A Heart Closed by Worry and Fear in a New Environment

This story portrays the lonely daily life of a child who has firmly closed their heart, unable to adjust to a new school. The fear of being an outsider who doesn't know how to reach out is delicately illustrated through the setting of "not being able to hear." However, as a snowman the child mindlessly built on the way to school begins to change through someone else's touch, the child discovers the constant, tender "love" that has been knocking on their door all along. Through the wondrous moment when the walls of strangeness crumble and two worlds finally connect, this picture book beautifully conveys the meaning of relationships, courage, and love.