The Snowman Code

by Simon Stephenson

A beautifully hopeful, funny and heartwarming tale about the lasting power of love and friendship, from the critically-acclaimed and award-winning screenwriter behind Pixar’s Luca and Paddington 2.

In London, in a winter which shows no sign of ending, a unique friendship begins.

This is the story of Blessing, aged ten-and-a-half, and Albert Framlington, aged six hundred – an eccentric snowman who has seen many winters in many cities, and who is duty-bound by the Snowman Code to help any child in need. Together, Blessing and Albert must find a way to defeat Blessing’s bullies, win back Albert’s long-lost love Clementine, and even overcome the never-ending winter itself…

Perfect for fans of The Christmasaurus, A Boy Called Christmas, The Snowman and Paddington, The Snowman Code is a heartwarming, hilarious and unforgettable modern classic for families to curl up with on frosty winter nights.

Genres: Middle Grade, Christmas

160 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 10, 2024

About the author

Hello, good readers!

I am from Edinburgh in Scotland, but now reside in Los Angeles, California. I have had stopovers along the way in London and San Francisco. I’m a writer and screenwriter, and before I became a full-time writer I was a physician.

My new novel, ‘Sometimes People Die’ will be published in September 2022. It's a literary thriller set in a hospital in east London around the turn of the millenium.

I have written two other books. ‘Set My Heart To Five’ came out in 2020. The Washington Post review said that I might be ‘Vonnegut’s first true protege’. You’d better believe I have been dining out on that ever since, and will be for the rest of my days.

‘Let Not the Waves Of the Sea’, my memoir about losing my brother came out in 2012. It won Best First Book at the Scottish Book Awards, and was serialized on BBC Radio 4.

I’ve worked as a writer on various films including Pixar’s LUCA, PADDINGTON 2, and my own THE ELECTRICAL LIFE OF LOUIS WAIN. Like every other screenwriter in Hollywood, I have a bottom drawer full of unproduced scripts.

Away from work I mostly like to ride my bike in nearby Griffith Park. in hope of encountering my neighbor the mountain lion. I'm also a fan of animals (petting them not eating them,) cakes (eating them not petting them), and soccer/football.

Reviews

[Stephen the Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snowman Code is a wonderful wintery fantasy adventure -perfect for 7-10 year olds ( or anyone young at heart)

Blessing lives alone with her mum who struggles with her mental health in particular suffering from seasonal adjustment disorder SAD and closes in on herself leaving Blessing to independently organise her days. Unhappy at school- bullied by the Driplet Triplets- she roams the city of London to pass her days.

All changes when she meets a snowman! Albert Framlington- the eccentrically, loveable and often mistaken about facts snowman. By saying "hello" six times to a snowman Blessing finds Albert speaks to her- it is all part of the Snowman Code which consists of various rules/articles that dictate the world of snowmen and women.

A friendship begins and Blessing and Albert soon discover they have the ability to help each other. Albert who is 600 years old has been searching each winter for his one and only love Clementine- and so the hunt begins. And when Blessing has to stay with a foster family, time is running out to help her mum . Winter must end.

This is a bighearted gently comedic read. It would be easy to picture the animated version. Blessings' life and challenges are dealt with sensitively but not losing touch of the relationship between the two main characters and the humorous situations they find themselves in. The pace is pitch perfect for independent readers and children will connect with Blessings and Albert.

Reggie Brown's illustrations add further charm to the story.

Suspend belief and enjoy this lovely bedtime read or lower Key stage 2 class story. A wonderful wintery (not Christmassy ) tale.

[Katherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Snowman Code is a heartwarming tale of friendship, kindness and compassion. The story follows Blessing, a ten and a half year old who comes across a snowman who is bound by snowman code to help any distressed child. This winter that the London was experiencing was quite a long one and everyone wishes to witness the next season anytime now.

Follow along Blessing and the snowman take up challenges of defeating Blessing's bullies, find his lost love and ways to end winter. Throughout their journey, you will find courage, kindness and self- confidence with an ability to say "It's okay, you are okay."

