In 50 words for snow, we explore the meaning behind 50 different snow-related words. We found out a bit of history about all sorts of topics from avalanches to a legend of a snow woman.
I really enjoyed this non-fiction read. The chapters were short which meant it was easy to pick up when I had a few minutes here and there. Clearly well researched and what I loved was I found myself looking up some of the words for further information as I found the certain chapters really interesting.

Enjoyed exploring the different words for (different kinds of) snow around the globe through Campbell's anecdotes and brief dives into historical references relative to the words.

Thank you to NetGalley, Nancy Campbell and Elliot & Thompson for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the digital review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.


This is a wonderful medley of writings; of myths and legends, and across time and region; of fantastical folklore and fascinating facts; and of the sweetest stories and the harshest truths. A succinct yet somehow satisfyingly complete single paragraph accompanies some of the fifty words while others tell longer stories or talk about climate related topics with a little more detail.

Campbell provides readers a captivating peek into cultures and languages around the world through these stories connected by snow.

A book that is perfect to dip into anytime you feel like it; and made even more perfect with a cup of hot cocoa (no matter the weather!)

As for me, I am thrilled I learned so many cool facts, discovered languages I hadn’t heard of before, indulged in delightful stories from around the world, and will be able to read it all over again!

really enjoyed reading this short book. I loved how not only do you learn about snow but also a cultural history of the places mentioned in this book. I loved learning about the different words for snow and what it means to different people around the world. I could of read this book for much longer and was gutted when it was over. I thought the book was very well wrote and it flowed so well. What I loved the most about this book was the different styles and types of sources used to explain it all. This very unique approach made it so enjoyable. It was obvious that this book was well researched. Its definitely a fantastic book to read in winter and I definitely recommend giving this book a go.

Many thanks to the author and publishers for bringing together this gorgeous collection of short insights into snow and culture. I will definitely be looking out for more books by this fantastic author. 

The above review has already been placed on goodreads, waterstones, Google books, Barnes&noble, kobo, amazon UK where found and my blog today https://ladyreading365.wixsite.com/website/post/fifty-words-for-snow-by-nancy-campbell-elliot-thompson-4-stars either under my name or ladyreading365

It’s truly a beautiful collection of writing based on 50 different words for snow around the world. I love the way the author uses each of these entries as almost a personal narrative, recounting on something important in her life or some thing that she can recall in her memory. This is one of those books he will want to read and winter as the setting would make it very perfect. Absolutely stunning!

A lovely little book that’s quite literally 50 words for snow. These each have the word, the culture and a little blurb relating with a back story

Such an intriguing book that included folk stories or little snippets along with each word that gave a bit more context around each country/nation and why/how they use that specific word for snow.

Delightful little book, exploring not just the actual words for snow in different languages, but also the myths, legends, folklore and literature about snow in those countries. Fifty fascinating facts from fifty different cultures.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC digital copy. I have not been compensated for my opinion and this is an honest review.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish reading this ARC digital copy before needing to switch to other books that were being archived. From the portion I read, this book is no longer on my Goodreads "want to read" list. I will update my review to reflect an updated opinion if I finish it at a later date..

Nancy Campbell takes the word of snow fifty times and shows the translation, meaning and definition in other regions and Countries chapter by chapter with some short and others long. Included is folklore, history, fairy tales, culinary, navigational & religious references.
What stood out was the theme of climate change and how it was affecting these different places.
I enjoyed this book and learnt a lot as it is full of fascinating information. It can be read all the way through or dipped in and out of.
A book I would recommend. My thanks go tooth author, publisher and Netgalley for providing this arc in return for honest review.

I thought the theme of this book was brilliant: snow, as part of the endless water cycle, touches almost every inhabitable part of the planet, irrespective of boundaries and borders, and the current global political environment. And it worked. As I read each of the well-researched chapters, for a brief moment, I felt a connection to that place, its landscapes, its cultures. I love how stories can dissolve disconnection. And Cambell is a skilled storyteller.

I particularly enjoyed the chapters that told snow tales in folklore. I loved the images Campbell created of an ancient Sami woman chipping rock art into a cave in Wales, and the mysterious ghost-figure of *Yoki-onna* that emerges from white-outs in the hills of Japan. I think if each chapter had more imagery like this, and less reportage, I would have been more emotionally pulled into the stories, and the book, as a whole, would have held more resonance. As it is, I found most of the researched information very interesting, but a bit dry. Perhaps I was expecting more vivid imagery and lyrical prose because of Campbell’s experience as an award-winning poet and essayist. Even though it was not quite what I was hoping for, I would still recommend it to others. The artwork accompanying each chapter is incredibly beautiful.

Absolutely adored this book! I don't have a lot to say about it except, I hope you read it!

It's a short non-fiction book that indeed collects 50 words for snow. Through these 50 little chapters (some as short as a page), we get a window into different cultures, folklore stories, history, and more. I loved learning about events in different parts of the world, about where words came from, what they meant for specific people and cultures. Absolutely beautiful!

I think it's a book I'd purchase to have as a coffee table book.

