The Smallest Snowflake

Description

Follow your dreams in this heartwarming winter tale! Every snowflake has a dream. While the other snowflakes boast about their plans to travel on to glamorous and far off destinations- the most beautiful mountain in the world or atop the golden pinnacle of the jeweled dome of the castle, St. Basil-the smallest snowflake simply longs for someplace special . . . someplace warm. The snowflakes fly over oceans, parting ways over mountains and red roofed farms, until at last, the smallest snowflake finds her home. And when spring finally arrives with snowdrops and unexpected friendship she knows that she has fulfilled her destiny. Bernadette's tender story transport readers with the magic of winter and the warmth of first spring.

Bernadette Watts, known throughout Europe simply as Bernadette, has illustrated many dozens of folk- and fairy tales. Born in England, she loved to draw from childhood. She studied at the Maidstone Art School in Kent, UK and for some time was taught by Brian Wildsmith and David Hockney . Bernadette's many beautiful books include The Snow Queen and The Bremen Town Musicians. Bernadette finds her inspiration in nature. Today she lives and works in Kent. She has been illustrating for NorthSouth Books and NordSud Verlag since the beginning of her career fifty years ago.

"The illustrations are soft and warm, and the story is heartwarming."-- "Midwest Book Review" "This is a lovely read teaching kids to follow their destiny, even if their destiny is different from others."-- "GoodReads with Ronna" "Children will admire her sense of purpose and her strong spirit, and they'll become entranced by the quaint illustrations that bring her tale to life. They're laced with soft hues and eye-catching details that'll spark their imaginations. Those ages five to nine will enjoy cuddling up to read this precious book."-- "Manhattan Book Review" "Watts takes readers on a beautifully illustrated journey across the world to find the perfect place for a snowflake to rest. While the larger snowflakes dream of landing on mountains and beautiful buildings, the smallest snowflake simply wants to find a place that is warm. It finally settles in a flower box on a window ledge and spends the winter admiring the cozy fire and tea kettle through the window. Eventually, snowdrops grow in the flower box and the smallest snowflake forms an unlikely friendship with the tallest snowdrop, leaving readers with a sweet tale of finding one's place and the transformative power of love. Mixed media illustrations compel the turning of the pages, as stunning pastel colors sweep readers from mountaintops to St. Basil's Cathedral to the snug window ledge. The muted palette transports the eye into chilly winter landscapes before giving way to the soft oranges and reds of the cottage. A charming story that would be ideal for transitional winter-to-spring read-aloud hours."--V. Lynn Christiansen "School Library Journal" With the delicacy of embroidery, Watts's ink and watercolor spreads show snowy landscapes around the wintry world: rosy-cheeked women in red scarves hurrying past the domes of St. Basil's Cathedral, Mount Fuji standing against a pink sky swirling with snow, ice-dwellers fishing by igloos and icy peaks.-- "Publishers Weekly" ...this is a lovely story to take children from winter to spring. It will inspire creative artwork, discussion, drama and story-writing. It is an ideal seasonal book -- So many different ways to share and talk about this lovely book. --