I first heard about snow snakes when I was a kid. I’d fall, and someone, maybe a parent, maybe a friend would say “watch out for snow snakes!” In my mind, snow snakes were mischievous, rather devious, and something to be avoided.
Snow Snakes Are Good
So, imagine my surprise when I first read the new picture book, Sonder the Snow Snake, by Annie B. Fox, and discovered that snowsnakes want nothing more than to help skiers and riders — not trip us up! Or, as Sonder’s Grandslither (that’s grandmother in snow snake speak) puts it, “It’s great fun for a snow snake to hold on to a child’s boot and help them turn. If you would like, I can teach you how, but to do it well takes lots of practice.”
Practice — and patience — are not Sonder’s strong suit. Earlier in the book, Sonder tries to catch snowflakes, make snow angels and tunnel under the snow. Like most of us, Sonder wants to be able to do this things well — and immediately. When he tries and fails, he gives up wishing that he “could be really good at something.”
Practice?
Thinking that “practice” doesn’t sound like so much fun, Sonder jumps in full-bore and attaches himself to a little girl. Predictably, she crashes. She’s not hurt, but Sonder is. So off he “slimps” (that’s limping for a snake) to Grandslither. Humbly, he asks for her advice, which she gives him.
Grandslither has a Zen-like outlook, so her first advice is to Sonder is go off into the forest and clear his mind. When he comes back, he’s ready to learn more, and soon, with practice, and patience, he is really good helping skiers and snowboarders turn, preventing falls instead of causing them.
Japanese Influence
When I opened Sonder the Snow Snake I was struck by the beauty of the illustrations. A combination of watercolors and freehand digital illustration, the colors are luminescent and images are evocative of Japanese art. This nod to Japan is purposeful. Author Fox has fond memories of her father telling her of his travel’s in that country and she is a fan of Asian design. As you read through the book, you notice not only Mt. Fuji in the background, but a likeness of “the Great Wave Off Kanagawa” a famous woodblock print from the 1830s. Other nods to Japan include the character for “snow” found in many of the pictures and the underlying philosophy.
I asked author Annie B. Fox about this connection. “Sonder is a little guy trying to be mindful and aware, and trying to develop wisdom and understanding. All of which are Buddhist ideals.” Although Sonder is named after Sondre Norheim, the Norwegian-American father of skiing, Fox felt that the message and tone of the book pointed due East.
Patience Is Good
The first time I read Sonder the Snow Snake, I read it out loud to my family as we were going skiing. I wanted to get their reactions and impressions. Everyone liked the story, but because I was reading it from a PDF on my laptop they couldn’t see the illustrations. They wanted to know was what Sonder looked like. When I showed them the warm and fuzzy rendering of Sonder, they liked the book even more. I think most kids will feel the same way.
Next I asked my family about the philosophy of practice and patience found within the story. I am not a patient person and when I asked my kids what they thought of the two-part message — patience and practice — my younger son looked at me and said “You won’t get it. You’re not patient at all.” And that, in the end, was what I most like about this book. While it’s a lovely, enjoyable picture book for kids, the message is universal. We can all learn something from Sonder.
Giveaway
Annie B. Fox has graciously offered to giveaway five copies of Sonder the Snow Snake to five readers of the Brave Ski Mom. To enter, please leave a comment. A random drawing for each of the five books will be held on Tuesday, January 24.
More information on Sonder The Snow Snake can be found at SonderTheSnowSnake.com. Purchase the book direct from this site and Annie will autograph it. Annie is also donating 5% of all proceeds from the sale of Sonder the Snow Snake to SaveTheSnowSnakes.org, a nonprofit dedicated to educating kids about climate change and how they can make a difference.
I reviewed Sonder the Snow Snake at the request of the author. To facilitate the review, I received a PDF file of the book, in lieu of the actual book. As always, all opinions are my own and are exactly what I would share with family and friends. This post contains affiliate links.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Jenny, Megan, Holly, Judy and Mindy!
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Jenny says
This book sounds lovely. I am always interested in books that center around outdoor activities and have a moral:)
braveskimom says
It is a lovely book. Good moral, but not at all preachy. And the illustrations are so appealing! Good luck!
Amelia says
This would be PERFECT for our snow-loving, book-loving kids! 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
braveskimom says
I think it’s perfect, too! Good luck!
Jennifer says
This looks like a wonderful book – just in time to start our two year old on ski bunny lessons next year! I really like the look of determination on Sonder’s face as they zoom down the mountain.
braveskimom says
I know, he certainly does look determined. Your ski bunny will love this book. So will you!
