The Snowman Project by Headline Books / Zoom Into Books

“Angie encourages children to seek friends and be good friends to others. A sweet and positive message for young children building friendships.”

—Justin Davis, Former Representative of the

Gaston County Board of Education

“A beautiful reminder of how important our relationships are and that we must take time to enjoy the little things together.”

—Molly Mitchell Spearman, American educator, politician,

and South Carolina Superintendent of Education 2015-2023

“While I support technology as an educational tool; books are timeless, universal, and not easily replaced. As a retired educator, I have observed the crucial need for young children to learn how to build relationships. In this book, Angie has blended the art and joy of building a snowman with the art and joy of building friendships. She has created another promising tool for learning!”

—Mary Helen Allen, retired teacher/administrator “Angie Dixon delights readers, young and old, with creative ways to build relationships with friends near and far that celebrate the uniqueness of each individual through the simple act of building a snowman.”

—Sarah Koh, Director at Life Together Korea; Former Professor at 숭실대학교(Soongsil University) and Former ESL Program Coordinator at World Relief Corporation, Carol Stream, Illinois “God, our Maker, creates, fearfully forms and intimately knows every person before they are born. Each person is made with a unique purpose and an incomparable love. My precious sister and friend, Angie, reminds us through the beauty of a snowman how valuable we each are and how precious time truly is. We only receive the gift of today once. What we do with our time today matters for all of eternity. The Snowman Project creatively encourages readers of all ages to make the most of every opportunity, graciously welcome other image bearers into community, and generously offer love to those around them.”

—Courtney McKowen, Director of Community Outreach &

Orphan Care - First ARP Church Gastonia, NC

For the Kids—Visit TheSnowmanProject.org

WRITTEN BY

Angie Dixon

I L LU S T R AT E D B Y

Jan Philpot

For the Kids—Visit TheSnowmanProject.org

The Snowman Project by Angie Dixon illustrated by Jan Philpot copyright ©2024 Angie Dixon All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com

Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books

ISBN-13: 9781958914236 Library of Congress Control Number: 2023943646

P R I N T E D

I N

M E X I C O

This book is dedicated to Kim Taylor, who encouraged me to publish this story. Kim is a retired elementary teaching assistant who spent many years nurturing and helping young children thrive and be their best. Kim is a great example of friendship- the cheerleader, encourager, and caring type friend! Thank you, Kim, for giving me the push to share a message and create an avenue to help children.

Visit TheSnowmanProject.org 100% of the net profits for children, families, schools and communities.

This year, our family was finally able to get together in small numbers- just the four of us. Hunter was coming into town from Washington DC, Dad was not traveling for work, Tyler could take some time off, and so could Mom! Hurray!

I wanted this year to be special…filled with fun things we do together. So, I had an idea. I asked every person to write on a slip of paper things they wanted to do and place them in a jar. I called it “The Family Christmas Activity Jar.” 6

I announced, “This year, we are giving the ‘gift of time spent together!’” I realize now, more than ever, that TIME is the most precious gift you can give. So, each person began to think about an activity they wanted to place in the jar. 7

It could be a 30-minute activity like playing a card game.

OR…a couple-hour excursion like taking a bike ride.

Maybe a half day trip like a hike on Crowders Mountain.

Even perhaps an overnight trip like SNOW skiing!

But basically, the activity was very inexpensive or even FREE…except for your investment of time spent together. One of the items I put in the jar was to build a snowman together. Well, guess what? It never snowed! So, we did not build a “real” snowman until…I got another idea.

After Hunter returned to DC, it snowed! I said, “Oh! Please build a snowman and send me a picture.” And he did. It was so cute and made me smile.

It also snowed in North Carolina a little later, so I built a snowman and sent him a picture.

I then asked my friends on Facebook if they could send me pictures of snowmen they had built. Was I ever surprised!

One friend built a snowman from sand dollars because she lives at the beach where there is no snow. Another decorated snowman cookies.

You see, a snowman can be made of many unique items and each will look very different. Guess what else is like that—unique and different? FRIENDS!

