Have you ever woken up suddenly, in the middle of the night, without knowing why? Best-selling and award-winning master storyteller Maggie O'Farrell weaves an extraordinary and compelling modern fairy tale about the bravery of a little girl and the miracle of a snowy day.
Sylvie wakes one night, suddenly, without knowing why. Then she sees the most spectacular sight – a pair of wings, enormous in size, made of the softest snow-white feathers imaginable. An angel in her bedroom … a SNOW angel! He tells her that he is here to look after her, for Sylvie is not as well as she seems... Many months later, as Sylvie recovers from her illness, she longs to see her snow angel again. He saved her life! There is so much she wants to tell him, so much she wants to know! Will he ever come back to her? And how can Sylvie make sure that everyone she loves has their own snow angel, to keep them safe, too?
Maggie O'Farrell (born 1972, Coleraine Northern Ireland) is a British author of contemporary fiction, who features in Waterstones' 25 Authors for the Future. It is possible to identify several common themes in her novels - the relationship between sisters is one, another is loss and the psychological impact of those losses on the lives of her characters.
This was a beautiful children's story I listened to! I have read some of Maggie O'Farrell's adult books and what a wonderful surprise to find out she had written a children's picture book.
This one is charming and the audio is like magic. I can only imagine that the illustrations in the hardcopy would be stunning.
An excellent story for young and old alike. It leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling. ❄️ 👼 ❄️
My first experience with this book was listening to the audiobook and it was lovely, but I didn’t want to miss the beautiful illustrations so I bought a copy. The illustrations are indeed gorgeous and the story even more lovely the second time. Giving it as a gift to a little girl in my life. *********** Review of the audio book version. Maggie O’Farrell, one of my favorite writers of contemporary novels, last year published a magnificent piece of historical fiction . To illustrate her versatility once again, she has written this beautiful little fairy tale for young children or for those who are young at heart.
This is not just about “where snow angels go”, but where they come from - perhaps from the magic and innocence and love in a little girl’s heart. A little over a half hour to listen, it’s a lovely story.
I received a copy of this audiobook from Dreamscape Media through NetGalley.
Waking up one night to see a pair of wings made of snow-white feather, Sylvie is met by a snow angel who tells her that he is there to look out for her. Months later after recovering from an illness, Sylvie tries things - dangerous things - to conjure up this snow angel. She wants to talk to him, to see him, to thank him for saving her life, but will she ever see him again?
This was a charming audiobook for children and those who are young at heart. The story is cute and young readers will find it easy to follow. I enjoyed the audio narration and this charming, heartwarming book.
A perfect read (or listen) for a snowy day!
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
I listened to this lovely audiobook this morning, a book I’d only noticed yesterday was written by Maggie O’Farrell, narrated by Ruth Negga, with illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. This is O’Farrell’s debut into the children’s book genre.
One night, a young girl named Sylvie awakens to find a glimmering presence with wings in her room. The snow angel she had made the previous winter has returned. Every snow angel made by someone becomes their real angel who will look after and protect their creator. He has arrived in response to a need he has sensed in her, but he is also surprised by her ability to see him as it violates all the rules. Realizing that she is suffering from a fever, the angel awakens the mother, disappearing before she can see him. Sylvie’s illness lingers for months, but in those months she never forgets that the snow angel was there, and tries to summon his return.
If the illustration for the cover is any indication, this is a beautifully illustrated fairy-tale-like story of a young girl’s belief in the power of wishing and dreams, especially those that come true.
A story for the young, ages 7-10, and the young-at-heart.
Published: 2 November 2021
Many thanks for the ARC provided by Dreamscape Media #WhereSnowAngelsGo #NetGalley
What if the snow angels we make were up on a cloud watching out for us? Sylvie wakes up one night to a cold draft in her room that turns out to be a beautiful, though a bit bumbling, snow angel. It is simple science, he says. Things made of steam, water, and ice don't really go away. They just keep cycling around. That night the angel discovers that Sylvie has a fever and covertly wakes the mother so that she checks in on her daughter in the nick of time. Sylvie wants to see her angel again. She has questions. Will he be there when she needs him? Enjoy this heartwarming tale on audio (with a cup of hot chocolate) like I did. Ruth Negga's performance is excellent. The only thing missing is the beautiful illustrations. I will be tracking down a physical copy so I can enjoy them when I listen to the book again.
A big thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Beautiful book and illustrations with a heartfelt story. Brought a copy for my seven year old granddaughter who loves making snow angels. Think she'll love it.
A charming guardian angel tiptoed into Sylvie’s bedroom in the middle of the night — to help her …. He had wings …. enormous wings….. What? she saw him? That wasn’t how things worked for ‘snow angels’… but yes … she saw him …
The rest of the short story for children and adults —is heartwarming and narrated beautifully.
My third Maggie O'Farrell book, after Hamnet and I Am, this one a children's book read by Ruth Negga, a sweet story with a good sense of humor and sense of wonder about snow angels and their function in your life. Where DO they go, those snow angels, after you have made them?! Get your need-to-know answers right in this book!
