When Sylvie wakes up suddenly in the night to confront a strange being in her room, she is frightened at first, but the 'being' seems to be even more so because she shouldn't be able to see him, and she obviously can. He is a beginning snow angel, her very own Snow Angel because he came to life last winter when she made him in the snow. He is a very beautiful personage, and soon they are chatting happily. He is a sort of guardian angel, who will come to her only when there is real danger, and because he's only a beginner, he hasn't got all the details quite right yet. However, one thing he does know is that she is in danger at the moment, and he has come to save her. No way, says Sylvie; she thinks she feels fine, but the Snow Angel knows otherwise and goes to wake up her mother. It is lucky he has done so as Sylvie is really very ill and must spend over a year in hospital and in bed. We never know what the problem is, but Sylvie is quite sure he has saved her life. After this experience, she tries hard to bring the Snow Angel back, but because her dangers aren't real, he doesn't come. When she is in proper danger in the sea and and on her bicycle, he does arrive, but takes a different form as waves and wind, and she is saved again. All this makes her realise that he is very important in her life and to wonder if members of her family have ever made snow angels, and therefore will be safe when in danger as well. When she asks each one, they don't really understand what she is on about, so, once again, she summons her angel, and they talk about the problem. She comes up with the answer by asking him to cause a snowstorm so she can make sure her extended family all go out and make snow angels to ensure their safety. This rather fey, but unusual fantasy is full of the most wonderful pictures- of the beautiful Snow Angel - of the night sky - of Sylvie and her family and of the world around them. The text is lovely too, and altogether it makes a stunning, long picture book that older children will enjoy, and it may even help them to accept a serious illness a little easier.