What do you think?
Rate this book
Strawberry Shortcake and the Winter That Would Not End
Someone has stolen the Snow King's magic crystal! Strawberry Shortcake and her friends must find it-or spring will never come to Strawberryland!
- GenresPicture BooksChildrens
48 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1982
52 people want to read
About the author
Alexandra Wallner
49 books16 followersAlexandra Wallner was born in Germany. Not able to speak English when she immigrated to the United States, she almost flunked first grade. But with the help of comic books--Uncle Scrooge, Donald Duck, Katy Keene, Little Lulu--she learned her new language. Words and pictures together lit the spark for her future career.
After graduating from Pratt Institute’s Fine Art Program with an MFA and enjoying a brief stint in magazine design, she started collaborating with her husband John in creating children’s books.
Not limited to a love for children's books, Alex and John have a passion for renovating and working in old houses. In Woodstock, N. Y. they renovated an 1850’s farmhouse. They restored an 1865 townhouse in Philadelphia and remodeled a 1920's Maine island cottage.
During the long Maine winters, Alex started taking notes for a story about Sylvia and Max Saltwater and their encounters with island folk. The notes evolved into PINOCCHIO ISLAND.
They started thinking about warmer places to live when Alex became weary of slipping on ice. Breaking precedence, they moved to a warm climate into a newly built Florida house. Unfortunately soon after, they experienced three hurricanes in six weeks.
Continuing their gypsy ways, they moved to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico where they restored a mid-nineteenth century casa and added two studios in the back of the garden.
They care for an elderly Jack Russell, a family of cats, a rambunctious iguana, and a sprinkling of geckos.
Alex threw out the moving boxes and swears this is her final home.
After graduating from Pratt Institute’s Fine Art Program with an MFA and enjoying a brief stint in magazine design, she started collaborating with her husband John in creating children’s books.
Not limited to a love for children's books, Alex and John have a passion for renovating and working in old houses. In Woodstock, N. Y. they renovated an 1850’s farmhouse. They restored an 1865 townhouse in Philadelphia and remodeled a 1920's Maine island cottage.
During the long Maine winters, Alex started taking notes for a story about Sylvia and Max Saltwater and their encounters with island folk. The notes evolved into PINOCCHIO ISLAND.
They started thinking about warmer places to live when Alex became weary of slipping on ice. Breaking precedence, they moved to a warm climate into a newly built Florida house. Unfortunately soon after, they experienced three hurricanes in six weeks.
Continuing their gypsy ways, they moved to Merida, Yucatan, Mexico where they restored a mid-nineteenth century casa and added two studios in the back of the garden.
They care for an elderly Jack Russell, a family of cats, a rambunctious iguana, and a sprinkling of geckos.
Alex threw out the moving boxes and swears this is her final home.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
Read
December 16, 2023Don’t you ever associate winter and snow with nostalgic moments?
Well, I do.
I suddenly craved such vibes, so I looked up for a children-picture-book that features characters from my childhood with snowy setting, this book was one of the cutest options I’ve found, how could I skip it!
This was certainly fitting enough for what I wanted; snowy, lighthearted and with the prettiest artwork!
Made me feel like a six-years-old, in a good way.
January 17, 2017
Was going through a box of my childhood toys that included my old Strawberry Shortcake dolls (I'm not sure if I should be delighted or disturbed that after over 30 years, most of them have retained their scents--what did they put on them?) I don't know why Strawberry Shortcake was so captivating to me as a child. Maybe it was the rare prime time cartoon specials that aired, each featuring the latest toys. At any rate, despite my love of books, I think this is the only Strawberry Shortcake book I had. The illustrations, which I disliked at first, quickly grew on me. The story had more of a feel of a British children's story--like Wind in the Willows or Beatrix Potter, with a touch of Little House on the Prairie. Apart from the main characters, there's not much relation to the toy line and the original cartoons. Strawberry Shortcake began as a line of greeting cards that were popular enough to launch a few dolls, followed by the Tv show, and more toys and various themed items.
