"PreS-Gr 1A young boy named James dreams of making a snowman. After a blizzard rolls through overnight, it looks like Jamess wish has been granted. This simple, beautifully conveyed story is an installment in the Poetic Vintage Tales series originally published in the Czech Republic in 1978. The artwork has a vintage European abstractness to it. The animals have large, human-like eyes and James, the main human, looks like an animal when his mouth is obscured. The snow takes on animalistic characteristics. Similar to how a cloud can resemble an animal, the blustery snow resembles a white horse. In a unique choice for a book from 1978, James eschews playing snow forts with the boys and decides to play carnival with the girls, dolling up a parade of snowmen in wigs and makeshift hats. ¬VERDICT A timeless tale about the transformative magic of a ¬snowstorm and imaginative play." School Library Journal, Starred Review
"All the way from the Czech Republic, a snow story for readers. A mystical white horse that symbolizes snowfall transforms the dark winter landscape at the beginning of this lyrical, enigmatic picture book. The wind blows the snow into drifts and piles on objects and animals outside, so in the morning, the yard is filled with snowmen, answering the dreams of a young boy named James. After he comes outside, the animals tell him how the snow has affected them. Ive lost the roof you made for me. It blew away my nuts and seeds. The wise woodpecker suggests that everyone pitch in and help. Abruptly, the scene shifts to focus on James peers romping in the snow; James decides he would rather join the girls in decorating the snowmen instead of playing with the boys, who are building forts. After James and a girl named Elise enjoy a day of wintry fun, that night the white horse appears in Elises dream. But only James knows why, reads the final, mystifying line. Some elements of this tale are confusing, perhaps quite literally lost in translation, though Kudláeks whimsical multimedia illustrations may pique readers interest, with playful details in the snowmens attire, the characters depictions, and the saturated landscapes. The children are pale-skinned. A bit too much left to wonder about in this winter wonderland." Kirkus Reviews
"Truly magical! Peek inside for a winter personified. A season brought to life in what feels like a dream, woven with imagination, wonder, and whimsy." Watermark Books&Cafe, Bookseller
"This is a lyrical read, packed with imagery and emotions. The artwork is beautifully done and opens up to dreams through its more traditional aquarelle and historical atmosphere. The scenes of the snowstorm open of to the world of metaphors with a wild horse of white, and that grabs attention while opening the mind to the realm of dreams and possibilities. There's a lovely mix between fantasy and more familiar reality to hold a playful tone through the entire read. Still, it never leaves the more traditional feel." Tonja R Drecker, Blogger