This is early February USA, in the winter of 2022, where we have all the snowstorms we need right now to make our own snow angels!
You're welcome, but no, you are technically correct, there's no real close connection to the story, but I woke everyone up in the house yesterday--snow day!--with this song, so there.
If the snow angel watched her all the time, she thought to herself, then he was watching her now. He could see her at this very moment, sitting in class. (PG. 24)
Maggie O'Farrell does it again but this time with the help of illustrator, Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. The story is a beautiful one. You make a snow angel and he watches over you forever to keep you safe. What kid wouldn't want their own angel? The pictures were beautiful and very creative.
This seems to be O'Farrell's first children's book and I hope it's not her last. It was made when her daughter had a life threatening illness and she wanted to comfort her and then it grew from there. Now she is sharing it with us but with beautiful pictures included.
This would be a great Christmas or winter book, if you can hold it off that long.
One night little Sylvie wakes up and sees a figure in her room, which has turned icy cold. The figure is shocked that Sylvie can see him and tells her he is her snow angel that she created him in the snow last year and he is there to look after her. This is his first time protecting her and he is new to the job.
He tells Sylvie that she is sick, but she doesn’t feel sick. The snow angel wakes her mother who checks in on her daughter and finds her burning hot.
Months later after Sylvie has recovered from her illness she wants to see the angel again and so she tries lots of dangerous things to bring him to her so he can keep her safe, but will any of her stunts work? Will she ever see her angel again?
Where Snow Angels Go is a children’s book by award-winning author and this year’s Waterstone Book of the Year winner with her Novel Hamnet, Maggie O’Farell. I haven’t read her work before, although I did try to buy Hamnet from a book shop yesterday but they had sold out. After reading this book I will make sure I manage to get a copy as her story-telling skills and imagination are breathtaking.
The book was beautifully written and I adored the heartfelt story of a little girl trying to see her snow angel again after she finds out that he is there to protect her. It is also about the selflessness of the little girl as she worries about people who have never made a snow angel before not having a guardian watching over them.
The full-page illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini and a delight to look at and bring the story to life, you can feel the emotions that Sylvie goes through as well as the love the snow angel has for her.
This is a heart-warming and magical book that made me smile throughout. Perfect for these winter months and I can see a lot of children, once the snow has arrived, rushing to make their own snow angels.
Where Snow Angels Go, by Maggie O’Farrell was 35 mins of easy listening. I loved Ruth Negga as the narrator and would love to hear more from her. This was precious and I love to make Snow Angels. And I’ve since learned where they are and why they’re so precious. I found it enchanting and highly recommend it to a younger audience. Thanks Dreamscape Media via Netgalley.
The word that comes to mind after reading this story is "delightful." I want my very own snow angel after reading this.
This is one of those books that will spur the imagination and leave you dreaming of new possibilities. When Sylvie's snow angel comes back to protect her from a serious illness, he is shocked that she can see him. He tells her he will always be there to protect her. Desperately wanting to meet her protector again, Sylvie puts herself in some precarious situations but learns she can't fool her snow angel.
This is just a perfect winter read-together with your favorite small person.
A short and lovely audiobook. The narrator reads beautifully. It is a book about believing and what could be more Christmasy than that. I always wish I still had small children around me when I listen to or read such a book.
Where Snow Angels Go is the first book for children written by award-winning Irish-born author, Maggie O’Farrell. One summer night, Sylvie gets a visit from a novice snow angel: “He was picking his way through her room, muttering to himself, wings wafting behind him. ‘First, save the person,’ Sylvie could hear him say, ‘then fly down … no, that’s not right … Find the … No, hang on … first, fly down. Second, find the person. Third …’ He shook his head, muddled, shutting his eyes, as if for inspiration. ‘Now, what comes third? I’ve forgotten and I really ---‘”
He’s shocked to learn that Sylvie can see him: “’Oh dear. Oh no. I must have made a mistake. I’m going to be in so much trouble. This is my first flight, you see, and I did want it to go well. I’ve no idea what I did wrong.’”
Eventually, it is revealed that he is the snow angel that Sylvie made last winter, and he’s there to save her. Sylvie is sure she doesn’t need saving.
What a charming book for children this is! The illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini are quite enchanting. There’s a gentle message in there about not taking advantage of a blessing and caring for others. Perhaps children in countries without winter snow could transfer the idea to crop angels or sand angels? Clearly Maggie O’Farrell has more than one string to her bow! A delightful read.
A children’s book, yes; but you’re never too old to be enchanted by the beautiful story telling of Maggie O’Farrell and the stunning artwork of Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini. I recently saw these two lovely women (virtually of course) discussing the origins of the book and their first meeting. And Daniela drew for us during the conversation.
The little girl is adorable. And her dog! There are iridescent snowflakes on almost every page. The story is comforting and sweet in perfect Maggie O fashion. I would like this to be a winter solstice traditional read. Hopefully to the grandsons next year. But the book stays at Nana’s house 😉.
