Jack Frost

It's winter and the young boy is sad because all his friends are hibernating. He spots some patterns on the window, and soon discovers that Jack Frost is willing to play with him. He mustn't mention anything warm though, or it would break the spell and Jack Frost would have to leave... Jack Frost is a marvellous book. Kazuno Kohara's simple lino cut illustrations sit perfectly alongside the pared-down story and the sparse winter landscapes. Every word is spot on, every bobble hat, snowflake or twig deserves its place on the page. It's a minimalist story, but it really captures the mood of winter. It's chilly, yet emotionally warming. Such is the quality of Jack Frost that it's ideal for those children just discovering books, right up to those learning to read for themselves. It's simple enough for the very young ones to understand perfectly - and they're the ones who'll enjoy it most. However, the older ones will be able to let their imaginations run wild and picture themselves gambolling in the snow. (It's not quite as evocative as Almanzo on his sledge in Farmer Boy, but then what is?)