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Frostfire
Follow dragon-expert Miriam and curious Celeste on a magical winter's day walk through their garden, where a snow dragon just might be hiding! Elly MacKay's luminous artwork and sweet sibling story will cast a spell over readers of all ages in this playfully imaginative picture book that’s perfect for fans of Frozen.On a walk through a snow-covered garden, big sister Miriam claims to hear the sound of a snow dragon. Little sister Celeste has lots of snow dragons are real? Where do they hide? What do they eat? And is that frost on the greenhouse windows or is it . . . frostfire?Miriam seems to have an answer for everything about snow dragons. But when Celeste wanders off, she has a magical encounter that changes everything she thought she knew.Told through gently playful dialogue and brought to life with spectacular works of paper diorama art, Elly Mackay's newest picture book is an enchanting wintertime adventure destined to become a classic seasonal fairy tale that readers will enjoy for years to come.
44 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2024
2 people are currently reading
188 people want to read
About the author
Elly MacKay
29 books101 followersI’m Elly MacKay, a.k.a Theater Clouds. I live in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada with my husband Simon and little ones, Lily and Koen. I live a short drive from where I grew up – in an old church in Big Bay. I am an artist, making scenes using paper, light and photography. I refer to it as paper theater, lightbox illustrations or illuminated papercraft… It has been several years, but I am still working on a name for this technique.
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the University of Canterbury for illustration, printmaking and electronic art. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter Lily, that I began working in this way.
Well, sort of…
I used to spend a great deal of time as a kid making dioramas and tunnel books. As a teen, I sold them at 1st Hand Gallery in Toronto. I stopped making them when I went off to art school to explore other interests. After graduating I was enjoying working at a gallery but the birth of my daughter sparked something in me. I wanted to create things in the way that I had in my youth. I wanted to make things for the simple pleasure of making… to create my own little worlds and explore childhood again through my daughter’s eyes. I told my husband about my wish and he made me a beautiful little theater to work in. These illuminated paper scenes are a return to working with layers of paper like the dioramas and tunnel books I had made as a kid, but with the addition of lighting and photography. I set up layers of drawings on a small scale in my very tiny stage. They are wonderfully fun to create. You can take a look at my process page, to see how I make them.
I use this technique to create photographic prints and illustrations for children’s books. At times I have worked on a larger scale, creating installations. In the future I hope to do some animation as well. Simon recently made an animation table so hopefully I will be able to show you my simple stop-motion animations. I take inspiration from several sources:
My work often plays with the themes of childhood, and the ephemeral. I look to my own childhood, and to my experience as a mother.
I have a fascination with Victorian curiosities, and set design. I love anything that involves a trick of the eye – zoetropes, paper theaters, tunnel books, pop-ups, etc. As a teen, I took a trip to meet members of The Movable Book Society with my Mom, Joan Irvine. She is a paper-engineer and author. The trip was an education in papercraft.
I am also always looking to the land and weather here on Georgian Bay for inspiration.
ETSY:
https://www.etsy.com/people/theatercl...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds
I went to the Nova Scotia College of Art and Design and the University of Canterbury for illustration, printmaking and electronic art. However, it wasn’t until the birth of my daughter Lily, that I began working in this way.
Well, sort of…
I used to spend a great deal of time as a kid making dioramas and tunnel books. As a teen, I sold them at 1st Hand Gallery in Toronto. I stopped making them when I went off to art school to explore other interests. After graduating I was enjoying working at a gallery but the birth of my daughter sparked something in me. I wanted to create things in the way that I had in my youth. I wanted to make things for the simple pleasure of making… to create my own little worlds and explore childhood again through my daughter’s eyes. I told my husband about my wish and he made me a beautiful little theater to work in. These illuminated paper scenes are a return to working with layers of paper like the dioramas and tunnel books I had made as a kid, but with the addition of lighting and photography. I set up layers of drawings on a small scale in my very tiny stage. They are wonderfully fun to create. You can take a look at my process page, to see how I make them.
I use this technique to create photographic prints and illustrations for children’s books. At times I have worked on a larger scale, creating installations. In the future I hope to do some animation as well. Simon recently made an animation table so hopefully I will be able to show you my simple stop-motion animations. I take inspiration from several sources:
My work often plays with the themes of childhood, and the ephemeral. I look to my own childhood, and to my experience as a mother.
