The Tale of Jack Frost

by David Melling

When the goblins--who are jealous because they believe that the magic of the forest should be in their power--try to steal Jack Frost's magic for turning to frost everything he touches, the goblins discover that he is a great deal more clever than they are.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Fiction, Magic, Fantasy, Christmas, Holiday

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

David Melling grew up in London with various siblings and a selection of animals, including a dog. It took him a while to decide what he wanted to do, but he never stopped drawing. He worked as a cel renderer and background artist in several animation studios before he began illustrating children’s books. His work includes the Hugless Douglas series and The Kiss That Missed, which was short-listed for the Kate Greenaway Medal. To date he has created around 150 books in over thirty languages. David Melling lives in Oxfordshire, England, with his wife and two children.

Reviews

[Sophie Crane · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is Such A Lovely story. My Niece wanted to know all about Jack Frost and this was the best book I found. Beautifully illustrated. She loved it.

[Travis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another book that I found when it passed through the library to fill a hold. It is kind of a strange book, and feels like it is meant to be part of some larger story almost. It reminds me a bit of the movie Rise of the Guardians which both features Jack Frost and is part of a larger storyline, a whole series of children's books. But this book seems to stand alone, and there is certainly no stylistic similarity, though maybe there was some sort of cross-fertilization of ideas at some point.

The various magical forest creatures have interesting designs. Some of them trigger a very strong sense of deja vu with me, as though I had seen things with that exact style before, but I can't put my finger on it. There may be something Seussian in the long, loose limbs of some of them, but otherwise there is no resemblance. Some of them may also be a bit reminiscent of creatures from the work of Bill Peet, but only slightly. The creatures are part of what trigger a feeling that there was meant to be more to this story: many individuals are named, and some types are given names as well, but they do relatively little in the story; it feels like there was more meant for the designs.

Finally, I find the main antagonists a bit odd. They look neat, and I like how their overgrown fortress looks. But why are they called goblins? They are much bigger than Jack, who is supposedly a human boy (though he always is magically cold and at the end of the book develops fairy wings, no explanation of either really). Rather than goblins, they seem more like ogres or trolls.

Anyway, overall an enjoyable enough children's book, but strangely incomplete feeling. Interesting, but not truly worth hunting down.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

This story has lovely, detailed illustrations which could be used as an activity by covering the text so that children had to predict what could happen from the illustrations. They could even write their own opening to the story and compare to the book. The story is also more detailed than some picture books so it would be suitable for children up to year 3 or 4. It has similarities to The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton and The Rainbow Fairies series, although it is from Jack Frost’s perspective. It could also be used to look at weather and seasons. It could be read and enjoyed as a class story, particularly in the winter, or it could be used in English lessons.

[Luvy Webb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cute little story is about Jack Frost and how he came about. The story starts out talking about a little boy who had snow-white skin. The creatures of the forest name him Jack Frost and he learns how to use his magical powers to frost things. The goblins get very jealous and steal Jack's power, but Jack is much more clever then the goblin. He ends up making and ice puddle that freezes the goblins and Jack gets to keep his power.

[Niko · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would love to draw like you

[Angie Lora Meza · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,3 Estrellas

[Ramona Cantaragiu · Rating 2 out of 5]

Jack Frost is a baby who got lost in the woods and was taken in by the animals that lived in the enchanted forest. He was magical himself as he could freeze things with his touch much like Elsa. The story is weird because the antagonista appear out of nowhere and there is not much sense into their desire to gain entrance to the magic in the enchanted forest. The way in which Jack saves the day is quite ingenious, but then he suddenly grows wings and flies away. Although the story is not that memorable, I liked the illustrations (the animals looked really funny).

[Dena Lawrence · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a delightful, imaginative origin story of Jack Frost. It included many magical creatures, including snow-beetles, woodhoppers, skillets, and beezels. .

Malachi, age 4, liked the descriptions and actions of the goblins. For example, “Now, in the dank valley with its curling mist there lived many thick stubby creatures with oily skin…They liked to make rude noises just for fun.” Also, there was, “So when a goblin stumbled across Jack Frost…he stuffed him into a sack and scurried off, back to the goblins’ lair.” Gideon, age 9, liked the part where the goblins smelled like boiled cabbage. Thaddeus, age 7, liked the illustrations (the magical animals looked really funny).

[***Dave Hill · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enchanting tale, beautifully drawn - My 4.5-year-old loves this. I got a copy (softcover) in the airport book shop in Glasgow on business, and it became her instant favorite bed time story.

While I agree to a degree with those who complain about too many unpolished points (the book reads, sometimes, like a trimmed-down version of a longer tale), there's still an absurd logic to the whole thing. And, frankly, if that leads to question and further story-telling after the book is done, all the better.

[Misty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Just the other day Mya was asking me about Frost, so this book was an ideal seasonal story. I found the end a bit cumbersome, but the kids still talk about Jack Frost each morning during our frosty morning walks to school, so clearly they didn't have trouble following the story.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I could tell immediately that an Englishman wrote this book. I enjoy retellings of fairy tales. Though I felt bad for the goblins, I liked how this author took the story and made it his own, without being gruesome.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you work at a public library, you get to see all the fun books that others put on hold. I was unfamiliar with this tale, and it looked interesting, so I read it during my break. Students will love the goblins.

[Lynn Davidson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forest creatures found a small boy sleeping in the snowy cold forest. They named him Jack Frost because everything he touched turned to frost. The goblins wanted his magic, but they discovered how tricky Jack Frost could be. Wonderful illustrations.

[Lara · Rating 5 out of 5]

We love the pictures most of all.

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a clever story and very funny. The kids and I laughed a lot.

[Gwyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun, fun, fun!

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

We've read a few of Melling's books, all are well written with great illustrations, but I think this is my favourite. A great seasonal book

[C · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful drawings. About a boy called Jack who is discovered in an enchanted forest by strange and kind creatures. Magical!

[Dimity Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dreamy illustrations. Entertaining tale. Twerky Jack Frost twist. Nice for the younger ones whose ideas of Jack Frost have not yet been tainted by various other commercial interpretations.

[Hope L. Justice · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is truly enchanting with beautiful illustrations and just enough humor to be whimsical. I really love this telling of Jack Frost.

[Maryann · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best illustrations I have seen in a long time!! Loved it!