Saturday, December 5, 2015

Saturday Suggestion: SnowMan - First the Song and Now A Novel.

How many times have you sung the song "Frosty the Snowman" or made a snow person?

I think I loved this snowman as much as my daughter did!

Have you ever thought about how snowmen and the song originated? I really hadn't - but my friend Diane Stringam Tolley has. A lot.

Diane has written several books, and I finally had time to read one of them during my Thanksgiving travels. I have always loved snowmen, so naturally I chose SnowMan as the first of her books to read. It is a fairly short story - only 134 pages, but I am still thinking about it a week after I finished it. It made me both smile and cry, and I will never build another snowman without remembering Diane's inspiring story. Diane's engaging writing style and her account of the life of John Benjamin Frosst will transport you to a snowy winter decades ago, and leave you with a warm feeling. I highly recommend you treat yourself and read this book.

SnowMan is available in both paperback and Kindle format. You can learn more about it or even purchase it, just by clicking here. (As always, if you do make a purchase after visiting Amazon from one of my links, I will receive a small commission, but the price you pay will not be affected.)



Diane also writes the blog Across the Border where she tells fascinating stories of growing up on a ranch in Southern Alberta. I am keeping this post short today, so you have time to read some of her words instead of mine!

What sort of things have you used to build a snowman?
Have you ever given one an old silk hat, a corncob pipe, a button nose, and two eyes made out of coal?

12 comments :

  1. I recently read another of her stories that touched me like that. I'll be sure to check this one out too! Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane is a wonderful author, and I will never see another snowman without thinking of her story! I think I need an editor - I just noticed that I spelled Saturday wrong in the title of this post. Ack! I corrected it just now, but not sure if Google will like that edit very well.

      Delete
  2. I don't have any of Diane's books :( cost is reasonable, but when shipping to Australia is added plus the exchange rate, it's just too much. I'll wait for the kindle version.
    I've never made a snowman in my life, but I did once scrape a bowl of frost out of the freezer and let the kids make tiny "snow"men with that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How very creative to manufacture your own snow for snowmen River! The Kindle version of Diane's book is available on Amazon - you should be able to find it from my link :)

      Delete
  3. Diane's writing is wonderful. Evocative and full of heart.
    I have made a snow-woman. She even features on my blog (as the Great Australian Snow-Slut). Many, many years ago now, but the memories still make me smile.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I remember seeing your snow-woman on your blog (snow-womyn as my daughter suggests it should be written!) - and I admire your creativity!

      Delete
  4. Susan, Thank you so much for this! I can't tell you how thrilled I am that you enjoyed my book! You've absolutely made my day!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Diane. I have been mostly offline (decorating and doing holiday things) since I scheduled this post, so I am very happy that you saw it and like it. I will be making a better effort to share it on my social media channels, and I just put an Amazon ad in my sidebar for your book. I truly did love it, and I hope others take the opportunity as well. You have such a gift for story-telling, and I am always inspired by you!

      Delete
  5. I love Diane's blog, and can't wait to read her books. Maybe I'll start with this one too!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Oh I love Diane's blog too! I'll check out her book. Thanks for the tip, Susan. I shall never forget my trip to New Zealand years ago with several Australians. None of them had ever seen snow so when we hit some on the South Island my fellow Canadian and I schooled them in the art of snowmen creation. It was a hoot. I shall have to look for the photos. I do hope we get some snow this winter ... got all my crossibles crossed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you need snow ... we have plenty right now! And how fun that must have been, to share the art of snowperson making, on another continent!

      Delete

If you enjoyed this post, I would love it if you share it on your social media sites and with your friends!