I have a fascination with Victorian curiosities, and set design. I love anything that involves a trick of the eye – zoetropes, paper theaters, tunnel books, pop-ups, etc. As a teen, I took a trip to meet members of The Movable Book Society with my Mom, Joan Irvine. She is a paper-engineer and author. The trip was an education in papercraft.
I am also always looking to the land and weather here on Georgian Bay for inspiration.
ETSY:
https://www.etsy.com/people/theatercl...
https://www.etsy.com/shop/theaterclouds
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 108 reviews
April 13, 2025
I absolutely judged this book by its cover and I’m so glad I did!
The sisters are sweet and fanciful, the themes are endearing and enchanting, and the illustrations are ethereal and whimsical.
You can feel the chill from the snow dragon’s breath rising from the beautiful artwork and dancing upon the air and windowpanes. I could flip through this book over and over, admiring the magical paper diorama art. -Sara W.
The sisters are sweet and fanciful, the themes are endearing and enchanting, and the illustrations are ethereal and whimsical.
You can feel the chill from the snow dragon’s breath rising from the beautiful artwork and dancing upon the air and windowpanes. I could flip through this book over and over, admiring the magical paper diorama art. -Sara W.
January 22, 2025
Pretty and gently picture book about sisters exploring the winter landscape around their home.
December 12, 2024
Gorgeous illustrations are a guarantee in this wintery children’s book. Unfortunately the ending is abrupt, the dangers of the cold are never discussed (one page says they go farther than ever but doesn’t elaborate on why or if she’s getting cold…), and the imagination piece is maybe a bit too subtle for children. I just didn’t really feel like there was a purpose to the story, or really a direction it was headed. I suppose one might argue that children’s books can just be beautiful; but I prefer ones with a purpose, message, or cautions.
This Canadian artist and writer certainly knows many things that could be said about snow, ice, and winter which is maybe why I found Frostfire so underwhelming. There was a lot more that could have been done here and sadly the opportunities were lost in the snowy pages instead.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
This Canadian artist and writer certainly knows many things that could be said about snow, ice, and winter which is maybe why I found Frostfire so underwhelming. There was a lot more that could have been done here and sadly the opportunities were lost in the snowy pages instead.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. This is an honest and unbiased review.
September 16, 2024
Two fox sisters Miriam and Celeste walk through a snowy landscape. The older sees the beauty around them, and spins tales for younger sister of snow dragons, whom she pretends live in the wintry forest. Imagine the younger sister’s thrilling surprise on meeting one!
The illustrations are beautiful, and evoke the quiet of the forest, the light under trees and that reflected off the snow. I remember going to a story reading by the author years ago, where she also demonstrated how she created a luminous look to her scenes, which is evident in each scene as the two sisters traverse the snow covered ground.
The story is quiet and meditative, which the images echo, while also stimulating the imagination.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.
The illustrations are beautiful, and evoke the quiet of the forest, the light under trees and that reflected off the snow. I remember going to a story reading by the author years ago, where she also demonstrated how she created a luminous look to her scenes, which is evident in each scene as the two sisters traverse the snow covered ground.
The story is quiet and meditative, which the images echo, while also stimulating the imagination.
Thank you to Netgalley and to Penguin Random House Canada for this ARC in exchange for my review.
July 25, 2024
The Picture Book “Frostfire” by Elly MacKay tells the story of Miriam and Celeste on their journey through a snowy landscape in search of a snow dragon.
This book was so sweet! I loved the cozy atmosphere and colors. The illustrations are so whimsical and full of magic! Even though the story is set in winter the color palette is still warm like sunlight on a frozen landscape.
I also really enjoyed the short story about the frost dragons and the curiosity of Miriam for the wonders of nature.
This just made me happy and I can't wait for the first snow this year!
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Random House Canada for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
This book was so sweet! I loved the cozy atmosphere and colors. The illustrations are so whimsical and full of magic! Even though the story is set in winter the color palette is still warm like sunlight on a frozen landscape.
