FLOWERS FOR THE SNOWMAN; THE LITTLE DONKEY

by Gerda Marie Scheidl ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1988

Two unexceptional texts from a German author: The Little Donkey is yet another run-through of the familiar story of a faithful creature making his way through obstacles, self-doubt, and incredulity to a warm welcome in Bethlehem; however, Watts' expansive illustrations attractively evoke the Palestinian desert, and some readers will find the anthropomorphized donkey endearing. Flowers for the Snowman--while also slight--is more original, and a curious contrast to the donkey: the snowman, unwilling to accept his limitations, goes in search of ""really colorful flowers."" His encounters are also unsympathetic (""Snowman dear, it's sad I know,/but since you're only made of snow/you'll never see the flowers grow""). He finally stumbles into a greenhouse and melts, happy. The moral here doesn't seem particularly useful; but Wilkon is a gifted artist who makes the flowers glow against the snow and the night, makes lovely use of winter light, and gives the snowman a rueful, pensive air.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 26

Publisher: North-South--dist. by Henry Holt

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S