The Snow Princess (The Ruth Sanderson Collection) - Hardcover

Sanderson, Ruth

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1566569850 ISBN 13: 9781566569859

Publisher: Crocodile Books, 2014

Synopsis

A BEAUTIFUL RETELLING OF THE CLASSIC RUSSIAN FOLKTALE WITH LAVISH FULL-COLOR OIL PAINTINGS When the Snow Princess sets off to see the world, Father Frost and Mother Spring warn her never to fall in love, lest she lose her immortality. She journeys alone through many lands, keeping her heart cold, but finds herself drawn to a kind and handsome young shepherd named Sergei. The Snow Princess begins to fall in love with him, but her parents’ warning haunts her dreams, and she must finally decide her own fate in the chaos of a powerful snowstorm that threatens Sergei’s life. Inspired by a Russian ballet and illustrated with Ruth Sanderson’s lush oil paintings, this original fairy tale will charm readers of all ages.

About this title

About the Author

Ruth Sanderson is the renowned illustrator and author of over 80 books for children. Her fairy tale retellings have been widely praised and much loved by children everywhere. Her original fairy tale, The Enchanted Wood, won both the Young Hoosier Award and the Bank Street College Award. The Texas Bluebonnet Award was given to her retelling of The Golden Mare, the Firebird, and the Magic Ring. Her beautiful and ornate version of the classic fable Goldilocks is the latest addition to the collection. She lives in Easthampton, MA with her husband.

Reviews

Gr 2–4—The Snow Princess of the title is the daughter of Father Frost and Mother Spring. She has the ability to call up snowstorms at will. As she grows older, she becomes increasingly curious about the outer world. Her parents give her permission to leave but caution her that she must not let love for a man enter her heart or she will not be safe from death. The Snow Princess revels with polar bears, reindeer and snowy owls, but she longs to see people. She meets Sergei, a young shepherd, and although she struggles against it, she falls in love with him. Her father reminds her in a dream that she must freeze her heart against him, and she calls up a mighty snowstorm to do so. However, when Sergei becomes lost in the storm, she knows she must find him, even if death is the result. Sanderson, Cinderella (Little Brown, 2002), does indeed have a way with words, and the story, based on a Russian opera, flows with the graceful ease of a traditional folktale. There is powerful imagery throughout, such as "At night, snowy owls cast blue black shadows as they glided above her in the moonlight." Sanderson's signature oil paintings, either on a full page or spreads, are saturated with blues in every possible hue, and the landscapes and clothing of the characters evoke the Russian countryside. VERDICT The length and complexity of the tale make it more appropriate for older elementary children, but it would be a lovely choice as the centerpiece of a winter-themed storytime.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ

Edition details

• Publisher: Crocodile Books
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1566569850
• ISBN 13: 9781566569859
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32