The Magical Snowflake

by Bernette Ford (Author) Erin Robinson (Illustrator)

The Magical Snowflake
Reading Level: 2nd − 3rd Grade

Experience the enchanting and timeless tale of expectation, anticipation, and wonder crafted by renowned children's book author Bernette Ford. The Magical Snowflake captures the heartwarming essence of a young girl amid the frosty snow, making it more than just a children's Christmas book; it's an inclusive holiday read-aloud book that celebrates the winter season, community, family, and friendship.

Set in the midst of winter's chill, with an absence of snow, Ori and her friends yearn to play outdoors. Ori makes a heartfelt wish, and soon, a special snowflake brings joy to the entire town. Guided by the confidence of a young girl and the assured storytelling voice of author Bernette Ford, The Magical Snowflake leads readers through moments of pure delight, filled with song, dance, and seasonal cheer. For those seeking winter books or the perfect toddler books this holiday season, The Magical Snowflake promises to be the surprise of the year.

Destined to become a classic among Christmas books for kids, this story's enchanting protagonist, Ori, will inspire both children and adults to partake in the merriment and sing along to "We wish you a merry winter." The vibrant illustrations by Erin K. Robinson bring these unforgettable scenes to life, ensuring that this story will be etched in your heart forever.

Select format:
Hardcover
$18.99

Kirkus

Beautifully executed.

Publishers Weekly

Ford and Robinson's titular snowflake leads a community on a merry march in this hypnotic tribute to a season's first snowfall. "It was the middle of winter but there was no snow!" declares text alongside an early scene of children of various skin tones bundled up and frolicking atop frozen grass. When Ori, portrayed with brown skin, wishes for snow, a single "special snowflake" immediately lands atop her nose, seeming to whisper, "Follow me." Beckoning to her peers, the child pursues the flake as a storm descends. Gradually, adults join the kids as the lot make their way to town to sing a variation on a classic: "We wish you a merry winter." When the enchanted flake finally lands upon a string of lights across Main Street, it ushers in winter "at last." Spongy effects from Robinson capture the fuzziness of flurries coating the town, while iridescent hues conjure the bliss of an eagerly awaited winter storm. Ages 3-6. (Oct.)

Copyright 2023 Publishers Weekly, LLC Used with permission.

Review quotes

Robinson's layered artwork uses color and detail in surprising ways to deliver majestic scenes children will want to pore over again and again. Beautifully executed. —Kirkus Reviews, starred review

Bernette Ford
Bernette Ford (June 30, 1950 - June 20, 2021) was an author and editor renowned as one of the few African American women writers of children's books. Recognized for bringing diversity to publishing, she founded a group called Black Creators for Children, which would assist African American authors in creating new works by following a set of philosophies. During her career she penned many popular kids' books, several with Boxer Books, including No More Diapers for Ducky!, No More Bottles for Bunny!, and Ballet Kitty. A publisher for many years, she also founded and ran her own company, the children's book packager Color-Bridge Books. Bernette lived in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband, George Ford, until her passing in 2021.

Erin K. Robinson is an Emmy-nominated illustrator trained at the Parsons School of Design and the Corcoran School of the Arts & Design. Erin's illustrations have been featured in the New York Times and the Washington Post, among other publications. Her magical imagination is inspired by travel, color, texture, the feminine shape, and the many shades and coifs of Brooklyn, New York. She works in a variety of media, including watercolor, ink, markers, charcoal, stencil, and collage, as well as digital artistry. She illustrated Brave. Black. First.: 50+ African American Women Who Changed the World (Penguin Random House, 2020) and A Library (Versify, 2022). She has also designed a U.S. postage stamp, which was unveiled in October 2022. Robinson lives in New York City, and The Magical Snowflake is her first children's book with Boxer Books.

Classification
Fiction
ISBN-13
9781914912221
Lexile Measure
520
Guided Reading Level
-
Publisher
Boxer Books
Publication date
October 17, 2023
Series
-
BISAC categories
JUV039060 - Juvenile Fiction | Social Themes | Friendship
JUV051000 - Juvenile Fiction | Imagination & Play
JUV037000 - Juvenile Fiction | Fantasy & Magic
JUV009100 - Juvenile Fiction | Concepts | Seasons
JUV017010 - Juvenile Fiction | Holidays & Celebrations | Christmas & Advent
JUV074000 - Juvenile Fiction | Diversity & Multicultural
Library of Congress categories
Picture books
Snow
Winter
Play
Frienship

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