An original fairy tale forces a dog made of snow to choose between the Frost King who recognizes a kindred soul and the children who made him. One day, when the Frost King has brought enough snow for Anna and Olen to play in, the children make a Snow Dog, whom they love “as much as if he were real.” But the next time the Frost King passes over, he brings the sculpture to snowy life and takes him back to the Ice Palace. Much as he enjoys his icy life, Snow Dog misses the children. The arc of the story is predictable—Snow Dog returns to the children and turns into a live dog with fur and “a real nose!”—but the icy landscapes and Nordic designs appeal. Some kids may feel sorry for the Frost King, though; can’t he have a dog, too? (Picture book. 5-8)
