“The Magic Snow Globe” by Veronica Taylor

• 05/30/2023
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The Magic Snow Globe

Veronica Taylor
Archway Publishing (2023)
978-1665729888
Reviewed by Leigh Kimberly Zoby for Reader Views (05/2023)

Moving to a new home can often be exciting, but when a magical snow globe is discovered, be prepared for an unforgettable adventure. In Veronica Taylor’s “The Magic Snow Globe”, The Parker family has just relocated to their new home in a geologically famous town called Rockville. With the children’s books, toys, and other electronic devices packed in a moving van miles away, the Parker children have become grumpy and bored. To make matters worse, a gloomy forecast of rain complicates the situation. The two children, Blaire and Jake, ask their parents to take them to the mall to look around and see the town of Rockville. While shopping, Jake discovers a snow globe with a candy theme. Once home, the mysterious snow globe begins to glow and vibrate, transporting Blaire and Jake to a world of cotton candy sidewalks, lollipop forests, and candy corn mountains. It is up to Blaire and Jake to traverse the candy-filled world and make it back home to the family. 

The debut book, “The Magic Snow Globe”, by teen author Veronica Taylor is an impressive first attempt to make a name for herself in the literary world of children’s chapter books. With age, experience, and exposure, I am confident the young Miss Taylor will become a notable storyteller who brings her characters to life with her wild imagination and page-turning adventures.

The storyline starts out strong, with the potential to become an entertaining adventure that will keep even the most distracted reader on the edge of their seats. The excitement fades by chapter 7 though, and it felt a bit like I was reading a story based on the Candyland board game rather than Ice Pop City. The female main character Blaire was challenging to build a relationship with, often coming across as a brat who constantly complained about everything.

The writing style is geared toward the young reader of approximately the second or third-grade level. Older children might find the sentences lacking an even flow. There were numerous opportunities to add depth to the story. I wished the emphasis on mood, setting, and sense of wonder had been stronger. When reading “The Magic Snow Globe” to my grandchildren, ages 3 and 7, they enjoyed the idea of a world full of candy but became less interested as the story progressed.

Overall, “The Magic Snow Globe” is a good debut for a young author. It is certainly a cute story that has the potential to become an adventure-filled chapter book.