Thus begins my 2021 in books and a fitting one too, because I plan to read four more Maggie O’Farrell books that I have not gotten to yet. 💙
Everything about this book was lovely. The story by the amazing Maggie O’Farrell, the illustrations by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini, audiobook narration by Ruth Negga. Brilliant!
This is such a lovely first children’s book from one of my favourite authors of historical and contemporary fiction. The audiobook is beautifully produced with choral music and orchestral swells and the tone of Ethiopian Irish actress Ruth Negga's gentle Irish accent is perfect for a magical story with the feel of a modern classic.
The audiobook makes me want to read the print version illustrated by Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini and published by Candlewick Press. l fully expect that it is a great book to gift and read and re-read during Christmas or anytime over the cold season.
Definitiv eines der wunderschönsten Kinderweihnachtsbücher, die ich je gelesen habe. Die Geschichte ist wahnsinnig emotional und die Bedeutung des Schneeengels einfach so wundervoll, dass ich am Ende sogar ein paar Tränen verdrücken musste. Ganz zu schweigen von den Illustrationen, die einfach umwerfend schön sind.
“¿A dónde van los ángeles de nieve?” es la primera historia infantil que escribe Maggie O’Farrell, en la que nos presenta a Sylvie, una niña que tiene una experiencia mágica cuando sin esperarlo conoce a su ángel de nieve.
¿Qué es un ángel de nieve? ¿Qué hace? ¿Quiénes pueden tenerlos? Todas estas preguntas podrás descubrirlas junto con Sylvie, la protagonista de esta historia.
Este libro lo leí a mis hijos en voz alta, disfrutamos la historia y las ilustraciones, debo decir que son hermosas. Todas las páginas están ilustradas, unas más que otras. Esto enriquece la experiencia, sobretodo cuando se lee con niños pequeños.
Este mes leeré Hamnet, pero aún no empiezo la lectura. Por lo tanto “¿A dónde van los ángeles de nieve?” es el primer libro que leo de Maggie O’Farrell. Si tienen niños pequeños, este libro es muy buena opción para leérselos o para dárselos y que ellos lo lean.
Utterly, utterly beautiful, I can’t make up my mind which I love most, the wonderful story or the breathtaking illustrations. A book to be treasured and gifted to people you love.
This is a Children's Picture Book. I liked this one. It was a sweet story about the mission of snow angels in a person's life. It was a cute story. So 4.5 stars.
Van valami mágikus a hóban, ezt minden gyerek tudja és ezt tökéletesen megidézi a történet. Igazi klasszikus meséket idéző olvasmány ez. Hihetetlenül jó hangulata van, kicsit baljós, úgyhogy van benne izgalom is. S a mesét tökéletesen egészítik ki Daniela Jaglenka Terrazzini varázslatos rajzai. A Hóangyal tényleg szinte kékesen csillog, Sylvie alakjából, amikor megpróbálja őt megidézni sugárzik az életigenlés. Igazi belevaló kislány, okos és találékony ugyanakkor oltalmazó is. Pontosan megtestesíti azt a gyermeket aki amint a fordító és szakember, dr. Kádár Annamária meg is írja az előszóban olyan mint bármely vele egyidős: talál magyarázatot a hihetetlen dolgokra, ráadásul nagyon szereti nem csak magát, de mindenkit, akit ismer és szeret biztonságban tudni. Úgyhogy bár a könyv a gyerekek kimondatlan félelmeiről szól, megnyugtató válaszokat is ad ezekre. A bűbájos rajzokkal és hangulatos szöveggel pedig tökéletes téli olvasmány: megeleveníti a havat. S ha van rá alkalom, olvasása után biztos mindenki örömmel készíti el a saját hóangyalát.
This is probably one of the most visually stunning books I’ve read in 2020. The story is beautiful too. A young girl discovers that when we create a snow angel it becomes a guardian angel of sorts and is always there to look after and protect us. A truly beautiful little story. I will read this every year at Christmas! I think it would be a perfect tale for parents to read their kids before bed at night. I can almost see the scene... It’s Christmas Eve, the snow is gently falling and mummy and daddy are reading to the kiddies after they’ve played in the snow and left out milk and cookies for Santa. Perfect!
Η Maggie O' Farrel έχει γίνει πια μια από τις πιο αγαπημένες μου συγγραφείς! Μετά τον "Άμνετ" από τις εκδόσεις Ψυχογιός, έρχεται αυτή τη φορά με ένα παιδικό χριστουγεννιάτικο βιβλίο που μας μιλά για τον άγγελο - προστάτη που έχει ο καθένας από εμάς.
Μια πανέμορφη και γλυκιά ιστορία που θα κάνει τα παιδάκια να δουν τη ζωή τους μέσα από μια αισιόδοξη ματιά. Η εικονογράφηση ήταν φανταστική! Αποτελεί πλέον ένα από τα πιο αγαπημένα μου παιδικά χριστουγεννιάτικα βιβλία! Σας το προτείνω ανεπιφύλακτα!