The Amazing Snowman Duel

Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5

Children - Picture Book
50 Pages
Reviewed on 01/09/2017
Buy on Amazon

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Free Book Program, which is open to all readers and is completely free. The author will provide you with a free copy of their book in exchange for an honest review. You and the author will discuss what sites you will post your review to and what kind of copy of the book you would like to receive (eBook, PDF, Word, paperback, etc.). To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Review Exchange Program, which is open to all authors and is completely free. Simply put, you agree to provide an honest review an author's book in exchange for the author doing the same for you. What sites your reviews are posted on (B&N, Amazon, etc.) and whether you send digital (eBook, PDF, Word, etc.) or hard copies of your books to each other for review is up to you. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email, and be sure to describe your book or include a link to your Readers' Favorite review page or Amazon page.

This author participates in the Readers' Favorite Book Donation Program, which was created to help nonprofit and charitable organizations (schools, libraries, convalescent homes, soldier donation programs, etc.) by providing them with free books and to help authors garner more exposure for their work. This author is willing to donate free copies of their book in exchange for reviews (if circumstances allow) and the knowledge that their book is being read and enjoyed. To begin, click the purple email icon to send this author a private email. Be sure to tell the author who you are, what organization you are with, how many books you need, how they will be used, and the number of reviews, if any, you would be able to provide.

Author Biography

Yossi Lapid was born with a tooth in Transylvania, Romania! But this is not the only reason why he decided to write children's books in his retirement. After a long and successful career as a university professor, Lapid decided that it was time to again see the world through the innocent and hopeful eyes of a young child. Lapid writes children's books to remind us of the importance of childhood as an indispensable launchpad into a happy adulthood and to encourage children to pursue big dreams and believe that they will eventually happen.

Yossi Lapid is the author of the best-selling and awards-winning Snowman Paul picture-book series. Lapid has three adult children and he lives with his wife Susan in New Mexico.

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jack Magnus for Readers' Favorite

The Amazing Snowman Duel: Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5 is a children's picture book written by Yossi Lapid and illustrated by Joanna Pasek. There's a new snowman in town, and he means trouble. Bill was pretty proud to show off his new friend, Snowman Nick, to Paul and his friends. Nick was much bigger than Paul and muscular as well, plus he had a stick. Bill cheerily announced that Nick was challenging Paul to a duel that night, while his giant snowman posed menacingly behind him. Surprisingly, Paul didn't seem all that worried about the challenge or that evening's battle. And when Bill taunted them about not backing out, Paul assured him that the bout would take place, but under Snowman Land rules, which did make Nick pause and think a bit. Everyone knew about the midnight bout; there was even a plane flying a banner to announce it. There in the snowy clearing, a boxing ring was all laid out, and Nick was there at midnight, looking ferocious, armed and ready -- but where was Snowman Paul and could he really survive this fight?

Yossi Lapid's children's picture book, The Amazing Snowman Duel: Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5, blends action and atmosphere as the tension mounts before Snowman Paul’s bout with Snowman Nick. Challenges are something all children run into at some point or other, either in the schoolyard or during playtime, and Lapid's Snowman Paul's response to Nick defuses the situation beautifully. The author and illustrator, Joanna Pasek, have created an exciting, action-packed story that works so very well. Pasek's watercolors are masterful. She imparts depth, atmosphere, and a sense of wonder in each winter-themed panel. You can feel the frosty air, sense the weak sun as it tries to warm the snowy hillsides, and watch as the day passes and the shadows lengthen into the nighttime setting for the duel. The facial expressions on her people, snowmen, and the animals who arrive for the duel are spot on. Prepare to spend some time with this book; the story addresses an issue that really matters to kids, and each picture is a delight to peruse and immersed yourself in. The Amazing Snowman Duel: Snowman Paul Book Series, Volume 5 is most highly recommended.

Patricia Reding

Snowman Paul is back in The Amazing Snowman Duel by Yossi Lapid. The story is set in the snowy land in which Dan lives with his fun-loving and amiable snowman friend, Paul. But when Dan’s neighbor, Bill, gets Nick, a snowman of his own, things turn interesting. Nick looks ferocious; his face is grim and his stance is firm, as though he’s about to enter into a battle. When Bill and Nick challenge Paul to a duel, Paul pulls out “Rules for Duels in Snowman Land,” then sets off to prepare himself for the midnight match. All the animals come from far and wide, by land, sea, and air. When Paul finally shows up for the event without a helmet or a stick, everyone is in for a surprise, for it seems that the rules for duels in Snowman Land keep everyone from harm.

The illustrations for The Amazing Snowman Duel are themselves nothing short of amazing. They are vivid and colorful. Joanna Pasek has captured the various personalities in the faces of the children, the snowmen, and their animal friends. Indeed, on seeing Nick, one gets the impression that he is a mean spirited creature and therein lies one of the lessons in this tale. That is - things are not always as they appear, and thus you cannot judge someone’s behavior by their looks. Yossi Lapid’s tale further teaches that competition is good, but that harming someone in the process of pursuing a goal is not. If you are looking for a quick and easy read for little ones, pick up a copy of The Amazing Snowman Duel.

Emily-Jane Hills Orford

Good friends are sometimes difficult to deal with. Especially when one friend decides he or she wants to dominate the relationship and prove that he or she is better than everyone else. Bill is that kind of a friend. He is always trying something new to show that he’s the best. So, when he decides that his snowman, Nick, is the strongest and the toughest because Nick has a stick, a challenge is issued to Snowman Paul to meet Snowman Nick at midnight for a duel. Snowman Paul agrees to the duel, but only if they follow the rules from the very important book, “Rules for Duels in Snowman Land.” It’s quite a big deal to have a Snowman Duel, and word spreads fast. Snowman Paul isn’t worried, even when Snowman Nick arrives with a helmet, armor, and a stick. How can Snowman Paul possible defeat such an armored opponent?

Friendships are hard, but if everyone plays fair and treats the other friend with respect, than friends can have a long and beneficial relationship. Friends are meant to be together in good times and in bad times. Snowman Paul’s message is to play fair and then you’ll always have good friends. Yossi Lapid’s colorful picture book story, The Amazing Snowman Duel, is another charming addition to his snowman series. Like his other books in the series, this one tells a story with characters that are good role models for young readers. Snowman Paul certainly has a lot of lessons to teach his young friends as well as his many young readers. Play fair and life can be fun; friends can be fun.