The Snowman Code gives the readers a cosy, heartwarming welcome to a place where friendships are forged with understanding, hope and patience. The interactions between Blessing and the snowman were hilarious and especially when the snowman insists on Africa having snow all round the year and Sherlock Holmes being a zoo keeper. There is no changing his mind over it however these talks are highlights of Blessing's life. The protagonist is wise beyond her age and the way she navigates her life is definitely commendable.

Perfect for cosy winter reads but surely you can enjoy this anytime without the constricts of seasonal suggestions ( as the author propose as well. )

[✧ Beanie Reads ✧ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read: November 11th - November 12th
Format: E-Book
Rating: 3.5 stars rounded up

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book is definitely aimed at younger audiences, veering toward the lower end of middle grade fiction. Perhaps even younger, with the idea of an adult and a kid curling up with hot chocolate to read it together.

It has very simple writing that is easy to digest, but it also tackles some harder subjects, like seasonal depression and the loss of someone you care for. The book never gets too dreary or serious though (or if so, not for long). The absurdist humor with Albert kept me chuckling throughout. Stephenson really played with the idea of the snowmen's understanding of the world. Even the most understanding of the snowmen would dispute clear facts.

It's a heartwarming little story with some hard lessons woven in, even if the resolving of the hardships is pretty glossed over. Definitely recommend for young ones during the snowy season!

[Lauren Griffiths · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book with my 8 year old daughter, Peighton. When I asked her what she liked about the book, she said:

“I liked the bit where she faced her bullies, the Driplet Triplets and pranked them with the abominable snowman. I liked the end too when she went in all the sprinkles, it must have been so cold. I hope Jeremiah’s pipe gets back to him.”

As a parent reading this with my daughter, I felt it was really quite an emotional story. It did hit a bit close to home for me as I had a parent who suffered depression growing up and it really resonated with me. It was sad but heartwarming at the same time, this is one I will remember reading for a long time.

[Ashley Martinez (ilovebooksandstuffblog) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute and cozy children’s book that gave me Frosty the Snowman vibes!

The story was great for a younger reader. It was easy to read and a fun. There were lots of cute moments and little lessons sprinkled in as well.

[Ilona Da Costa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wat een lief verhaal🥰 3,75

[Charlotte]

I can see this having lots of appeal for its target audience of kids who enjoy whimsical sillyness....but alas, that isn't me.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well this book made me cry! At no point did I know where it was going but I loved the journey regardless. Absolutely adorable and magical read.

[YSBR · Rating 4 out of 5]

In a seemingly endless London winter, 10-year-old Blessing has not been to school for more than 3 months.  School is awful, as Blessing is tormented daily by a trio of bullies she has nicknamed the Driplet Triplets.  Home is not much better, since Blessing’s mother Margaret is suffering from seasonal affective disorder (amplified by the extended wintertime) and rarely comes out of her room or takes an interest in Blessing’s daily activities.  So Blessing has told the school she and her mom are moving to Australia to run a kangaroo sanctuary, and she spends each day sneaking into museums and movie theaters.  One afternoon, while stalling for time in Victoria Park, she meets Albert Framlington.  Albert is kind and well-mannered, but has some strange ideas and is always convinced he is right even when he is completely wrong.  Albert is also a snowman – a lopsided snowman with bottlecap eyes, a potato nose, and an old scarf.  Blessing inadvertently witnesses Albert stretching his arms, and forces him to talk to her, and a strange and beautiful friendship is born.

