The Quiet Music of Gently Falling Snow

The Quiet Music of Gently Falling Snow collects thirteen interconnected tales accompanied by watercolor illustrations. The stories originated from a series of Christmas cards Morris created for Help Musicians UK over 20 years. Each narrative follows musicians, performers, and creatures as they journey through winter landscapes and magical realms. Music serves as both the foundation and the thread that connects the individual stories. Morris's paintings feature rich detail and layered meanings, depicting scenes of musical instruments, wild animals, and human figures in snow-covered settings. The text and artwork combine to create an experience that bridges picture book and fine art collection. The book explores themes of connection between humans and nature, the transformative power of art, and the ways music can transcend barriers. It stands as a meditation on creativity and the persistence of wonder in both ordinary and extraordinary moments.

Readers praise the artwork and illustrations as the highlight, with many describing the detailed watercolor paintings as "dreamlike" and "enchanting." Multiple reviews note the book works well as both a children's storybook and an art collection for adults. The accompanying stories receive more mixed feedback. Some readers found them too abstract or disconnected, while others appreciated how they link the artwork together. Several reviews mention the stories require multiple readings to fully grasp. What readers liked: - Intricate watercolor illustrations - Quality paper and printing - Works for both children and adults - Builds an imaginative atmosphere What readers disliked: - Stories can be confusing or unclear - Text sometimes feels secondary to art - Price point is high for some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (200+ ratings) Amazon UK: 4.7/5 (180+ ratings) Amazon US: 4.6/5 (50+ ratings) Common review comment: "The illustrations alone make this book worth owning."

East of the Sun, West of the Moon by P.J. Lynch The retelling of a Nordic folktale pairs luminous watercolor paintings with a narrative of love, adventure, and transformation.

The Wild Swans by Jackie Morris Traditional folklore meets original illustrations in a story that follows a princess's quest to save her brothers from a curse.

The Lost Words by Robert Macfarlane, Jackie Morris Words and paintings interweave to capture the essence of nature through spells, poems, and illustrations.

The Snow Queen by Hans Christian Andersen This edition of the classic tale features detailed period illustrations that mirror the story's winter landscapes and magical elements.

The House of Lost and Found by Martin Widmark A story of growth and renewal unfolds through detailed botanical illustrations and a narrative about finding hope.

🎨 The book originated from a series of Christmas cards Jackie Morris created for Help Musicians UK over 14 years 🎵 Each illustration in the book tells its own musical story, featuring instruments, performers, and magical creatures woven together 📚 The narrative was written after the artwork was completed, with Morris crafting tales to connect and explain her existing illustrations 🎭 The book combines elements of folklore, fairy tales, and magical realism with themes of music and winter 🏆 Jackie Morris is also known for collaborating with Robert Macfarlane on "The Lost Words," which won the Kate Greenaway Medal for illustration in 2019