''It is easy to underestimate the power of Sanderson's exquisite oil paintings, with their glowing textures and near-perfect detail. Most of the full-page, full-bleed illustrations are done in every shade and tonality of blue, from the ice to midnight, and she uses the washed gold of winter sunlight to pick out other effects. The page spread of the Snow Princess in her snowflake-studded, ermine-trimmed cloak, her dark hair afloat, with her hand resting on a striding polar bear, will make little girls in particular swoon.'' —Kirkus Reviews
''Sanderson's version of a Russian folktale is based on the Tchaikovsky opera-ballet The Snow Princess, which recasts the traditional story as a romance in which the daughter of Father Frost enters the human world and finds her icy heart warmed, to her parents' dismay, by a handsome youth. Sanderson's resplendent oils have a suitably chilly polish, and children will be transfixed by the characters' elaborate Byzantine costumes. Sanderson stays true to her source in every detail but one: in the opera the girl is as doomed as her folktale counterpart, but Sanderson allows her to forgo her immortality to stay with the man she loves.'' —Booklist
''Want a cozy read-aloud for chilly nights? The Snow Princess is an exquisite choice...Author/Illustrator Ruth Sanderson uses words and images to masterful effect. Initially, pictures are rendered in cool tones: blue, gray, black. As the story continues, the oil paintings begin to glow with greater color and warmth, in keeping with the Snow Princess's blossoming love.'' —Washington Parent
''Sanderson's version of a Russian folktale is based on the Tchaikovsky opera-ballet The Snow Princess, which recasts the traditional story as a romance in which the daughter of Father Frost enters the human world and finds her icy heart warmed, to her parents' dismay, by a handsome youth. Sanderson's resplendent oils have a suitably chilly polish, and children will be transfixed by the characters' elaborate Byzantine costumes. Sanderson stays true to her source in every detail but one: in the opera the girl is as doomed as her folktale counterpart, but Sanderson allows her to forgo her immortality to stay with the man she loves.'' —Booklist
''Want a cozy read-aloud for chilly nights? The Snow Princess is an exquisite choice...Author/Illustrator Ruth Sanderson uses words and images to masterful effect. Initially, pictures are rendered in cool tones: blue, gray, black. As the story continues, the oil paintings begin to glow with greater color and warmth, in keeping with the Snow Princess's blossoming love.'' —Washington Parent
''Sanderson's version of a Russian folktale is based on the Tchaikovsky opera-ballet The Snow Princess, which recasts the traditional story as a romance in which the daughter of Father Frost enters the human world and finds her icy heart warmed, to her parents' dismay, by a handsome youth. Sanderson's resplendent oils have a suitably chilly polish, and children will be transfixed by the characters' elaborate Byzantine costumes. Sanderson stays true to her source in every detail but one: in the opera the girl is as doomed as her folktale counterpart, but Sanderson allows her to forgo her immortality to stay with the man she loves.'' —Booklist
''Want a cozy read-aloud for chilly nights? The Snow Princess is an exquisite choice...Author/Illustrator Ruth Sanderson uses words and images to masterful effect. Initially, pictures are rendered in cool tones: blue, gray, black. As the story continues, the oil paintings begin to glow with greater color and warmth, in keeping with the Snow Princess's blossoming love.'' —Washington Parent
''Sanderson's version of a Russian folktale is based on the Tchaikovsky opera-ballet The Snow Prince —Washington Parent
''Sanderson's version of a Russian folktale is based on the Tchaikovsky opera-ballet The Snow Princess, which recasts the traditional story as a romance in which the daughter of Father Frost enters the human world and finds her icy heart warmed, to her parents' dismay, by a handsome youth. Sanderson's resplendent oils have a suitably chilly polish, and children will be transfixed by the characters' elaborate Byzantine costumes. Sanderson stays true to her source in every detail but one: in the opera the girl is as doomed as her folktale counterpart, but Sanderson allows her to forgo her immortality to stay with the man she loves.'' —Booklist
''Want a cozy read-aloud for chilly nights? The Snow Princess is an exquisite choice...Author/Illustrator Ruth Sanderson uses words and images to masterful effect. Initially, pictures are rendered in cool tones: blue, gray, black. As the story continues, the oil paintings begin to glow with greater color and warmth, in keeping with the Snow Princess's blossoming love.'' —Washington Parent
"Sanderson's resplendent oils have a suitably chilly polish, and children will be transfixed by the characters' elaborate Byzantine costumes."
"Painted with oils, the artwork is simply stunning-among the most beautiful picture books I have seen."
"Sanderson's resplendent oils have a suitably chilly polish, and children will be transfixed by the characters' elaborate Byzantine costumes."
Sanderson tells a romantic tale of the daughter of Father Frost and Mother Spring. The Snow Princess can call snow at will, but her parents remind her that she must never open her heart to falling in love. She goes off to see the world-the forests, the animals, and most of all, the people. When it's time for the winter fair, she's enchanted by the dancing, singing, and merriment, and touched by the attention of one Sergei. Although she runs away, and a great snowstorm comes up, her heart is full of him. She finds Sergei, lost in the melting snow, and her heart melts, too. It is easy to underestimate the power of Sanderson's exquisite oil paintings, with their glowing textures and near-perfect detail. Most of the full-page, full-bleed illustrations are done in every shade and tonality of blue, from ice to midnight, and she uses the washed gold of winter sunlight to pick out other effects. The page spread of the Snow Princess in her snowflake-studded, ermine-trimmed cloak, her dark hair afloat, with her hand resting on a striding polar bear, will make little girls in particular swoon. (Picture book. 4-8)