I also really enjoyed the short story about the frost dragons and the curiosity of Miriam for the wonders of nature.
This just made me happy and I can't wait for the first snow this year!
A big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher Penguin Random House Canada for giving me the opportunity to read an advance copy in exchange for an honest review.
November 15, 2024
Really beautiful art
October 4, 2024
6 STARS!!!
Frostfire is a cozy whimsical book that showcases the pure imagination and creativity of a child, something that is often lost in our world of technology. Two sisters, Celeste and Miriam, go for a snowy winter walk and Miriam shares all of her knowledge about snow dragons. This topic alone will have your child buzzing with questions and theories of their own. Celeste is such a positive big sister, never minimizing her little sister’s imagination or doubting her facts of snow dragons. I really enjoyed the sisterly bond throughout this book and the patience of siblings shown.
The illustrations in this book are stunningly beautiful me bring another whimsical element to the story.
From the way the light hits the snow or fades in from the side of the page, to the frost layers on the greenhouse and the silvery snow bushes. Obviously there was a lot of time spent in the illustrations with great attention to detail, which really brings this book to life. I would purchase this book again and again, it would be the perfect Christmas gift for a child.
Feel free follow my social media accounts, I will be sharing my review of this book prior to the publishing date.
https://linktr.ee/britneybarlow
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
Frostfire is a cozy whimsical book that showcases the pure imagination and creativity of a child, something that is often lost in our world of technology. Two sisters, Celeste and Miriam, go for a snowy winter walk and Miriam shares all of her knowledge about snow dragons. This topic alone will have your child buzzing with questions and theories of their own. Celeste is such a positive big sister, never minimizing her little sister’s imagination or doubting her facts of snow dragons. I really enjoyed the sisterly bond throughout this book and the patience of siblings shown.
The illustrations in this book are stunningly beautiful me bring another whimsical element to the story.
From the way the light hits the snow or fades in from the side of the page, to the frost layers on the greenhouse and the silvery snow bushes. Obviously there was a lot of time spent in the illustrations with great attention to detail, which really brings this book to life. I would purchase this book again and again, it would be the perfect Christmas gift for a child.
Feel free follow my social media accounts, I will be sharing my review of this book prior to the publishing date.
https://linktr.ee/britneybarlow
Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House Canada for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. My thoughts and opinions are 100% my own.
April 19, 2024
Celeste and her big sister Miriam are out walking in the snow and they begin talking about snow dragons, dragons who are white, breathe frostfire, and eat princesses. But as Celeste explores a little more, she finds a surprise in the woods and learns a bit more about the legendary snow dragons.
A dazzling vignette about sisters on a winter hike, MacKay has created a lovely picture book to share with elementary children. The artwork is ethereal and dreamy - a sparkling tribute to imagination and exploring the outdoors with a sibling. The fantastical snow dragon will fascinate readers. Everything about this book is delicate and dreamy and it will be a perfect addition to winter storytimes.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
A dazzling vignette about sisters on a winter hike, MacKay has created a lovely picture book to share with elementary children. The artwork is ethereal and dreamy - a sparkling tribute to imagination and exploring the outdoors with a sibling. The fantastical snow dragon will fascinate readers. Everything about this book is delicate and dreamy and it will be a perfect addition to winter storytimes.
Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for this ARC.
April 26, 2024
3.50 - Average
Pleasant illustrations. Short-and-sweet writing that spoon-feeds the answers. Full of delicate dreams that kindle the warmth in souls. Character interactions inspire cuddles. Ambiguous ending that leaves much to the imagination. Pacing at the beginning and end could be smoothed out to be less abrupt. Serene message. Evokes a peaceful reassurance in fascination. Recommended for those looking for a breath of fresh air.
Pleasant illustrations. Short-and-sweet writing that spoon-feeds the answers. Full of delicate dreams that kindle the warmth in souls. Character interactions inspire cuddles. Ambiguous ending that leaves much to the imagination. Pacing at the beginning and end could be smoothed out to be less abrupt. Serene message. Evokes a peaceful reassurance in fascination. Recommended for those looking for a breath of fresh air.