Albert tells Blessing about the Snowman Code, which includes such tenets as a snowman must never be rude, must always help a child if they can, and must answer if someone says their name 6 times.  Snowmen love flowers but mostly hate dogs.  He also explains that snowmen melt each spring but will come back the following year, possibly in a different part of the world, and that he himself has been around for 627 winters.  When Blessing tells him about her mother, he informs her that the ‘weather is broken’ this winter because there is one snowman somewhere who refuses to melt.  Slowly, it is revealed that that snowman is Albert, who is pining away for a snowman called Clementine, with whom Albert fell in love over 600 years ago and he has been seeking ever since.  He is convinced she is somewhere in London this year, and if he can find her he will happily melt, so Blessing agrees to help him. What follows is a delightful romp through the parks and backyards of London, full of funny disguises, near mishaps, and flower markets.  When Margaret is hospitalized, Blessing goes to foster care with a kind couple (whose protective dog Nelson accompanies Blessing on her late night adventures). But missing her mother and their home makes her more determined than ever to help Albert find Clementine, even though finding her will mean saying goodbye to the only friend she’s ever known.

This wintry fantasy is imbued with sadness, and yet readers will feel cozy and optimistic as they follow the adventures of Blessing and Albert.  A lot of heavy issues - mental health, bullying, climate change - come into play, and are handled in appropriate and honest ways.  Readers will empathize with Blessing as she copes with her heartbreaking home life and difficult school situation, marvel at her persistence and ingenuity, and cheer for her and Albert to accomplish their mission.  Albert and his proclamations provide a great deal of comic relief throughout the book, as he mangles historical, cultural, and scientific references and insists that people born in  summer are not that smart, but one can’t help but feel sorry for the hapless snowman in his quest for love.  The snow-covered city of London makes a lovely backdrop to this tale, and its secret network of snowmen is highly entertaining.  Occasional black-and-white illustrations show Blessing and her mother as Black, and imply diversity in the human community. Link to complete review: https://ysbookreviews.wordpress.com/2...

[Doreen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. With incredibly charming illustrations by Reggie Brown.

Ooof, I should have known from the introductory note itself, with the line "Sometimes it can feel like winter because there is snow inside", that this book would wring me out. Gosh, when was the last time I had an ugly cry like this, over something that didn't touch directly on dark chapters of my own past? I genuinely can't recall, which only speaks to the power of this astonishing middle grade novel.

Blessing is ten years old and enduring the longest winter of her lifetime. Ordinarily, she wouldn't mind the cold and snow. Trouble is, winter weather affects her mother Margaret adversely. Blessing has already been sent away twice to live with foster parents while Margaret was voluntarily institutionalized for depression, so the last thing she wants to do is upset her mother by admitting that she's being bullied at school. Unable to take the bullying any longer tho, she begins to skip classes, loitering around London and making up stories to tell her mother about what she's done all day instead.

Everything changes when she sees a snowman come to life in a deserted park one afternoon. The two strike up a friendship that sees them doing their best to help each other out, and that had me absolutely blubbering by the end of this moving yet still hilarious book about friendship, love, sadness and grief.

It's honestly impressive how much Simon Stephenson packs into this one short novel about two unlikely souls who help each other through some of their darkest days. And don't get me wrong: the reason I was crying wasn't because of the hardships they went through. It was because of their courage and gallantry in staying true to one another throughout everything, from fighting bullies, to tracking down the snowman's long-lost love, to solving the problem of a seemingly endless winter.

It isn't a perfect book -- it took me a while to figure out which city they were in, and the nurse falling for the appendix ruse stretched the bounds of even my credulity -- but it is an important one, especially for young people grappling with loss or whose parents have mental illnesses or who have to spend time in the foster system. Honestly, it's a great book for older readers, too, especially with the subtle reminder of the impact of climate change. This is a terrific, heartwarming read for the snowy months or for whenever your heart needs that flicker of heat to keep beating and feeling that the world is still a magical place.

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson will be published tomorrow December 16 2025 by Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers and is available from all good booksellers, including Bookshop!

This review first appeared at TheFrumiousConsortium.net.

[Tonja Drecker · Rating 4 out of 5]

With gentle humor and a touch of fantasy, this is a story with a big, warm heart.

Blessing has found a way to skip school for weeks...or maybe even months if she can. She simply forged a letter to the teacher from her mother, claiming they were moving to Australia. It's the only way Blessing can avoid three bullies, keep her mother from growing more depressed, and avoid having the police bring her to another home again. Her mother always is sad during winter. When Blessing accidentally hits the first Snowman code by talking to a snowman six times, he speaks to her and exposes that he's alive.