As with the cartoons, the main characters are independent kids. There's no reference to adults in their world. They're also tiny, wearing acorn tops as helmets. The kids interact with real woodland animals--an owl and a badger. The story is fairly standard fair--winter has lasted too long because someone stole the Snow King's Magic crystal which is needed to end the season. But I nevertheless enjoyed it.
There were a few extra mysterious background characters that aren't named, and aren't in the toy line. Who are these unnamed kids? Boisenberry Cobbler? Fruit Tart? We will never know....
As with the cartoons, the main characters are independent kids. There's no reference to adults in their world. They're also tiny, wearing acorn tops as helmets. The kids interact with real woodland animals--an owl and a badger. The story is fairly standard fair--winter has lasted too long because someone stole the Snow King's Magic crystal which is needed to end the season. But I nevertheless enjoyed it.
There were a few extra mysterious background characters that aren't named, and aren't in the toy line. Who are these unnamed kids? Boisenberry Cobbler? Fruit Tart? We will never know....
May 19, 2020
I remember reading this book as a child. I didn't own it, possibly it was a library book or something I coveted at a friend's house. ( With Amazon one can find almost any book, even this 1982 in good condition.)
The story doesn't follow along with the greeting cards or cartoons from the era. The illustrations are sweet and have a Holly Hobby feel ( in fact there are two kids in tow not mentioned and one looks just like Holly). Plum Puddin is a boy in this book and Elderberry Owl makes an appearance. (I always liked the story best with Plum being a boy.)
This book is quite nostalgic and my used book also has a inscription from Santa, 1982!
The story doesn't follow along with the greeting cards or cartoons from the era. The illustrations are sweet and have a Holly Hobby feel ( in fact there are two kids in tow not mentioned and one looks just like Holly). Plum Puddin is a boy in this book and Elderberry Owl makes an appearance. (I always liked the story best with Plum being a boy.)
This book is quite nostalgic and my used book also has a inscription from Santa, 1982!
Read
September 1, 2025Strawberry Shortcake and the Winter That Would Not End
Usually, the Strawberry Kids enjoy winter. They get to play in the snow, sled, and skate. But one winter was way too long! Strawberry starts to worry about her plants needing sunlight. So, the kids all have a meeting about it. Strawberry says she’s counter her jam supply and it getting low.
Plum Pudding worries that if spring doesn’t come soon they won’t have a big berry crop this year. Blueberry worries that if that happens, they won’t have anything to sell at the market. Raspberry says if they don’t get sun soon, she’ll lose all the pink in her cheeks. Even Huckleberry (who usually doesn’t worry about anything) has to admit its FREEZING COLD!
Elderberry Owl joins then and tells them about the awful thing that’s happened. After he catches his breath and has some mint tea and blueberry bread, he tells them that someone stole the Snow King’s Snow Crystal and that’s why winter hasn’t ended. While he was in the Deep Dark Woods, he saw Benedict Badger running for his life and carrying something. He thinks he stole the crystal.
Raspberry is convinced its him. He’s always mean to the animals. Blueberry says they don’t know for sure its him. Elderberry tho says he thinks it was him because the thing he was carrying was so bright it hurt his eyes. He carried into the woods and disappeared down a tunnel. Strawberry asks Elderberry if he thinks he can find the tunnel and he says of course. So, she decides its time to pay Benedict a visit. Blueberry doesn’t like it. Plum Pudding says he even heard Benedict can make branches wrap themselves all around you but Strawberry says they’ll be careful and they have to get the crystal back.
Strawberry tells Blueberry to pack some food for the trip and she tells Plum Pudding to ask Elderberry to give them a map. She tells Raspberry to bring a lantern and some rope and Huckleberry to bring helmets and swords (just in case). They make helmets out of acorns and swords out of sticks. They all tie ropes around themselves so they won’t lose each other. Finally they’re all set to go.
