A review by backonthealex
The Snowbear by Sean Taylor

4.0

Iggy and Martina are surprised to wake up and find that it had snowed overnight. Going out to play, their mom tells them to be careful of the hill - it’s steep and slippery in the snow. The kids decide to build a snowman, but he looks more like a snowbear after they put a hat on him. Next, they decide to slide down the hill on their sled, but it is so steep and slippery that they can’t stop and find themselves deep in the woods, facing a very unfriendly wolf. Suddenly, the wolf runs away and Iggy and Martina are scooped up by their snowbear and taken up the hill to home. The next day the snow has melted and the snowbear is gone. Did he melt or did he return to the woods to live? Young readers can decide for themselves. This is a charming, magical winter tale that is sure to please kids. It is just scary enough for young readers, and will keep them speculating about the snowbear’s fate with each reading. Alexander’s childlike illustrations add to the magical storyline, and there’s lots of white space mimicking cold snow. There’s lots of shadowing in the woods to add to the tension, but snowbear’s friendly face coming to the rescue quickly dispels it. A nice family read aloud that will no doubt be read and reread.