The Little Book of Snowflakes

by Kenneth Libbrecht

Following the success of "The Winter's Secret Beauty", this companion gift book features new, super-detailed photographs of snowflakes, detailed captions containing the science behind their beauty, and literary quotes relating to snow and nature.

Genres: Nonfiction, Nature, Photography

96 pages, Hardcover

First published October 31, 2004

Reviews

[LuAnn · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful way to start the year, gazing at the sheer beauty of one of my favorite natural phenomena--snowflakes! Thanks to Vermont farmer Wilson Bentley who pioneered snowflake photography in the late 1800s, we can enjoy these pristine pictures, inspiring quotes and snowflake facts from an adviser to Frozen! I look forward to seeing Libbrecht's other snowflake books.

[Wiseman · Rating 5 out of 5]

I never knew there was so much more to snowflakes!

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

This would make a great stocking stuffer or Christmas gift for someone you don't know that well.

[Danielle Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Beautiful pictures of snowflakes, accompanied by facts about how they form and related quotes on nature, etc. My favorite quote was “simple pleasures are the last healthy refuge in a complex world.”

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such beautiful images, wonderful quotations, and interesting facts about snowflakes.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

This beautiful little book by Kenneth Libbrecht is absolutely stunning. He has added quotes and poems to photos of snowflakes in a wonderful way.
I love snowflakes, especially since I was a snowflake collector in a previous life (real snowflakes). I worked at the University of Wyoming for the Natural Resources Research Institute as a research assistant to the professor who was the snowflake man in the group. We were studying ways to increase the snow pack on the mountains because this is the water supply for this desert state. I discovered Snowflakes in Photographs by W.A. Bentley while I was working there and also found much of his early work in the National Geographic magazines and other publications of the early 20th century. I believe that Kenneth Libbrecht is a worthy successor to W.A. Bentley.
I have added his other books to my "wish list".

[Margaret Klein · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book captures the beauty of individual snowflakes. Like people, they are all different. And they are beautiful. And they are six sided so they are perfect to teach about G-d creating us b'tzelem elohim, in the image of G-d, each individually. The photography in this book is outstanding. There is a bigger book, but this one is just perfect for passing around a classroom or even showing pages on Zoom. It really can enrich a snowy day when people are feeling isolated because of a snow storm. I used it at services and then again at havdalah.

Edit: This week a member of my congregation had a Zoom background of a snowflake just like one of these photos. I immediately pulled the book and reread it. It is such a delight. An amazing photographic book that makes the beautiful snow truly awesome.

[Ami · Rating 3 out of 5]

Again, Libbrecht has a different style of photomicrography than Bentley; he uses light & background colors to produce a bluish tint to the flakes. This book is peppered with factoids & quotes, including one from Snowflake Bentley himself that reads: "Besides combining her greatest skill and artistry in the production of snowflakes, Nature generously fashions the most beautiful specimens on a very thin plane so that they are specially adapted for photomicrographical study."

[Adams' Country Retreat · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book for this time of year. Pictures of snowflakes are majestically captured by a photographic telescope especially built by the author. Each unique snowflake is shown in an up-close and technical view. One is able to see what our Lord masterfully designed when viewing the pictures of this lovely book. What a blessing that the author chose to show us what we are unable to see with our own eyes.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the amazing photographs in this book.. taken with a photomicroscope. The book explains a bit of the science behind snowflakes with amazing photos and beautiful quotes from literature. I never tire of looking through it.

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this little book thinking that the pictures might give Mom new ideas for crocheting snowflakes. Years ago I tried to take pictures of snowflakes, so I appreciate every one of these pictures.

[Karissa Boger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photographs of snowflakes fill this tiny book. There are numerous quotes that express appreciation for nature and especially the unique snowflake. It is perfect to read in preparation for the holiday season.

[Dianna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully photographed snowflakes will thrill you and how he was able to get all these is amazing.

[Barb Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was not just a pretty little book but informative.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a book full of photographs of snowflakes under a microscope.
The variety of snowflakes is mind boggling! I put it on display in the winter.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome photographs. Such beauty.

[Netsen7Bookdragon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Most wonderful little book with pictures and info about snowflakes,

[Debra Golden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Science, poetry, and a bit of magic makes for a gem of a book filled with dozens of magnified photos of snowflakes.