September 22, 2024
There’s something wonderfully nostalgic about this story that gave me cozy, fairytale vibes. While my 4-year-old wasn’t as engaged, I think it would be perfect for slightly older kids who could appreciate the whimsical fantasy elements. It’s sweet, heartwarming, and captures the magic of a classic tale.
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!
January 3, 2025
Not my cup of tea. One reason: I don't like clothing on animals and wish she'd either clothed children or let foxes enjoy their fur & their four legs. Two: the big sister is trying to scare the little one. Three: I have no idea what the point is... it to be mysterious, to evoke wonder?
February 16, 2025
Frostfire is a cute and fun picture book about two fox sisters as they're out playing in a beautiful wintery landscape and sharing a (real or made up!) story about snow dragons that blow frostfire and camouflage in the snow. The real highlight of this book is the absolutely stunning illustrations that truly bring the magic of winter to life. Recommended for sure!
August 2, 2024
A beautifully illustrated winter fairytale filled with soft illustrations that spark the imagination and make you want to wander out into the snow to search for snow dragons in your own kingdom or garden. This sweet book about two sisters will be even more magical to read during the winter.
February 28, 2025
The illustrations are beautiful.
Make sure you look for the hidden dragons.
Make sure you look for the hidden dragons.
April 11, 2024
I might be a little biased—because I picked up this book for the foxes—but I thought Frostfire was adorable.
The story is simple, just two sisters out and about on a winter day after a fresh snow. One sister tells the story of snow dragons, the other hesitantly believing this new information until she happens upon one herself! I’m not entirely certain if the message is meant to be that we should encourage and engage in whimsy and imagination or if there really was an actual snow dragon…but my goodness, it was cute.
I loved the foxes. I loved the fox snow dragon. I loved the beautiful and whimsical illustrations. This is certainly a book that I would love to add to my own personal collection on account of how gorgeous it is. And I think there’s ample opportunity for a conversation with any kiddo who you read it to about the voice of the characters, the potential skepticism, and the importance of imagination.
Lovely, all around.
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
The story is simple, just two sisters out and about on a winter day after a fresh snow. One sister tells the story of snow dragons, the other hesitantly believing this new information until she happens upon one herself! I’m not entirely certain if the message is meant to be that we should encourage and engage in whimsy and imagination or if there really was an actual snow dragon…but my goodness, it was cute.
I loved the foxes. I loved the fox snow dragon. I loved the beautiful and whimsical illustrations. This is certainly a book that I would love to add to my own personal collection on account of how gorgeous it is. And I think there’s ample opportunity for a conversation with any kiddo who you read it to about the voice of the characters, the potential skepticism, and the importance of imagination.
Lovely, all around.
I received an early copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2025
A gorgeous picture book about two young foxes taking a walk in the snow. Miriam, the big sister who claims to be an expert on dragons, tells her little sister Celeste that there is a snow dragon hiding in their garden. Miriam has a terrific imagination and is a good storyteller, but it turns out that Celeste has her own special gift as well. A magical story! A wonderful book to read on a cold winter's day!
"Celeste's tail quivered. 'Dragons are real?'
'Of course they are,' said Miriam."
"'See those windows? . . . The snow dragon must have been here, breathing fire.!
. . . It's frostfire.'"
"Celeste's tail quivered. 'Dragons are real?'
'Of course they are,' said Miriam."
"'See those windows? . . . The snow dragon must have been here, breathing fire.!
. . . It's frostfire.'"
December 30, 2024
Beautiful story about a couple of fox sisters hiking through the winter wonderland around their home, creating stories for each other. Their relationship and imaginations are as wonderful as the absolutely gorgeous art.
December 4, 2024
Reads like a fairy tale of the snow dragon. The illustrations are breathtaking!
December 6, 2024
Lovely and whimsical.
January 4, 2025
Came for the gorgeous fox illustrations and stayed for the cute sister story.
December 31, 2024
I wanted to like this book, but it just didn't do it for me. Most of the book is the big sister telling little sister about snow dragons and how scarry they are, then little sister finds one abruptly and then is like "nah they are nice!" And end of book. The ending felt very abrupt. The artwork is alright, pretty whimsical and winter wonderland magical. To me this is a book with good artwork, and a less than excellent story to go along with it. To me I would let a child check it out from the library if he or she REALLY wanted, since there isn't anything inappropriate, but I wouldn't want to own this book.
