be the biggest. What they find out through the story is that by working together, they can accomplish anything! Great feel good story!
Profile Image for Karen.
757 reviews31 followers
December 30, 2014
A cute book for the holiday season. I bought this book to be a part of my advent reading with my boys. It's a bit young for my 14 year old, but my 9 year old seemed to enjoy it. It showed how working together to meet a goal can be a good thing. All in all a good book and we will read again, but I may give it to some younger kids to be able to enjoy next year.
Profile Image for Alice.
4,307 reviews36 followers
January 22, 2015
3.25 Stars I like snow, I like snowmen...I don't like Miss. While I am willing to forgive Mice who dress up in scarves and play with snow...I didn't love this book. It was fine (yes what every author hopes to hear about their book...fine) but there wasn't anything that stood out. So go out, combine you efforts and make a big snowman!!!
Profile Image for Kasey.
169 reviews1 follower
January 20, 2018
Picture Book #1
The biggest snowman ever is about two mice that enter a snowman contest. In order to win, they decide to work together to make an even bigger snowman. This book was really cute and could be used in the classroom to discuss with students the importance of working together and collaborating with others.
Profile Image for Nicola.
3,652 reviews
March 18, 2018
Miss 3 and I like to explore different books and authors at the library, sometimes around particular topics or themes. We try to get different ones out every week or so; it's fun for both of us to have the variety and to look at a mix of new & favourite authors.

Message was about getting more done by working together (which is nice). Story itself was okay.
Profile Image for Brianna.
19 reviews
December 1, 2018
Fantasy
Grades K-4
Great book for the holiday season. I used this book for a read aloud to get my third grade students in the mindset to write a holiday story! It was a fun and festive lesson all around!
Profile Image for Netanella.
4,771 reviews47 followers
December 26, 2011
A snowman-building contest as a cooperative, rather than competitive, team sport. My 5 year old loved it!
Profile Image for Darinda.
9,281 reviews158 followers
December 31, 2017
Clayton and Desmond each want to build the biggest snowman ever to win the town's snowman contest.

A cute winter story about friendship and teamwork.

Profile Image for Allie.
109 reviews1 follower
January 11, 2018
Cute, simplistic, but good message about working together! (Keep)
Profile Image for Lauren.
702 reviews32 followers
March 16, 2019
This is a great story about working together to achieve a goal.
Profile Image for Jackie Thomas.
13 reviews
December 7, 2019
Very cute story and lesson about working together. Fun book to read with kids in the winter.
Profile Image for Sherry Scheline.
1,765 reviews5 followers
January 9, 2020
I read both The Biggest Snowman Ever and The Biggest, Best Snowman to the kids at Head Start. The kids certainly liked this story better.

I liked it because there is a mouse named Vernon.
Profile Image for Sophie Riggsby / allthingsequilateral.
659 reviews100 followers
Read
February 11, 2012
*Review posted on Mundie Kids on 2/15/2012*


My family loves this story, mostly because we can all relate to little Nell. It's hard being too small and when you ask to help always being reminded that you're too small.

To escape being too little, Little Nell walks into the woods to "watch the snow fall from the sky" and there she finds a few true friends -- Reindeer, Bear Cub and Hare. She tells them that her "...family won't let me do anything. I could never make a snowman." The friends set up proving her family wrong.

They work together rolling, kicking and nudging three snowballs until their snowman is complete. What's important here is a reminder that with the help of friends, you're truly never too little to do a big job. I loved how her family was proud of Little Nell's accomplishment.

I know the winter has been mild in many of the parts of the country, but if you're feeling any symptoms of cabin fever, be sure to pick up this book. It's a good reminder for you and your children that when you set your mind to a goal, you can accomplish it.
Profile Image for Jorge Pigeon.
14 reviews1 follower
January 8, 2020
As a former NYC street pigeon, I've had a turbulent relationship with snow. I never thought about the joy of it before. I do think building a snowbird would be more interesting than a snowman though. I mean, c'mon. Also, this book shows the value of teamwork. & while I can appreciate the company of another, I've never felt the need in help w/building my nests. I've got this! So it really opened my one good eye to new world perspectives.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
100 reviews1 follower
April 15, 2021
The Biggest Snowman Ever is about two mice who enter a snowman-making contest. Both Clayton and Desmond believe they will make the biggest snowman and win the prize, until, at the very same moment, the two mice had a grand idea. They combined their snowmen into one. When the judges came out, they declared Clayton and Desmond the winners of the contest saying that they together had made the biggest snowman ever!

This book was okay. The storyline was not my favorite because I could not relate to it. As I live in Louisiana, I do not ever see snow. The repetition in the book bored me. The illustrations are probably the best part of the book. I liked the pastel colors that were presented; it calmed me. Overall, there are a few positives; however, this one is just not for me. I would be curious to see how someone would react to this book if they did live in a climate where it snowed.
Profile Image for Melki.
7,355 reviews2,630 followers
December 12, 2022
Two mice discover that teamwork is the key to building a bigger snowman when they enter the town's competition. There's not much more than that to the story, but Jeni Bassett's illustrations are adorable, and who can resist a book about snowmen?

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