A friend can be very different in looks, personality, interests, and even nationalities (where they live in the world or where they were born!) 19

But one thing is the same in both snowmen and friends…Everyone is unique, and everyone can put a smile on your face as long as you accept that it is okay to be unique and different from one another! THEN, it is easy to make friends (and snowmen!). Let’s explore!

A snowman is handcrafted and each one is different! Did you know you are handcrafted by God, and there is not another like you? That makes YOU as special as a snowman…well, maybe even more so! 21

Do you see what this snowman is wearing? Yes, bells! Have you ever had a friend who was there for you no matter what? An old saying is…” I will be there with bells on!” That means you will be there for your friend with excitement and at your best. A friend ready to help you any time with delight is as special as a snowman. Did you know God also likes seeing friends helping others with delight?

This snowman is little and his maker had to bend down to see him. Maybe you ride the bus with someone smaller than you. That is okay…some friends are smaller, but they are still just as special as a snowman.

What is missing from this snowman? Right! His smile. Maybe this snowman needs a friend to play with and help him find his smile. That friend might be you. The Bible says we are to build each other up. How can we encourage one another? How can we help each other smile?

Where is the snowman in this picture? Yes, way, way in the back. Some people are shy. What does shy mean? If someone is quiet, that is okay…they are still just as special as a snowman.

What is this snowman doing? Yes, lying down! Some friends may not be able to run the same way you do…but guess what? They are still just as special as a snowman. And look at this snowman. He was the first to learn how to read! Everyone is special… always remember it is okay to be YOU.

What color is this snowman wearing? Yes, light blue! Even his eyes are light blue! Do you know why? This snowman is a Carolina Basketball fan… so he wears their color to show support and cheer them on. Do you have any friends who like to cheer you on? Friends who want to see you win? A supportive friend is as special as a snowman.

Maybe the best snowman of all is the one we share! Should we share our friends too?

Yes, of course! That is the BEST feeling when we can share our friends.

Now, it is time for you to make a snowman and share it with a friend. And when you give the snowman to your friend, be sure to tell them you are as special as a snowman!

Snowman Craft Ideas:

Sock snowman Soup can snowman Construction paper snowman Flour and water snowman 31

This book is in Memory of my Mother, Vickie Braswell Ledford. She was a huge influence in my life. My mother had a love for creating snowman crafts but an even larger love for crafting friendships and she had MANY FRIENDS! I lost her on March 30, 2023, before the book was finished. She would have been so excited! Mom was an original, a wonderful example of how to care for others, and to all...as special as a snowman! She was first my mother, but forever my friend.

About the Author

Angie Dixon and her husband live in NC, where she serves her communities as a realtor. The Snowman Project story came to life following the 2020 Pandemic, when many people, especially children, became lonely due to the circumstances surrounding the crisis. Angie’s college-aged twin boys, Hunter and Tyler, were also affected, as well as friends and family members. As the restrictions began to shift, so did Angie’s perspective on how to spend time together, and a realignment of priorities started to form. Angie began to think of more meaningful ways to share family time, and thus to the birth of The Snowman Project. We all hope you enjoy sharing this story with others and sincerely appreciate your contribution to the betterment of families, children, and communities.

About the Illustrator

Illustrator Jan Philpot is a retired teacher and librarian. As a senior author for an educational publisher during her teaching years, she authored/illustrated fourteen teacher resource books. Most recently she illustrated the awardwinning Zen and Now (author Dreama Denver). She earned her BA, MA and RK1 from Eastern Kentucky University and is now a freelance independent artist living in southeast Kentucky.

“Angie encourages children to seek friends and be good friends to others. A sweet and positive message for young children building friendships.”

—Justin Davis, Former Representative of the

Gaston County Board of Education

“A beautiful reminder of how important our relationships are and that we must take time to enjoy the little things together.”

—Molly Mitchell Spearman, American educator, politician,

and South Carolina Superintendent of Education 2015-2023

—Courtney McKowen, Director of Community Outreach &

Orphan Care - First ARP Church Gastonia, NC

For the Kids—Visit TheSnowmanProject.org