The Snow Girl

Sophie Anderson conjures up magic by recasting traditional folklore into absorbing stories that feel fresh and modern, yet timeless. This glittering story joins the ranks of beautiful art, music and writing inspired by the Russian fairy tale of the Snow Maiden, or Snegurochka.

Tasha and her parents have come to stay with her grandfather, helping on his farm in the far north of the country. Tasha loves the animals and the isolation. She is still struggling to deal with an incident that has damaged her trust in people and relationships. Her family are worried about her, and Tasha is worried about herself. She is lonely but unable to find her way back to the brave and gregarious person she used to be.

When the first snows arrive, Tasha builds a snow maiden, lovingly carving it with delicate details. If only it would come to life to be her friend, but wishes don't come true . . . or might they? Soon Alyana, the Snow Maiden, has danced into Tasha's life, full of fun and kindness. Together they take fairy-tale sleigh rides, nurse animals struggling through the winter, watch meteor showers, barn owls and snow hares. Gently, Alyana helps Tasha comes to terms with her fear and suspicion. Winter needs to end for the people and animals of the valley to survive, but can Tasha bear to let Alyana go? And if she doesn't, what will it mean for her grandfather and the other villagers?

Against the sparkling background of snow and ice, Sophie Anderson explores the need to live life to the full while we can and to accept that growth and change are inseparable. A perfect snuggle-up read for a cold Christmas evening!

336 pages / Reviewed by Louisa Farrow, teacher

Suggested Reading Age 9+

This magical tale, based on a Russian folk tale, was first published in 2023 (in hardback) but it has thankfully now arrived as a paperback, just in time to make a wonderful Christmas present for some lucky young readers.

The Snow Girl is the story of young Tasha who, after a traumatic accident, moves with her parents to help her grandfather on his country farm. Unfortunately, the past accident has left Tasha feeling scared and without friends, so that when she and her grandfather build a 'snow maiden', she wishes that this was a real person and is amazed when a girl called Alyana appears. Thy meet at night and have lots of adventures, but gradually Tasha realizes that winter is not going away and her new friend is somehow involved. How this situation is resolved makes for a truly wonderful and heart-wrenching story.

I thoroughly enjoyed this two years ago and re-reading it has only increased my love of the characters. What really comes across is the sense of community that there is among both the adults and children. They understand that they need each other to survive the harsh winter conditions and friendship is a vital part of that. Tasha is a lovely young girl, but she is so upset by her past experiences that she finds it difficult to make friends, thankfully her neighbours Klara and Mika, allow her the time to know them and are there to support her when needed. A five-star read.

336 pages / Reviewed by Margaret Pemberton, librarian

Suggested Reading Age 7+