There’s an incident on the way there. Raspberry loses her footing going up a hill and gets covered in snow, but they make it to the Deep Dark Woods. But once they get there Elderberry can’t find the tunnel. So, the kids decide it’s a good time to stop for a rest. Elderberry contines to fly ahead to look for the tunnel. Plum finds it on the map and they put on their gear. The only one who has objections is Raspberry (not wanting the helmet to smoosh her curls). Elderberry makes up som excuse about “owls can’t go underground” and peaces out. (I thought owls were supposed to be courageous. I guess not).
The tunnel seems to go on forever, but Strawberry says they can’t turn back. All of a sudden something grabs Raspberry and she starts to freak out that he grabbed her hair. But she just got it tangled in a tree branch. They finally reach his door and go inside. He’s sleep in a chair and the crystal is sitting by him on a table. Strawberry attempts to tiptoe over and get the crystal but trips and Benedict wakes up. He already knows what’s going on. Benedict starts to yell out “Stop thieves” (which is funny because he’s just as much of a thief). He comes for Strawberry. Then they all play “keep away” with the crystal.
Eventually they tire him out, and they make a run for it. Plum Pudding is holding the crystal. But then all of a sudden Benedict starts crying and asking “What will I do?” Strawberry asks what’s wrong and he tells her she got what she came for just leave. She says ok but tell me why you took the crystal in the first place. He says so that winter would last all year. She asks why he’d want that. His reason so he can sleep, he doesn’t like the sun, and the sound of birds.
So, Raspberry points out that if it stays winter they won’t have berries to make their jams. He’s like so what do I care about jams. Then Huckleberry gives him some of his jam sandwich and he thinks its delicious and asks if he has another one. Because he doesn’t trust that they’ll leave, Strawberry agrees to give the crystal to give to Elderberry to give to the Snow King and they’ll stay and give him some of the food they brought.
Elderberry returns the crystal and the kids and Benedict have a party in the Burrow. When it’s time for them to leave, Benedit tells them he doesn’t want them to go. He won’t have any more jam and he’ll be alone again. Raspberry says they’ll come back and they’ll have more picnics. But he says they won’t. They’ll forget him. Strawberry comes up with the idea that when spring comes, he can move to Strawberryland and dig a new burrow right next to her strawberry patch and he agrees that this is a good idea.
After they leave, he thinks about how busy he’ll be in the spring digging a new tunnel and eating jam sandwiches every day. He goes back into his tunnel for a nap.
My Thoughts:
NO, I did NOT feel sorry for Benedict. I guess it’s because I hate the cold and have a SEVERE cold intolerance so I can’t imagine someone trying to turn it cold year room. Now if it was the reverse and he was trying to make it warm all year round I would have been more sympathetic. And it continues to annoy me that this Strawberry kid I have no idea who she is pops up in yet another illustration in this book. Yet, she never *says* anything and they never call her by name.
Rating: 5
Usually, the Strawberry Kids enjoy winter. They get to play in the snow, sled, and skate. But one winter was way too long! Strawberry starts to worry about her plants needing sunlight. So, the kids all have a meeting about it. Strawberry says she’s counter her jam supply and it getting low.
Plum Pudding worries that if spring doesn’t come soon they won’t have a big berry crop this year. Blueberry worries that if that happens, they won’t have anything to sell at the market. Raspberry says if they don’t get sun soon, she’ll lose all the pink in her cheeks. Even Huckleberry (who usually doesn’t worry about anything) has to admit its FREEZING COLD!
Elderberry Owl joins then and tells them about the awful thing that’s happened. After he catches his breath and has some mint tea and blueberry bread, he tells them that someone stole the Snow King’s Snow Crystal and that’s why winter hasn’t ended. While he was in the Deep Dark Woods, he saw Benedict Badger running for his life and carrying something. He thinks he stole the crystal.
Raspberry is convinced its him. He’s always mean to the animals. Blueberry says they don’t know for sure its him. Elderberry tho says he thinks it was him because the thing he was carrying was so bright it hurt his eyes. He carried into the woods and disappeared down a tunnel. Strawberry asks Elderberry if he thinks he can find the tunnel and he says of course. So, she decides its time to pay Benedict a visit. Blueberry doesn’t like it. Plum Pudding says he even heard Benedict can make branches wrap themselves all around you but Strawberry says they’ll be careful and they have to get the crystal back.
