Brown Girl in the Snow - Hardcover

by Yolanda T. Marshall (Author), Marianne Ferrer (Illustrator)

A Globe & Mail Best Book of the Year 2025

A CBC Best Book of the Year 2025

A 2026 Pedro and Daniel Intersectionality Book Awards Commended Book

A 2026 Notable Social Studies Trade Books Award Winner

Perfect for kids aged 4-8 comes a stunning picture book about persistence, being creative in the garden, and adapting to a new place.

When Amina moves from the Caribbean to a new snowy home, she misses growing her favorite foods. There are no coconut trees to climb, no gardens full of sweet potatoes and callaloo--only ice and snow. As Amina looks out her frosted window, she sings a traditional children's song from back home, adding her own twist: "There's a brown girl in the snow, tra la la la la, where none of her plants will grow."

Determined to find a way to make her favorite plants grow in a new climate, she comes across a possible solution after discovering a library book about gardening and greenhouses. Perhaps there is a way to grow sweet potatoes, after all!

This stunning picture book written by a Guyanese-born author features:

• An introduction to gardening and greenhouses
• A note from the author about the inspiration behind the story

With gorgeous images by Marianne Ferrer, and moving text by Yolanda T. Marshall, Brown Girl in the Snow is inspired by a traditional Caribbean children's song and captures a child's unwavering persistence and passion, as she grows into her new home.

Author Biography

Yolanda T. Marshall is a Guyanese-born Canadian author. A world traveler, jazz lover, and devoted mother, she embodies art and takes her readers on adventurous, cultured journeys. She lives in Toronto with her family.

Marianne Ferrer was born in Venezuela and moved to Canada as a child with her family, trading forests of mango trees for the oaks and maples that inspire her beautiful, nature-filled watercolor illustrations. She currently lives in Montreal, Quebec, with her husband.