Sweet, snowy children's story.

A new world is created here, with its own rules and history. One you might find yourself questioning why you never thought about it more yourself, though child readers discovering this alone are likely to take to the mythology straight away.

Blessing only discovers the snowman in the park can move and talk when she hides out day after day, avoiding the school bullies who make her life miserable, and can't tell her Mum, who's severely depressed by the never-ending winter (it's now May) and snow.

By accident, Blessing finds that she can speak to Albert Framlington, a more than 600-year-old snowman, who admits he has a Snowman Code to live by, and shares the snowman world with his new human friend.

Albert is a concoction of inventiveness and quirk, as he constantly makes a mess of human phrases and customs, but still shines through as a soft-hearted character with a longing for the beautiful Clementine he hasn't seen for centuries.

And can their quests together to help each other even help out Blessing's Mum, now taken away from their home due to her winter-related depression?

A comfortable read for an independent reader, with short chapters and illustrations to bridge the gap from easier material. The story is pretty compelling, as the snowman world is revealed and multiple strands where Blessing and Albert can help each other start to unfold.

It's funny and sweet, and Blessing is a worthy heroine, with her own problems.

This gives us the snowman background that Raymond Briggs' graphic short novel and cartoon couldn't hope to bring to curious readers. And a lovely seasonal story about friendship, family and sacrifice.

For ages 7 to 12.

With thanks to Netgalley for providing a sample reading copy.

This is such a lovely wintry book for children with a beautiful message.

Blessing has stopped going to school and her life is filled with her mum struggling with depression during the winter months. One day, she meets a six hundred year old snowman, Albert, in the park and she learns about friendship, love and how it can change your life.

The story was deceptively simple but really well written - I loved the characters and the underlying messages of hope. It’s a perfect book if you want something wintry but not Christmassy. Would make a lovely gift!

The Snowman Code
By Simon Stephenson
Published by HarperCollins Publishers

I absolutely loved this heartwarming adventure of love & friendship from Simon Stephenson. His hopeful yet funny style of writing is a joy to read and would be a delightful classroom read.
In London, when winter shows no sign of ending, a unique & beautiful friendship is formed.
This is the story of Blessing, aged ten-and-a-half, and Albert Framlington, aged six hundred – the eccentric talking & walking snowman who has seen many winters in many cities. But the Snowman Code exists to help children in need & together, Blessing and Albert need to help each other whilst finding a way to defeat Blessing’s bullies, win back Albert’s long-lost love Clementine, and reverse the never-ending winter!!
A wonderful heartwarming and cheekily funny story made for winter nights curled up together on the sofa.

Joanne Bardgett - teacher of littlies, lover of Children’s literature.
#Netgalley

The Snowman Code.

Suitable for Children Between 7-10

The story of blessing a young girl who is trying to hep her mum get better so she doesn't have to go into a foster home.

She meets Albert Farmington who himself is turns out is on a mission to find his one true love who he meet hundreds of years ago.

A really feel good book about friendship and working together.

Made me feel all warm and cosy.

Thank you for allowing me to read this early copy.

Parental mental health issues, school refusing child and going to live with foster parents is a huge amount to fit into a children’s novel but gosh is it done well. Despite containing all the above this book is fun - laugh out loud kind of fun but without lessening the impact of the aforementioned issues. A brilliant story that can be read, enjoyed and discussed.

So much heart! Magical snowy adventure⛄

This wintry story is wonderful on several different levels. It's a fast moving adventure for a truant ten year old called Blessing wandering the streets, parks and gardens of London. But it also confronts the issue of bullying and mental health, in this case a sadness and depression aggravated by the dark days of winter. And it's a great story of friendship.

Blessing has such challenges at home and at school. Her fantastic discovery of a living, talking snowman named Albert gives her hope about using her own ideas and initiative to partner with Albert and end a gloomy snowy winter that has lasted too long and endangered her mother's health.

It's not all happiness and light. I found the end had a lot of poignancy as Blessing is faced with the loss of her new friends. But I liked the emotional content. And I think a child in the 7-10 age range will really enjoy it.

Thanks to Harper Collins Children's Books and NetGalley for sharing a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

I love Luca and quite like Paddington 2, and children’s books in general.
Plus, I have a school-aged child. We read most of this story together. then I summarised the bits they missed to them (neurodivergent challenges).
Blessing is experiencing many challenges in her life and meets a curious snowman with a broken heart.
The two help each other overcome obstacles.
With its great characterisation and warm themes, this book proves to be a lovely read for 7-10 year olds.
Plot 4
Characterisation 4.5
Themes 5
Prose 4
Vibes/mood 4.5

The Snowman Code is a wonderful wintery fantasy adventure -perfect for 7-10 year olds ( or anyone young at heart)

Blessing lives alone with her mum who struggles with her mental health in particular suffering from seasonal adjustment disorder SAD and closes in on herself leaving Blessing to independently organise her days. Unhappy at school- bullied by the Driplet Triplets- she roams the city of London to pass her days.

All changes when she meets a snowman! Albert Framlington- the eccentrically, loveable and often mistaken about facts snowman. By saying "hello" six times to a snowman Blessing finds Albert speaks to her- it is all part of the Snowman Code which consists of various rules/articles that dictate the world of snowmen and women.

A friendship begins and Blessing and Albert soon discover they have the ability to help each other. Albert who is 600 years old has been searching each winter for his one and only love Clementine- and so the hunt begins. And when Blessing has to stay with a foster family, time is running out to help her mum . Winter must end.

This is a bighearted gently comedic read. It would be easy to picture the animated version. Blessings' life and challenges are dealt with sensitively but not losing touch of the relationship between the two main characters and the humorous situations they find themselves in. The pace is pitch perfect for independent readers and children will connect with Blessings and Albert.

Reggie Brown's illustrations add further charm to the story.

Suspend belief and enjoy this lovely cold frost night bedtime read or lower Key stage 2 class story. A wonderful wintery (not Christmassy ) tale.