In this cozy winter story, a six-hundred-year-old snowman and a ten-and-a-half-year-old girl strike up an unlikely friendship as they try to bring an end to the longest winter ever.
Article II of the Snowman Code: A snowman always helps a child in need.
It’s March, but the ground is still covered in snow, the lake in the park is still frozen over, and ten-and-a-half-year-old Blessing has three problems:
Problem #1: Blessing hasn’t gone to school in months. She just can’t stand those bullies, the Driplet Triplets, so her only solution to avoiding them is to pretend she and her mom moved to Australia.
Problem #2: Blessing’s mom gets sad in the winter. So sad she doesn’t go to work and sometimes doesn’t get out of bed.
Problem #3: The city is experiencing its longest ever winter, with no end in sight. And the longer it goes on, the longer her mom’s sadness does too. If spring doesn’t come soon and other grown-ups find out her mom is too sad, they’ll be separated again.
Just as Blessing starts to lose hope, she meets an unexpected new friend: Albert Framlington, a six-hundred-year-old snowman who just might hold the key to solving all three of her problems. But Albert has a problem of his own he may need a human’s help to solve.
Can this unlikely duo find a way to defeat Blessing’s bullies, win back Albert’s long-lost love, and overcome the never-ending winter before it’s too late? They have to try—that’s the Snowman Code after all.---from the publisher
256 pages 978-0008668792 Ages 8-12
Keywords: fantasy and magic, winter, love, family, depression, sadness, snowman, fears, bullies, romance, friendship, helping others, connection, 8 year old, 9 year old, 10 year old, 11 year old, 12 year old
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A beautifully-written, funny and moving tale of friendship and bravery In London, in a winter which shows no sign of ending, a unique friendship begins. This is the story of Blessing, aged ten-and-a-half, and Albert Framlington, aged six hundred – an eccentric snowman who has seen many winters in many cities, and who is duty-bound by the Snowman Code to help any child in need. Together, Blessing and Albert must find a way to defeat Blessing’s bullies, win back Albert’s long-lost love Clementine, and even overcome the never-ending winter itself… Perfect for fans of The Christmasaurus, A Boy Called Christmas, The Snowman and Paddington, The Snowman Code is a heartwarming, hilarious and unforgettable modern classic for families to curl up with on frosty winter nights.---from the publisher
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Blessing is never going to school again. Why would you go to school and give the Driplets another chance to bully?
But Blessing has bigger problems than that. Her mother, Margaret, has seasonal affective disorder. She gets very sad in the winter and she cannot take care of Blessing because of her sadness. Blessing is so deeply afraid that the social services people will find out her mother is so sad and the will take Blessing away. Blessing is desperate to stay with her mom.
All of this is the world Blessing lives in until... until dear reader... Blessing meets Albert, a snowman. Albert can talk. Albert can feel. Albert can be a very good friend to Blessing. But, you know how life is, so you can totally understand that Albert has his own sad problem. Yes, Albert is in love. He's in love with a snowman named Clementine. They haven't seen each other in 600 years which is a very long time not to see the person you love.
Can Blessing help Albert? Can Albert help Blessing? Can we help our friends? Can we be with them with their problems and think of ways to make their life better?
Adventure ensues. Love is love and it does not go away even over 600 years. Maybe Albert can find Clementine? Maybe Blessing can help her mom not to feel so sad. But, can you feel it dear reader? Can you feel the wondrous connection between Blessing and Albert? That's called friendship. It's called love. It's hard to lose but sometimes it can stay with you forever.
Recommended by: Barb Langridge, abookandahug.com
Other reviews:
‘Sparklingly humorous and poignant, it’s a perfect seasonal story’ Guardian, Best Children’s Books of the Year A beautifully hopeful, funny and heartwarming tale about the lasting power of love and friendship, from the critically-acclaimed and award-winning screenwriter behind Pixar’s Luca and Paddington 2. "
"A heartwarming seasonal adventure for the whole family to share "
The perfect Christmas keepsake gift for young readers "