May 7, 2025
"Frostfire" is an enchanting, cozy story about sibling bonds and a hopeful search for magic. Sister foxes Celeste and Miriam are out for a walk in a silvery wonderland of snow. Suddenly, they hear a deep grumble. "That was the roar of a snow dragon," the elder sister imparts. Playfully and warmly, they banter about the mystical beasts as they slide and skate through the icy terrain. The soft glow on each page completely captivates, drawing readers closer and building anticipation. Will they at last glimpse the snow dragon? "Frostfire" is original and familiar all at once - a true treasure.
December 15, 2025
Sweet story about imagination and the magic of possibilities. Will be using for a read aloud.
April 22, 2025
As they venture into a beautiful snowy day, Miriam tells her little sister all about snow dragons, for Miriam is an expert. Celeste isn't sure what to believe, but she prepares to meet a dragon in any case.
The plot of this story is simple and sweet, remarking that truth isn't always what it appears, and narrators sometimes have their own agendas. The illustrations are so beautiful, they nearly brought me to tears. An excellent winter read, but you can enjoy it anytime of the year.
The plot of this story is simple and sweet, remarking that truth isn't always what it appears, and narrators sometimes have their own agendas. The illustrations are so beautiful, they nearly brought me to tears. An excellent winter read, but you can enjoy it anytime of the year.
December 27, 2024
I recently read an enchanting children’s book about two fox sisters exploring the snowy world around their cozy home, and I was utterly charmed. The story follows Miriam, the older sister and a self-proclaimed dragon expert, as she shares her imaginative tales about snow dragons with her curious and wide-eyed younger sister. But are they imaginative tales, or are snow-dragons real?
The narrative is both whimsical and heartwarming, perfectly capturing the magic of sibling bonds and the wonder of childhood imagination. The wintery setting adds an extra layer of enchantment, creating a dreamy backdrop for their adventures.
What truly stood out were the illustrations—soft, engaging, and brimming with warmth. Each page felt like a gentle snowfall, drawing me deeper into the sisters’ magical world. The delicate details and muted tones perfectly complemented the story’s cozy and whimsical tone.
This book is a delightful read for children and adults alike, perfect for curling up with on a snowy day. It’s a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the joy of discovery, wrapped up in a winter wonderland.
Overall, I highly recommend for anyone who loves tales of adventure, imagination, and the beauty of a snowy landscape. A perfect winter book, that I bet goes great with a hot cocoa.
The narrative is both whimsical and heartwarming, perfectly capturing the magic of sibling bonds and the wonder of childhood imagination. The wintery setting adds an extra layer of enchantment, creating a dreamy backdrop for their adventures.
What truly stood out were the illustrations—soft, engaging, and brimming with warmth. Each page felt like a gentle snowfall, drawing me deeper into the sisters’ magical world. The delicate details and muted tones perfectly complemented the story’s cozy and whimsical tone.
This book is a delightful read for children and adults alike, perfect for curling up with on a snowy day. It’s a celebration of creativity, storytelling, and the joy of discovery, wrapped up in a winter wonderland.
Overall, I highly recommend for anyone who loves tales of adventure, imagination, and the beauty of a snowy landscape. A perfect winter book, that I bet goes great with a hot cocoa.
October 2, 2024
Sisters Miriam and Celeste enjoy a walk on a lightly snowing day, with elder sister Miriam thrilling and (just a little) frightening her little sister with descriptions of “snow dragons.” Celeste is determined to be brave…until she meets a real snow dragon!
The artwork of this book reminds me so much of paper dolls. Because that’s basically what it is! These are not drawings, but photographs of drawings. This gives each scene an amazing 3D effect, while also having very flat characters. This is the sort of artistic innovation that I’d expect to see from a Caldecott nominee (MacKay, being Canadian, wouldn’t be eligible).
Overall, this book is charming, and perfect for the coming (hopefully) cold months. Since there’s no holiday elements, it cold have some great utility in classrooms. Perhaps kids could create their own snow dragons?
