The Snowman

Ideal for the weeks leading up to Christmas.

The night the first snow falls a young boy wakes to find his mother gone. He walks through the silent house, but finds only wet footprints on the stairs. In the garden looms a solitary figure: a snowman bathed in cold moonlight, its black eyes glaring up at the bedroom windows. Round its neck is his mother's pink scarf.

Lists everything that one needs to build the perfect snowman, from the very first snowflake that falls.

When Frosty the Snowman was introduced in 1950 in a recording by Gene Autry, it became an instant hit. Since then, its popularity has only grown, making Frosty one of the most recognized and beloved characters ever created. This padded board book edition features the lyrics of the classic song, allowing children to follow along as Frosty comes to life and joyfully marches throughout town. With illustrations from the iconic TV special, this addition to the Frosty brand is bound to become a holiday favorite.

Who made the first snowman? Who first came up with the idea of placing snowballs on top of each other, and who decided they would use a carrot for a nose? Most puzzling of all: How can this mystery ever be solved, with all the evidence long since melted? The snowman appears everywhere on practically everything -- from knickknacks to greeting cards to seasonal sweaters we plan to return. Whenever we see big snowballs our first impulse is to deck them out with a top hat. Humorist and writer Bob Eckstein has long been fascinated by this ubiquitous symbol of wintertime fun -- and finally, for the first time, one of the world's most popular icons gets his due. A thoroughly entertaining exploration, The History of the Snowman travels back in time to shed light on the snowman's enigmatic past -- from the present day, in which the snowman reigns as the King of Kitsch, to the Dark Ages, with the creation of the very first snowman. Eckstein's curiosity began playfully enough, but soon snowballed into a (mostly) earnest quest of chasing Frosty around the world, into museums and libraries, and seeking out the advice of leading historians and scholars. The result is a riveting history that reaches back through centuries and across cultures -- sweeping from fifteenth-century Italian snowballs to eighteenth-century Russian ice sculptures to the regrettable "white-trash years" (1975-2000). The snowman is not just part of our childhood memories, but is an integral part of our world culture, appearing -- much like a frozen Forrest Gump -- alongside dignitaries and celebrities during momentous events. Again and again, the snowman pops up in rare prints, paintings, early movies, advertising and, over the past century, in every art form imaginable. And the jolly snowman -- ostensibly as pure as the driven snow -- also harbors a dark past full of political intrigue, sex, and violence. With more than two hundred illustrations and a special section of the best snowman cartoons, The History of the Snowman is a truly original winter classic -- smart, surprisingly enlightening, and quite simply the coolest book ever.

A thoroughly entertaining exploration, this book travels back in time to shed light on the snowman's enigmatic past -- from the present day, in which the snowman reigns as the King of Kitsch, to the Dark Ages, with the creation of the very first snowman. Eckstein's curiosity began playfully enough, but soon snowballed into a (mostly) earnest quest of chasing Frosty around the world, into museums and libraries, and seeking out the advice of leading historians and scholars. The result is a riveting history that reaches back through centuries and across cultures -- sweeping from fifteenth-century Italian snowballs to eighteenth-century Russian ice sculptures to the regrettable "white-trash years" (1975-2000). The snowman is not just part of our childhood memories, but is an integral part of our world culture, appearing -- much like a frozen Forrest Gump -- alongside dignitaries and celebrities during momentous events. Again and again, the snowman pops up in rare prints, paintings, early movies, advertising and, over the past century, in every art form imaginable. And the jolly snowman -- ostensibly as pure as the driven snow -- also harbors a dark past full of political intrigue, sex, and violence. With over two hundred illustrations, The Illustrated History of the Snowman is a truly original winter classic -- smart, surprisingly enlightening, and quite simply the coolest book ever.

Having been fired from his job and now ensnared in ethical misconduct, Dr. Joseph Doyle, a former high school hockey player, wants a chance to rebuild his career in clinical psychology. But opportunities are few and far between for psychologists on professional probation. When Art Bowen offers Joe a job as Dakota Citys lone therapist, Joe is back on the ice. Or so he thinks. What Joe doesnt know is that he will be in a face off against an oversized fiberglass snowman. While it may sound strange for a psychologist to be in competition with a snowman, this is no ordinary snowman. Snowman, as he is affectionately called, has personal charisma, and unlike Joe, he knows how to beat the stigma that stands between people and mental health services in this small town.

If you're looking to confidently manage your money, The Snowman's Guide to Personal Finance is an excellent choice. Whether you're just starting out or you already have a financial plan, this book will provide actionable ways to improve your current situation. You'll also be able to revisit topics in the future as your life evolves. My goal is to help you spend your money stress-free and enjoy your life today. All while ensuring you can continue your lifestyle in the future. We'll cover actionable steps to: Save money for the future - Automate your savings plan - Rethink your expenses - Repay debt Put your savings to work - Manage your risk - Understand how to invest your savings - Lower your taxes Protect yourself from the unexpected - Set aside money for emergencies - Understand your insurance needs - Know when to write a will