Review: The Snow Girl

The Snow Girl is a wondrous adventure which swirls with wintry magic – a story of friendship, of courage and of re-awakening.  Utterly mesmerising and guaranteed to find a place in the hearts of young readers who I have no doubt will be completely captivated by this tale, just as I was, and will want to return to it again and again.

Twelve-year-old Tasha and her parents have moved in with her grandpa whose ill-health has made it difficult for him to look after his farm, and loves looking after the animals there.  She has always dreamed of seeing snow and is excited when it begins to fall, but she is feeling lonely as a past difficult event in her life has made her close herself off from friendships and adventure. 

When she builds a snow girl with her grandpa, whispering her hopes and dreams as she carves, he tells her to make a wish as the first snow holds powerful magic.   Wishing for a friend, she is disappointed to wake up the next morning to see that the snow girl has gone … but then she follows some footprints and hears a girl’s laughter – and meets Alyana.  Could her wish have come true after all?

So begins a truly enchanting fairytale as the two girls enjoy wonderful moonlit sleigh-driven adventures through an icy, snowy world of forest creatures, ice-caverns in the mountains and frozen lakes.  Whilst keeping her magical adventures with her new friend a secret from her family, Tasha spends her days ever so slowly thawing from the fear that has kept her company for so long … but could her new friendship be stopping the arrival of spring and causing hardship and danger for others in her community?

Tasha is a wonderfully sympathetic young girl who has found her way into my heart.  A traumatic experience in her past has made her shut herself off from the opportunity to make new friends making her feel trapped and alone, but Alyana helps her relinquish her past pain, face her fears and accept the joy of friendship.  Her adventures with Alyana through the wintry, frozen wonderland give her the courage to slowly form other friendships and have the confidence to be part of the wider community, but will she have the strength to let go when all she wants is to hold on to her friendship?

This is a story that is inspired by the Russian fairytale, The Snow Maiden, and I loved the versions of the tale which Grandpa and Mika share with Tasha, honouring the tradition of oral storytelling.   But this is very much its own story with its lyrical writing, ethereal-like descriptions embodied with a sense of wonder and awe, hope and loss, joy and sadness.        

My proof copy does not have illustrations, but I have seen some of the stunning images from the gorgeous hardback edition which will make a perfect present for young readers of 8+.  I have pre-ordered a signed copy for my niece and know that she will adore it!  I can just imagine this being a much-loved shared family read in the much-needed quieter moments of the holiday period …

Make reading this stunning adventure, a story of family, love and friendship swirling with winter’s wondrous magic, a new family tradition. 

Thank you to Fritha Lindqvist and Usborne for a proof copy in exchange for my honest opinion.