''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."
02/01/2015
Gr 2–4—The Snow Princess of the title is the daughter of Father Frost and Mother Spring. She has the ability to call up snowstorms at will. As she grows older, she becomes increasingly curious about the outer world. Her parents give her permission to leave but caution her that she must not let love for a man enter her heart or she will not be safe from death. The Snow Princess revels with polar bears, reindeer and snowy owls, but she longs to see people. She meets Sergei, a young shepherd, and although she struggles against it, she falls in love with him. Her father reminds her in a dream that she must freeze her heart against him, and she calls up a mighty snowstorm to do so. However, when Sergei becomes lost in the storm, she knows she must find him, even if death is the result. Sanderson, Cinderella (Little Brown, 2002), does indeed have a way with words, and the story, based on a Russian opera, flows with the graceful ease of a traditional folktale. There is powerful imagery throughout, such as "At night, snowy owls cast blue black shadows as they glided above her in the moonlight." Sanderson's signature oil paintings, either on a full page or spreads, are saturated with blues in every possible hue, and the landscapes and clothing of the characters evoke the Russian countryside. VERDICT The length and complexity of the tale make it more appropriate for older elementary children, but it would be a lovely choice as the centerpiece of a winter-themed storytime.—Grace Oliff, Ann Blanche Smith School, Hillsdale, NJ
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)
