Synopses & Reviews
In
Snowflakes Fall, Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan and award-winning artist Steven Kellogg portray life’s natural cycle: its beauty, its joy, and its sorrow. Together, the words and pictures offer the promise of renewal that can be found in our lives — snowflakes fall, and return again as raindrops so that flowers can grow.
MacLachlan and Kellogg, who are longtime friends, were moved to collaborate on a message of hope for children and their families following the tragic events in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, on December 14, 2012. Kellogg lived in Sandy Hook for thirty-five years — he raised his family there and was an active member of the community. With Snowflakes Fall, they have created a truly inspiring picture book that is both a celebration of life and a tribute to the qualities that make each individual unique.
In honor of the community of Sandy Hook and Newtown, Random House, the publisher of Snowflakes Fall, has made a donation to the Sandy Hook School Support Fund. Random House is also donating 25,000 new books to the national literacy organization First Book in the community’s honor and in support of children everywhere.
Review
"Adults can share this book to address tragic events, discuss grief and the recovery process, and remind children of the precious beauty of life." School Library Journal, Starred Review
Synopsis
Newbery Medalist Patricia MacLachlan and acclaimed picture book creator Steven Kellogg collaborate in a tribute to the community of Sandy Hook, Connecticut.
The people of Sandy Hook adopted the snowflake as a symbol of renewal and hope in the wake of the tragedy in December of 2012. Upon hearing this, children everywhere sent paper snowflakes to the town — thousands of them — sending a message of support and bringing the magic of a winter wonderland to their community. Illustrator Steven Kellogg, who had raised his own family in Sandy Hook, felt compelled to respond through his art, drawing upon his fond and intimate memories to evoke the spirit of the town. His paintings inspired Patricia MacLachlan to write Snowflakes Fall, a gentle, poignant poem that uses snowflakes to celebrate the uniqueness of life, its precious, simple moments, and the strength of memory.
Random House Children's Books together with Random House, Inc. will make a significant monetary donation to child-focused organizations that will be chosen by the collaborators.
About the Author
Patricia MacLachlan is best known for her Newbery Medal-winning novel,
Sarah, Plain and Tall. Born in Cheyenne, Wyoming, she attended the University of Connecticut and has written more than a dozen stories for children including
Baby and
Journey. She now lives in Williamsburg, Massachusetts, with her husband.
Steven Kellogg has published over 100 award-winning books for children, among them The Day Jimmy's Boa Ate the Wash, Johnny Appleseed, and the Pinkerton books. He studied illustration at the Rhode Island School of Design where he became intrigued by the picture book format. He lived in Sandy Hook, Connecticut, for 35 years with his family, where he was an active member of the community. He now lives in Essex, New York, with his wife.