Strawberry tells Blueberry to pack some food for the trip and she tells Plum Pudding to ask Elderberry to give them a map. She tells Raspberry to bring a lantern and some rope and Huckleberry to bring helmets and swords (just in case). They make helmets out of acorns and swords out of sticks. They all tie ropes around themselves so they won’t lose each other. Finally they’re all set to go.
There’s an incident on the way there. Raspberry loses her footing going up a hill and gets covered in snow, but they make it to the Deep Dark Woods. But once they get there Elderberry can’t find the tunnel. So, the kids decide it’s a good time to stop for a rest. Elderberry contines to fly ahead to look for the tunnel. Plum finds it on the map and they put on their gear. The only one who has objections is Raspberry (not wanting the helmet to smoosh her curls). Elderberry makes up som excuse about “owls can’t go underground” and peaces out. (I thought owls were supposed to be courageous. I guess not).
The tunnel seems to go on forever, but Strawberry says they can’t turn back. All of a sudden something grabs Raspberry and she starts to freak out that he grabbed her hair. But she just got it tangled in a tree branch. They finally reach his door and go inside. He’s sleep in a chair and the crystal is sitting by him on a table. Strawberry attempts to tiptoe over and get the crystal but trips and Benedict wakes up. He already knows what’s going on. Benedict starts to yell out “Stop thieves” (which is funny because he’s just as much of a thief). He comes for Strawberry. Then they all play “keep away” with the crystal.
Eventually they tire him out, and they make a run for it. Plum Pudding is holding the crystal. But then all of a sudden Benedict starts crying and asking “What will I do?” Strawberry asks what’s wrong and he tells her she got what she came for just leave. She says ok but tell me why you took the crystal in the first place. He says so that winter would last all year. She asks why he’d want that. His reason so he can sleep, he doesn’t like the sun, and the sound of birds.
So, Raspberry points out that if it stays winter they won’t have berries to make their jams. He’s like so what do I care about jams. Then Huckleberry gives him some of his jam sandwich and he thinks its delicious and asks if he has another one. Because he doesn’t trust that they’ll leave, Strawberry agrees to give the crystal to give to Elderberry to give to the Snow King and they’ll stay and give him some of the food they brought.
Elderberry returns the crystal and the kids and Benedict have a party in the Burrow. When it’s time for them to leave, Benedit tells them he doesn’t want them to go. He won’t have any more jam and he’ll be alone again. Raspberry says they’ll come back and they’ll have more picnics. But he says they won’t. They’ll forget him. Strawberry comes up with the idea that when spring comes, he can move to Strawberryland and dig a new burrow right next to her strawberry patch and he agrees that this is a good idea.
After they leave, he thinks about how busy he’ll be in the spring digging a new tunnel and eating jam sandwiches every day. He goes back into his tunnel for a nap.
My Thoughts:
NO, I did NOT feel sorry for Benedict. I guess it’s because I hate the cold and have a SEVERE cold intolerance so I can’t imagine someone trying to turn it cold year room. Now if it was the reverse and he was trying to make it warm all year round I would have been more sympathetic. And it continues to annoy me that this Strawberry kid I have no idea who she is pops up in yet another illustration in this book. Yet, she never *says* anything and they never call her by name.
Rating: 5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 13, 2017
It was cute and had a good message, but it's hard to pinpoint an age group for this book. The content interest level is very young for a book with so many sentences per page and such dark pictures. Nostalgia drew me to it, but I can't really say when/if my daughter will show interest.
November 26, 2022
I mean it is Strawberry Shortcake. She will always be my ultimate childhood favorite, and, even as an adult, this reread had me deep in its action. How? I don't know. I just worry for my little berry friends and want them to be safe.
December 17, 2019
My mom gave me this book when I was in grade school. It’s still my favorite “Christmas” book to read each winter!!
Read
January 10, 2021A childhood favorite
January 26, 2022
The illustrations are *chef's kiss*. This made me so nostalgic.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews