Snip and Bittersweet

by Amy C. Laundrie

When a fall off a sandhill crane leaves cautious Snip and daring Bittersweet stranded in a Wisconsin snowstorm, the two tiny Podkins must brave the wild, escape a human boy, and find their way home—before winter swallows them whole.
An epic friendship. A heart-pounding journey.
Perfect for readers 8–12 who love nature, fantasy, and mighty adventures.

69 pages, Paperback

Published August 6, 2025

Reviews

[Gayle Rosengren · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful, whimsical series of adventures await young readers when they open this book and meet Snip and Bittersweet for the first time! Tiny creatures accidentally left on their own, they're about to prove that together and with lots of creativity and spunk, they can rise to any challenge. Sure to be a favorite of kids and parents alike.

[Laurie Sharp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, and what a treat to read. I can’t wait to pass it out like candy at Christmas time and birthdays as a gift for those special moments.

Amy did a beautiful job inviting the reader into the magical world of the Podkins. Snip and Bittersweet, the two main characters, are sure to win the hearts of children and adults. This book is a naturalist’s dream. The descriptions filled all my senses. I could taste the herbs, smell the fragrant flowers, as well as the not-so-pleasant inside of Chip’s shoe. I could see the blue skies and the oversized snowflakes. I could feel the softness of the sandhill cranes down. I could hear the crunch of footsteps in the snow and the wind whirling.

This book is filled with excitement, drama, family ties, connection with nature, identification of birds and their sounds, habitats, and microhabitats. I am eager to read the next book in this series. Even several days after finishing the story, I find that I continue to clearly hear the familiar and comforting call of the red cardinal, “Cheer, cheer, cheer,” and the chirp of the chickadee, “Chickadee dee dee.” These bird songs are still very much with me. From now on, when I hear the sandhill cranes fly overhead in their V formation, I will forever wonder, “Is there a Podkin on board?” Kudos to Amy for this delightful and magical book. It’s a true gem!
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[Liisa Eyerly · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rollicking adventure with just the right mix of humor and danger, this tale will delight any 8–11-year-old reader. Its whimsical story of unlikely friendship and survival in a natural setting reminded me of the classic Disney film The Gnome-Mobile, where clever gnomes use their wits and knowledge of the wild to outsmart danger.

Amy weaves her deep understanding of plants, animals, and insects seamlessly into the narrative, giving her tiny characters—the Podkins—creative, nature-inspired solutions as they learn to depend on each other. I especially loved the birds’ mimicking cries scattered throughout the story—"Garoo-oo-a-a-a" of the cranes were my favorite!—I even found myself trying them out loud.

The ending left me eager for more. What dastardly troubles will Snip and Bittersweet wriggle their way out of in the next adventure?

[Jane Kelley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laundrie has created a delightful adventure story about the Podkins—wee folk who live in the woods. This novel focuses on two young ones, Snip and Bittersweet, who must survive the challenge of being left behind after the rest of their group migrate south by clinging to the backs of Sandhill Cranes. Snip also has to overcome emotional challenges as he learns how to accept help from Bittersweet and what true heroics are. The fast-paced novel has plenty of twists and turns. Laundrie’s love of nature enriches the story with realistic details and clever ideas about Podkin life. The colorful illustrations by Anthony Grimaldi are beautiful and dramatic. I totally believed that Podkins could be hiding just behind that tree. I look forward to more adventures with these charming folk.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snip and Bittersweet is an absolute delight. It's an adventure story, but so much more. The characters feel real and the lessons they learn are ones we can all be reminded of. (We aren't always right and asking for help is okay.) It’s both fun and thoughtful, great for middle grade readers and especially well-suited for classroom use. Themes of migration, friendship, community, and empathy permeate the story naturally, never feeling overdone. Instead, they show up through character choices, making the book not only engaging but one readers will keep thinking about even after they close the cover of the book. Highly recommend!

[Lynn Pond · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous story. Kids will love reading about these courageous, quirky Podkin youngsters who must fend for themselves when fate separates them from their families while traveling south on the backs of cranes. Snip, the wanna-be hero, and Bittersweet, the actual hero, demonstrate how team work can allow them to overcome obstacles. I have “worry warts” waiting for the next installment wondering what will happen to them over the winter!

[Jane Govoni]

What a delightful story. I can't imagine a young reader who would not get excited by the adventure. As a mother and grandmother, I think there is an opportunity to read this delightful book with a child and discuss the many challenges the Podkins experienced. Could they believe that maybe a tiny creature could be real? That would their name smell like if they were a Podkin. This book is an opportunity for parents and grandparents

[Valerie Biel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful imaginative adventure that will appeal to readers of all ages. The well-crafted story blends whimsy with moments of danger, friendship, and teamwork, all brought to life by charming illustrations. I love these quirky little Podkins. Their predicament of being left behind while the rest of their clan migrates south is both touching and engaging. It sets the stage perfectly for a sequel, which I eagerly anticipate!

[Rachel Gravunder · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snip and Bittersweet are delightful mythical characters of the Podkins variety. Being little, they get into challenging situations and find creative solutions such as riding on the backs of animals to get their way out of their predicament. You’ll enjoy getting to know these fun characters. You’re only regret will be that you’re not their size!

[Sharon Addy]

Laundrie's Snip and Bittersweet is a lively adventure. Young readers will find themselves in another -- much smaller - world, closer to nature and filled with danger. Separated from their community, stranded during a snowstorm, the two Podkins deal with threats from animals and capture by a human as they make their way to safety.

A fun story, with nail-biting situations and a happy ending.

[Judy Cummings · Rating 5 out of 5]

Snip and Bittersweet is a fun and heartwarming adventure. The story follows two tiny Podkins as they navigate a snowy wilderness after falling off their crane. The story blends humor, danger, and friendship, and the author’s vivid writing brings the natural world to life. This book is part of a series, and I cannot wait to read the rest of the books.

[Sue Twiggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chapter book with Hijinks and great Illustrations
Snip and Bittersweet are woodland creatures have fallen off their migrating crane. Can they get back to their home before they freeze? This is the first of a series of illustrated chapter books you don’t want to miss. Can Snip be as brave as he’d like and will Bittersweet who takes too many risks get out of their current predicament?

[Mel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story about two young Podkins is imaginative, fun, and full of adventure. Kids will love reading about this sweet, silly duo as they face tremendous obstacles: a snowstorm, a broken leg, and the notorious Longlegs (humans)!