Candace Larsen says
Sounds like a great book I’d love to read! I’m sure DD will enjoy the pictures as well!
braveskimom says
Thanks! Good luck!
laura Ellingson says
Would love to share this story with my boys. My 9 year old is such a good reader and dreams of being an author himself someday! Thank you for the opportunity.
Laura
braveskimom says
How exciting to have readers and authors in the home. I think all books are so amazing, and inspirational. Good luck!
Scott McGee says
Looks like an awesome book! I sent the link to my tele friends in Japan ; )
Scotty
braveskimom says
Thanks for sharing it far and wide. The author is a really neat person and her book is great. Thanks!
Bring The Kids says
That looks really great. I’m sure my kids would love it!
braveskimom says
I’m sure they would too. So would mom and dad :0) Good luck!
Amy says
Looks great. This would be a wonderful addition to our tiny, but growing, school library. Of course, we would read it first.
Thanks,
A Colorado mom of a skiing family
braveskimom says
And, you can always check it out again! Thanks!
Megan says
Oooh, I’d absolutely love a copy! (Just the thing to read when trapped inside by -28oC weather – well, not that we’re trapped, but it’s not very enticing)
braveskimom says
Sounds “trapped” to me. Good day to curl up with tea, by the fire, and read a book to someone snuggly!
Brenda says
Would love to get this for my kids
braveskimom says
I think they’d love it too! Thanks again for the information on Grand Targhee. Still hope to get there someday soon!
https://braveskimom.com/why-my-family-loves-skiing-at-grand-targhee-wyoming
Holly S. says
I would love a copy of this for my boys!
braveskimom says
Good luck!
SoCal Ski Mom says
How do you find such amazing ski related things, all the time? Love the story!
braveskimom says
Most everyone finds me! Which I love and appreciate so much. Good luck!
Tara- ski mom & teacher says
I would love a copy of this book to share with my own children, who ski, and my classroom of 5th graders. I would agree that we can all use a lesson that reminds us of the importance of patience and practice. This was actually a topic of conversation in one of my reading groups today!
Also, I enjoyed the post about Winter Park. WP & Mary Jane are our favs!…Well, except for the fact that my daughter is terrified of Mary Jane. She has listened to way too many stories from ski instructors about how legendary the bumps are. Your post on the fearful skier was also helpful for this issue.
braveskimom says
Thanks Tara! I am so happy that you enjoyed those posts. We’ve had similar issues with our boys — in particular with mountain biking. Our youngest heard that a trail was difficult and then he became afraid of it — even though he’d already ridden it! We have to be careful what we say and what they hear, don’t we?
Patience and practice: such important lessons. I chose one word for 2012 to focus on. It’s patience.
Thanks again for your comments and have a wonderful ski season! Have fun with those 5th graders!
Cheers.
Jill says
Oooh, this sounds like a perfect book for my 4-year-old twins who are taking ski lessons. One is into it, the other not so much. Which kills me, of course. I totally think this book might help!
braveskimom says
You are a BRAVE ski mom with 4-year-old twins! Good luck!
Colley says
Would love to read it to my 3 boys … got Blake off the harness last weekend so looking forward to a future of skiing upright!
braveskimom says
That is so exciting. Straightening out your spine will feel GOOD! Thanks for visiting and commenting. Cheers!
Judy Berna says
I’d love to see this book! I love skiing and I love kid’s books, so I can’t wait to explore this book further. Great review.
Judy
braveskimom says
Thank you. Me too — love kid’s books! Cheers!
Alex- PuddlegearAlex says
My three ski kids would love this! My youngest is just 4 and this is her first year on the big Lifts!
braveskimom says
The whole family on the big lifts! It doesn’t get sweeter than that! Good luck!
Robyn says
Sounds like the perfect book to help my 5-year-old find her ski confidence!
braveskimom says
It just might be. I know she’ll get there! Good luck!
Alyssa Erickson says
Would love a copy for my kids! My dad always told me stories of the infamous snow snakes as a kid.:)
braveskimom says
The snow snakes are out there. Maybe if we all read this book, they’ll bring us more snow! Good luck!
Amber says
Sounds like a wonderful book!
braveskimom says
You’ll love it!
Mindy Heimer says
That sounds like the perfect book for my oldest! He’s so interested in skiing and makes connections with book/tv characters really well. Thanks for the chance!
braveskimom says
It does sound perfect! Enjoy!
Robyn says
Sounds like one I need to add the the “snow/ski” book collection!