This is a magical, winter tale, which reminds a bit of Frosty the Snowman in that Albert, this snowman, is alive and romps through the city (in this story London) with Blessing. This book, however, holds quite a bit more depth as it addresses a few difficult themes such as bullying, parents dealing with mental illnesses, temporary foster care, and a nod toward separation from friends. It tackles all of these themes with careful warmth and a touch of fantasy. Gentle humor and silly situations add needed lightness to keep it from growing too heavy. After all, a snowman in disguise who has fun with a kid in the middle of London, holds more than a few unexpected moments. So, adventure is definitely not forgotten.

The writing flows well and keeps a quick pace the entire way through. The short sentences, vocabulary level, and larger font spacing make it ideal for ages 7 to 10. There are not only entire-page illustrations sprinkled in but smaller ones decorate every page (which are always a treat). So, it never weighs down or feels heavy.

Despite the depth, the plot remains mostly playful and creates a magical adventure with many situations to draw smiles...even the Abominable Snowmen finds a way to slide into this mix. There's sadness, hope, silliness, adventure, tension, love, and so much more. In other words, it's a well-round, enjoyable read.

[Katy Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet, snowy children's story.

A new world is created here, with its own rules and history. One you might find yourself questioning why you never thought about it more yourself, though child readers discovering this alone are likely to take to the mythology straight away.

Blessing only discovers the snowman in the park can move and talk when she hides out day after day, avoiding the school bullies who make her life miserable, and can't tell her Mum, who's severely depressed by the never-ending winter (it's now May) and snow.

By accident, Blessing finds that she can speak to Albert Framlington, a more than 600-year-old snowman, who admits he has a Snowman Code to live by, and shares the snowman world with his new human friend.

Albert is a concoction of inventiveness and quirk, as he constantly makes a mess of human phrases and customs, but still shines through as a soft-hearted character with a longing for the beautiful Clementine he hasn't seen for centuries.

And can their quests together to help each other even help out Blessing's Mum, now taken away from their home due to her winter-related depression?

A comfortable read for an independent reader, with short chapters and illustrations to bridge the gap from easier material. The story is pretty compelling, as the snowman world is revealed and multiple strands where Blessing and Albert can help each other start to unfold.

It's funny and sweet, and Blessing is a worthy heroine, with her own problems.

This gives us the snowman background that Raymond Briggs' graphic short novel and cartoon couldn't hope to bring to curious readers. And a lovely seasonal story about friendship, family and sacrifice.

For ages 7 to 12.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

[Andrea · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Snowman Code by Simon Stephenson follows a young girl named Blessing, who makes an unlikely friend during a long, unending winter. In London, winter has lasted for months with no sign of easing. One day, instead of going to school, ten-year-old Blessing wanders into a park and discovers a snowman named Albert Framlington—who turns out to be alive.

The two quickly form a friendship, and as they grow closer, Blessing opens up about her struggles. She talks about her mother, who suffers from seasonal depression, and the bullies at school who make her dread attending. Albert explains that every snowman is duty-bound by the Snowman Code to help any child in need.

As Albert supports Blessing through her challenges, he’s also hiding a secret of his own. The reason winter seems never-ending is that Albert is searching for his long-lost love, Clementine, and winter won’t end until every snowman is ready for it to do so. Will the pair be able to help each other find their happy endings?

I thought the book was a fun and cozy read, filled with silly moments that young readers would enjoy. It’s a heartwarming story about learning, taking risks, and being there for one another. While the book addresses some heavy topics, it does so thoughtfully and could serve as a great conversation starter between young readers and their guardians. It’s a cute, wintry read that might even encourage kids to head outside and make a snow-friend of their own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

❄So much heart! Magical snowy adventure⛄

This wintry story is wonderful on several different levels. It's a fast moving adventure for a truant ten year old called Blessing wandering the streets, parks and gardens of London. But it also confronts the issue of bullying and mental health, in this case a sadness and depression aggravated by the dark days of winter. And it's a great story of friendship.