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
The artwork of this book reminds me so much of paper dolls. Because that’s basically what it is! These are not drawings, but photographs of drawings. This gives each scene an amazing 3D effect, while also having very flat characters. This is the sort of artistic innovation that I’d expect to see from a Caldecott nominee (MacKay, being Canadian, wouldn’t be eligible).
Overall, this book is charming, and perfect for the coming (hopefully) cold months. Since there’s no holiday elements, it cold have some great utility in classrooms. Perhaps kids could create their own snow dragons?
Advanced reader copy provided by the publisher.
December 31, 2025
I absolutely judged this book by its cover and I’m so glad I did!
The sisters are sweet and fanciful, the themes are endearing and enchanting, and the illustrations are ethereal and whimsical.
You can feel the chill from the snow dragon’s breath rising from the beautiful artwork and dancing upon the air and windowpanes. I could flip through this book over and over, admiring the magical paper diorama art.
The sisters are sweet and fanciful, the themes are endearing and enchanting, and the illustrations are ethereal and whimsical.
You can feel the chill from the snow dragon’s breath rising from the beautiful artwork and dancing upon the air and windowpanes. I could flip through this book over and over, admiring the magical paper diorama art.
September 25, 2024
Exceptional imagery. Mediocre story.
Frostfire is a beautifully illustrated story about two sisters going for a walk in the winter. On their walk, they discuss their environment and whether snow dragons are real.
The dragon in this book is so dynamic and beautiful. I've never seen one so artfully created, and I've seen a lot of dragons (not in real life - YET). She's all white, ethereal, and powerful. Yet, she's incredibly graceful around humans. All of the images in this book are exceptional. I'd love to see it in print, especially if the printers will add any sheen or sparkle to the pages. Everything pictured is dreamlike and gorgeous. All the snow is so white and crisp, and the clouds and trees have dragon-like features.
Two things for me are amiss:
1. The plot. There isn't really a message in the book, at least not one that will knock you over. I suppose the theme is imagination and the importance of keeping an open mind regardless of age. But I might have purely manufactured that theme, as I'm still determining what the story was after, aside from showing a gorgeous beast and breathtaking scenery.
2. The ending. There is the part about finding the snow dragon, and the book just ends.
So, with no real story and proper ending, I'm still determining what the book's goal was, aside from exposing the reader to the artwork. Based on the illustrations, it isn't a stretch for the author to create a much stronger story or at least one with a purpose and an ending.
If you're looking to discuss something with your reader other than the pretty images, consider chatting about the realities of finding a dragon in the wild. As I've been reading several books about cryptids lately, I wondered if a dragon qualifies as one.
Seeing how some people believe dragons exist in the wild even though science has never substantiated any and the Indiana University's science blog lists dragons as cryptids, I feel good sharing my non-expert opinion that snow dragons could be considered cryptids.
And alas, that means that there is a possibility that the snow dragons in this book are out there. You just need to escape to your nearest snowy winter wonderland to check. Oh, and keep an open mind and have fun :) It doesn't snow here, but if it did, I'd make a little Reading Rainbow episode of my own that included reading this book and searching for snow dragons in the snow banks, trees, and clouds.
While it pains me to rate this book lower than a 5 (based on the illustrations alone), 4 stars seems fair, given the monumental challenges that exist within the story. I'd recommend checking this book out at the library or picking it up at a bookstore to view the imagery alone.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Elly MacKay, and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of Frostfire.
Frostfire is a beautifully illustrated story about two sisters going for a walk in the winter. On their walk, they discuss their environment and whether snow dragons are real.
The dragon in this book is so dynamic and beautiful. I've never seen one so artfully created, and I've seen a lot of dragons (not in real life - YET). She's all white, ethereal, and powerful. Yet, she's incredibly graceful around humans. All of the images in this book are exceptional. I'd love to see it in print, especially if the printers will add any sheen or sparkle to the pages. Everything pictured is dreamlike and gorgeous. All the snow is so white and crisp, and the clouds and trees have dragon-like features.
Two things for me are amiss:
1. The plot. There isn't really a message in the book, at least not one that will knock you over. I suppose the theme is imagination and the importance of keeping an open mind regardless of age. But I might have purely manufactured that theme, as I'm still determining what the story was after, aside from showing a gorgeous beast and breathtaking scenery.
