Publishers Weekly
09/20/2021
In her debut children’s book, novelist O’Farrell (Hamnet, for adults) adds piquancy to the moment when a blue-tinged angel with enormous feathered wings materializes in a girl’s bedroom by imagining that the angel is just as startled as the girl. Sylvie can see him, and that’s against the rules: “This is my first flight, you see, and I did want it to go well.” He’s a snow angel, he explains—every person who has ever made a snow angel creates a real one who looks after them for the rest of their life. A bold, even audacious child, pale-skinned Sylvie spends the months that follow exploring what her snow angel will—and will not—do for her, and for those she loves. Graceful ink and watercolor spreads by Terrazzini (The Seeing Stick) give pre-Raphaelite romance to the tall angel and to Sylvie’s soulful eyes and honey-colored hair. O’Farrell’s lengthy, storybook-style narration and winning dialogue (“I really had no idea that you would be so talkative,” the angel sighs) similarly give life to this witty exploration of godlike power and what it’s good for. Ages 7–10. (Oct.)
From the Publisher
O’Farrell’s touching, slightly eerie story is rendered beautifully by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. . . . Since its artwork is paired so well with the poetry of the words, ‘Where Snow Angels Go’ has the feel of a timeless bedtime story.
—The New York Times Book Review
Using line, color washes, and arresting perspectives, the illustrations in this lengthy picture book deftly convey the realism of Sylvie’s world, the wonder of her snow angel, and the sweetness of their bond in scenes of drama as well as stillness. . . . An appealing contemporary fairy tale told with humor and warmth.
—Kirkus Reviews
Graceful ink and watercolor spreads by Terrazzini (The Seeing Stick) give pre-Raphaelite romance to the tall angel and to Sylvie’s soulful eyes and honey-colored hair. O’Farrell’s lengthy, storybook-style narration and winning dialogue (“I really had no idea that you would be so talkative,” the angel sighs) similarly give life to this witty exploration of godlike power and what it’s good for.
—Publishers Weekly
A captivating illustrated story. . . hopeful.
—The Wall Street Journal
JANUARY 2022 - AudioFile
Ruth Negga’s gentle Irish accent perfectly reflects the tone of acclaimed Irish author Maggie O’Farrell’s story. Sylvie awakens one night to see a resplendent creature with snowy wings in her bedroom. It is her snow angel, who watches over her, having been sent to save her from danger. With distinct voices, Negga conveys the humor and wonder of their meeting. After this episode, Sylvie contrives ways to see the angel again but is unsuccessful until the following winter, when she makes a special request. Angelic-sounding choral music and orchestral swells enhance this timeless audiobook, which captures the magic and delight of snow. Pair this with the illustrated book and a cup of hot chocolate on a snowy day. S.C. 2023 Audies Finalist © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine
Kirkus Reviews
2021-07-27
After encountering her snow angel, a little girl longs for his return.
Young Sylvie awakens one night to discover a large, shimmering creature with blue-white skin and enormous, snowy wings in her bedroom. When she speaks to the creature, he’s shocked she can see him. He tells Sylvie he’s the snow angel she created last winter and that he watches over her, returning only when she needs him. The angel discovers Sylvie has a fever, wakes her mother, and vanishes. Sylvie’s ill for many months but remembers everything about her snow angel. When she recovers, she thinks obsessively about him, futilely engaging in risky behavior, hoping to trigger his return. In those times she’s truly in danger, swimming and riding her bike, Sylvie’s convinced her angel saves her. As winter approaches, Sylvie decides everyone should have a snow angel and asks her angel for help. The text and illustrations portray Sylvie as an inquisitive, independent, somewhat lonely White girl fascinated by her majestic, magical, winged male protector who, while constrained by professional protocols and resplendent in sparkling robes, responds sympathetically to her attentions. Using line, color washes, and arresting perspectives, the illustrations in this lengthy picture book deftly convey the realism of Sylvie’s world, the wonder of her snow angel, and the sweetness of their bond in scenes of drama as well as stillness.
An appealing contemporary fairy tale told with humor and warmth. (author’s note) (Picture book. 7-10)
