The Snow Dog's Journey
One winter’s day, siblings Olen and Anna build a snow dog with fresh powder courtesy of the Frost King. Each morning thereafter, the children look forward to seeing their frozen friend until one day he is missing. The Frost King, it turns out, has taken Snow Dog to live in his ice palace, but Snow Dog is determined to return to his true home, and after a perilous journey, he reunites with his friends and enjoys a magical transformation. Krupinski’s delightful tale blends fantasy and reality in a familiar, warmhearted, shape-shifting animal story: “I want to be a real dog,” says Snow Dog. “If you believe in something, then it’s real,” answers Anna. The softly textured illustrations smoothly convey the characters’ individual perspectives and emotions, including the Frost King’s wistfulness as he searches for his snowy friend. Folkloric decorative details enhance the spreads, which shift from blue-hued wintry landscapes to bright, cheery cottage interiors. A warm, seasonal tale with a timeless message about the importance of home. Preschool-Grade 2. --Shelle Rosenfeld