A fabulously well written little book that's easy to dip in and out of. Perfect for nature lovers or those who love to explore other cultures.
I think there was a wide variety of languages and cultures explored here, which is great for representation.
As a side note I also really appreciated the fact that the author included some stories based around sign language.

Perfect read to flip through during the dreary months, with some insightful and quite poetic observations.

This book was a tricky one, I got approved and it was archived the next day so I wasn't able to read the copy provided here. I've asked my friend to lend it to me in order to be able to review it.

Elliot & Thompson publishes some of my favourite nature and self discovery related books. This book is a very cute read for the winter nights with lots of interesting facts to learn about as well. It is one of those books you can radomly pick up and read for a bit before you head to bed or in while cooking/baking.
I'll most probably purchase my own copy later on so I can provide a proper review with photos as well.

4 stars

This is pretty much exactly what it says on the tin: fifty words for snow (or snow related things) in various languages. Overall, I did enjoy it and find it interesting, but there were several entries that seemed like a bit of a stretch or didn't have enough there there to be worth including (the Thai and Korean entries are probably the most obvious examples of this). There was also some stuff included that was just on the wrong side of too tangential for me, but I think any reader who's prepared to take the title at its' word will find something to enjoy here.

Writer and poet Nancy Campbell forages for stories of snow in different languages and cultural contexts. She traces its presence and shifting connotations across landscapes, in history, literature, art and folklore: from the supernatural Yuki-onna (snow woman) said to wander Japan’s snowiest regions to the Icelandic Hundslappadrifa (snowflakes big as a dog’s paw); the Tibetan snow lotus; Kardelen (Turkish snowdrops); and kavadagur (snow days) on the Faroe Islands. Campbell’s writing’s carefully sculpted, thoughtful and meditative but she doesn’t shy away from considering the scale of the transformations brought about by climate change, which gives this a slightly elegiac quality at times. With its mix of tantalising, miniature essays, and pieces approaching prose poetry, this is a highly engaging book, ideal for dipping into, and it made me keen to read more of Campbell’s work. Campbell's words are accompanied by a series of beautifully-realised illustrations taken from the work of American meteorologist and photographer Wilson Bentley, famous for his ground-breaking images of snowflakes.

Thanks to Netgalley and publishers Elliott and Thompson for an arc

I wanted to like this book, but I think it was bit above my conciousness. I had a hard time following along, or even detecting a message or theme outside of snow. I am sure this book will do great with it's intended audience though.

This book is an adequate substitution for a so far snowless London.

The idea of snow is inseparable from the season of winter, which was why this book came at such a perfect time. Fifty Words For Snow is a non-fiction book that goes into a deep dive of beautiful languages and the context in which different cultures live with snow. Arctic traveller and writer Nancy Campbell embarks on an exquisite exploration into the meanings behind 50 words about snow, all around the globe.

I was thoroughly enraptured by Campbell’s incorporation of myths, folklore and classic literature in this book. The way in which she draws connection to these stories and their cultural relevance is extremely fascinating. It is also great how clearly personal and affectionate the author is over the theme of snow. Her passion shone through her words, reflective and thoughtful. I enjoyed how every chapter is infused with sentiment - that it is not simply a 200 page info-dump that would have bored me to tears. There is real heart behind her writing and it really shines through.

I also was delightfully surprised by how smoothly Campbell managed to slip in commentary on the state of the world in this seemingly innocent book about words and snow. Her critique on global warming is graceful and ever-relevant, a fantastic addition to the structure of the book.

My only qualms is that I lost interest over the more science-y chapters, solely due to personal preference. Sometimes I forget how boring I find science to be, as a fiercely stubborn humanities student.

For anyone who fancies a quick read that would put you right in a wintery, sentimental mood, this book is tremendous for the chilly weather.

I thought this book was the cutest and well done little work. Each of the fifty words was a mini chapter filled with culture and story. I loved reading about different time periods and languages and cultures. Cold and hot all have a relationship with snow. It was a little trip around the world and I loved it.

If you are looking for a quick wintry read with fascinating insights on snow-related language and ecological issues, this is the book! Each bite-sized chapter delves into a snow-related word in a different language and is accompanied by a beautiful photo of a magnified snowflake by Wilson Bently (1865-1931), the first known photographer of snowflakes.

There’s such an assortment of interesting information, from folklore and creation myths to reindeer herding, igloo construction, avalanche prevention and the creation of artificial snow for films. Some chapters also introduced me to the incredible shapes and colours snow/ice can assume. For example, I didn’t know what suncups, watermelon snow and penitente snow formation were before I read this.

But this is so much more than just a collection of snowy trivia with beautiful images. It is a reminder of the mesmerising diversity of snow-related natural phenomena and human practices (and how language encapsulates them) that we are rapidly losing due to global warming.

Many chapters drew my attention to how climate change drastically affects communities across the globe. Too much or too little snow can both mean trouble. For example, the renowned apple orchards in Kashmir are often blighted by untimely snowfall in recent years, while the rapid melting of the Kilimanjaro glaciers in the tropics puts local populations in serious danger of drought in the future, since the glaciers are their only source of water.

Thank you @elliottandthompson for this thought-provoking read.