Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Crow, a hat-wearing scarecrow with Charlie Brown--esque features and a red plaid shirt, enjoys the seasonal companionship of a snowman named Snow in this sweetly patient picture book. Built one spring, Crow stands alone in the farmer's field season after season--not even the red tractor returns his greetings. But each winter, the farmer's children build him a comrade: a hill-shaped, carrot-nosed snowman named Snow. Despite slowly warming to one another, the duo must part ways once the snowman melts. Luckily, Snow is rebuilt the next winter, looking "a bit different" but retaining his character. The pattern repeats until the season when the farmer's children have outgrown making snowmen--the same winter that Crow wishes to impart a heartfelt message, one that has to wait until another generation comes out to play. Tallec's warm illustrations, done in bright acrylic and pencils, add lightness to this unconventional love story between unlikely figures. Ages 4--8. (Oct.)
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
Gr 1--2--A lonely white scarecrow spends his days alone in his cornfield, until the snow starts; then the farmer's children build a snowman next to the scarecrow, and the friendship of Snow and Crow begins. As the seasons pass, Crow looks forward to seeing his friend. Each Winter, Crow and Snow are steadfast companions until the time comes when the now grown children do not show up, and Snow is not rebuilt. Crow misses his friend and the opportunity to tell him how he feels. Eventually, new children arrive and, to Crow's delight, Snow is back. Crow has his chance: "'I love you.' 'I love you, too,' said Snow. Crow and Snow stood side by side. They were happy." Broder's somewhat flat text is matched by Tallec's wonderful, dynamic acrylic and pencil illustrations. Using various points of view and spot-on details, Tallec gives life to Snow, Crow and the landscape while keeping the story moving. VERDICT Purchase as needed; this story of seasonal friendship between a scarecrow and a snowman proves love triumphs all.--Catherine Callegari, Gay-Kimball Lib., Troy, NH
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
An unexpected love story. A joyful scarecrow with arms stretched wide and a stitched-on smile longs to make friends. The field can get mighty lonely. But the only new visitor is a tractor, and the tractor always rushes by Crow without talking. One winter, the farmer's children build a snowman, and suddenly Crow has a friend! Snow, a dumpy little fellow, and Crow stand side by side. "Will you be staying awhile?" Crow asks. "I'm not sure," Snow replies. "Maybe." Alas, in keeping with the transient nature of snowmen, Snow begins to melt. In a heartbreaking scene, the melted heap that is all that remains of Snow looks up from the ground. Luckily, winter comes around again, and Snow, while made from different snow and different features, is still Snow. Year after year, the pair's bond grows. But when the farmer's children get older, they stop playing in the snow, and Crow is left alone once again. When new children finally come, and Snow and Crow are reunited, Crow wonders "if he could say what he was feeling." A strong wind suddenly blows Crow out of the ground and into Snow's arms. Finally declaring their love for each other, they are right where they belong. (This book was reviewed digitally with 8.5-by-22-inch double-page spreads viewed at 34.1% of actual size.) A quiet tale of poignant resilience. (Picture book. 3-6) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