Blessing has such challenges at home and at school. Her fantastic discovery of a living, talking snowman named Albert gives her hope about using her own ideas and initiative to partner with Albert and end a gloomy snowy winter that has lasted too long and endangered her mother's health.

It's not all happiness and light. I found the end had a lot of poignancy as Blessing is faced with the loss of her new friends. But I liked the emotional content. And I think a child in the 7-10 age range will really enjoy it.

Thanks to Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Meg Hall · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Snowman Code tells the story of Blessing, a 9 year old girl desperately in need of some magic. Her mom suffers from horrible seasonal depression, which is even more devestating when winter doesn't end. Blessing just wants to find a way to end winter and help her mom, and an unlikely snowman friend might be just the ticket.

Blessing is a very resourceful kid, and from a parent perspective, it's a bit horrifying how self-sufficient she has to be and what that looks like. This book deals with some mature topics, including foster care, depression, truancy, and bullying, but did so well in my opinion. All that being said, the magic of this book is very sweet. I love how determined Blessing is, her desire to rescue her mom and her friendship with Albert the snowman. I love all the snowman code rules and giggled quite a few times at the funny dialogue. It's a wonderful and absorbing book, and I devoured it in a couple of hours. I definitely recommend the book, just make sure the kiddo reading it can handle the tough topics.

[Mehsi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dit was echt een prachtig boek met veel magie en mooiheid en sneeuw, perfect voor de kersttijd. Nelson was ook zo lief (ik hou van honden in boeken, nou ja als ze niet praten, haha). En een prachtig einde! Oh, en leuke illustraties.

Helaas.. wilde ik dit boek meerdere keren tegen de muur gooien vanwege Albert. Jeetje, wat een lul. Sorry hoor, maar hij denkt steeds dat hij het maar beter weet want hij is ouder en hij had het dus ook steeds fout, maar was dan beledigd en gemeen als iemand hem corrigeerde (Blessing dus). En ja, ik snapte dat hij graag Clementine wilde vinden maar ik vond het ook enorm egoïstisch van hem, en dan kom je ook steeds achter bepaalde dingen, zoals dat Blessing voornamelijk mocht zoeken en dat alles heel snel had opgelost kunnen worden. Jeetje. En ook hoe hij steeds maar vergat dat Blessing's moeder zich mentaal niet goed voelde maar steeds over die blindedarm begon en nooit eens Blessing serieus nam. WTF.

[Kim Wilch · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re already over the cold weather like me, this charming book might warm you back up. It mixes cocoa-level coziness with real heart as it tackles bullying, mental health, foster care, and friendship—yet never loses its playful spark. Silly escapades ensue as the duo romp through London. Sweet illustrations scattered throughout add to the magic, while the story has depth beneath the fun. The Abominable Snowman even pops in for a delightful cameo. With its blend of humor, fantasy, and big-hearted warmth, this is the perfect story to melt even the frostiest mood.

[Emma Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so cute. I loved this story so much. It was beautiful and heartwarming and perfect to curl up with over the festive season. Even though it's aimed at kids it can be read by any age. I highly recommend it to other readers.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was so adorable!

[Ailsa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I sobbed the whole way through this beautiful children’s book about friendship, love and a little girl in foster care.

[Marran · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such a sweet read about love and friendship but also about heavier topics like bullying, depression and death.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

https://sarahreads4.wordpress.com/202...

[Wendy Geoghegan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a lovely cozy adorable read 🥰☃️❄️

[Jennifer Huberdeau · Rating 5 out of 5]

A delightful silly read that's as heartwarming as its premise.

[Kelly Gartland · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5. very cute and funny!

[Dreximgirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

[Raven Howell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an incredibly endearing story about a 600-year-old snowman, Albert, and young girl who form a loving friendship during the "longest winter ever". A sweet read for those who love magic!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly magical story!

[Erin Clarke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Easy to read book , it was the perfect Christmas read

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating: 3.5