2. The ending. There is the part about finding the snow dragon, and the book just ends.
So, with no real story and proper ending, I'm still determining what the book's goal was, aside from exposing the reader to the artwork. Based on the illustrations, it isn't a stretch for the author to create a much stronger story or at least one with a purpose and an ending.
If you're looking to discuss something with your reader other than the pretty images, consider chatting about the realities of finding a dragon in the wild. As I've been reading several books about cryptids lately, I wondered if a dragon qualifies as one.
Seeing how some people believe dragons exist in the wild even though science has never substantiated any and the Indiana University's science blog lists dragons as cryptids, I feel good sharing my non-expert opinion that snow dragons could be considered cryptids.
And alas, that means that there is a possibility that the snow dragons in this book are out there. You just need to escape to your nearest snowy winter wonderland to check. Oh, and keep an open mind and have fun :) It doesn't snow here, but if it did, I'd make a little Reading Rainbow episode of my own that included reading this book and searching for snow dragons in the snow banks, trees, and clouds.
While it pains me to rate this book lower than a 5 (based on the illustrations alone), 4 stars seems fair, given the monumental challenges that exist within the story. I'd recommend checking this book out at the library or picking it up at a bookstore to view the imagery alone.
Thank you to Penguin Random House Canada, Elly MacKay, and NetGalley for providing me with an early digital copy of Frostfire.
August 3, 2024
A cozy winter tale of sibling adventures and imagination, depicted in Elly MacKay's gorgeous paper art. The anthropomorphized fox characters are expressive without being cartoonish, and the rural winter scenery is a sparkling wonderland. For some reason I was a bit less enthralled by the text, which seems to shift from poetic language ("The garden blossomed with silvery frost") into more casual dialogue that somehow doesn't quite match the beauty of the artwork. On the other hand, it does a nice job of capturing the relationship between the "wise" older sister and the trusting younger one, and I love how the story turns this dynamic on its head at the end.
I suspect many families will find themselves embracing snow dragon lore after reading this story - I know I'll never look at swirling frost patterns on windows the same way again! And some of the explanations for dragon behavior are truly brilliant, like the idea that you don't see dragon tracks in the snow because they prefer to fly instead of walk. Aside from a subtle wreath in the window, there are no references to specific winter holidays, making this a great choice for all families to celebrate the snowy season. This is definitely a book to be read curled up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.
I suspect many families will find themselves embracing snow dragon lore after reading this story - I know I'll never look at swirling frost patterns on windows the same way again! And some of the explanations for dragon behavior are truly brilliant, like the idea that you don't see dragon tracks in the snow because they prefer to fly instead of walk. Aside from a subtle wreath in the window, there are no references to specific winter holidays, making this a great choice for all families to celebrate the snowy season. This is definitely a book to be read curled up with a steaming cup of hot chocolate in hand!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital ARC in exchange for this honest review.
December 9, 2024
Gorgeous! I wish I had these illustrations all across my walls. They are luminous and enchanting. I love Elly MacKay's work and this did not disappoint. This is a book I feel sure I would have loved as a girl. The exchanges between the older sister and younger sister in the story feel so realistic and they have such personality. I love how, yes, even if big sister Miriam is a bit of a know-it-all, she is also trying to spin a tale of magic and excitement for her little sister, and Celeste is an equal match, and bravely brings her sister a surprise in the end, too, and they ultimately connect in a moment of pure joy and wonder.
My youngest was captivated by the illustrations, too, and immediately got into the story, "oooh, I think we have to find the snow dragon in the illustrations!" he said eagerly. I was so happy to see this picture book was able to capture his fancy, for not many do now that he's older.
Next time I'm feeling blue about these dreary winter days, I will remember to watch for snow dragons and hold on tight to the magic of nature and imagination.
My youngest was captivated by the illustrations, too, and immediately got into the story, "oooh, I think we have to find the snow dragon in the illustrations!" he said eagerly. I was so happy to see this picture book was able to capture his fancy, for not many do now that he's older.
Next time I'm feeling blue about these dreary winter days, I will remember to watch for snow dragons and hold on tight to the magic of nature and imagination.
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