A beautiful rhyming Christmas mystery, 30 years in the making.
Santa’s red hat has suspiciously disappeared on a cold Christmas Eve. Will he find it in time to save Christmas? And who would have done such a dastardly thing?
Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma is a playful rhyming mystery by Canadian author Ian R. White, brought to life with Sarah Cowan’s colourful, hand-drawn illustrations. Full of heart, humour, and a mischievous twist, it’s the perfect Christmas story for families to read aloud and enjoy together, year after year.
Before it was a book, Snowball was a story Ian told aloud, beside a cardboard fireplace at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, every Christmas from 2010 to 2017, to children too tired or too wired to sleep. Ian passed away on December 11, 2025, just weeks after seeing his dream of publishing it come true. This Christmas, his story belongs to your family.
Bring the Magic Home!
Deadline for Christmas Delivery is
Wednesday December 9th
Order your copy of Snowball — now printed locally in Toronto with premium softcover quality!
🎄 Orders ship directly from the Snowball team in Toronto
📬 Arrives in 2–5 business days (Canada only)
✍️ Signed by the editor on request (add note at checkout)
🚚 Flat-rate shipping: $6 in Canada | $15 US | $25 Intl
A heartwarming, rhyming Christmas mystery about Santa’s missing red hat — beautifully hand illustrated and crafted meticulously over 30 years.
Written by Toronto author Ian White, illustrated by Sarah Cowan and edited by Ian’s best friend’s son Tim Gentle, this Canadian-made story is sure to bring warmth, laughter, and a touch of magic to your family’s Christmas Eve and for many Christmas Eves to come.
8.5 × 11" softcover
38 pages
Full-colour illustrations throughout
Printed in Toronto, Canada
For ages 4–9 (and the young-at-heart)
ISBN 979-8-3445-7293-2
💬 Order by Dec 9 for Christmas delivery (Canada only).
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A new Canadian holiday classic for families, 30 years in the making…
A rhyming Christmas mystery about Santa’s famous red hat going suspiciously missing on Christmas Eve.
Written masterfully by Ian White, and brought to life with beautifully hand drawn coloured pencil illustrations by BC artist Sarah Cowan.
Edited and Published by Ian’s best friend’s son, Tim Gentle.
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Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma is proud to partner again with Doug Miller Books 650 Bloor Street West (Near Euclid)
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one of 20 remaining copies hand-signed by author Ian White
Link to the Snowball Audiobook (2018)
Fuzzy Red Santa Hat
3 5×7 illustration prints
Colouring pages and pencil crayons
Festive DIY gift wrap
other festive surprises
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Flat-rate shipping:
Canada $6 (Gift Bundle: $9)
US $15 (Gift Bundle: $18)
UK/Intl $25 (Gift Bundle: $30)
Ships in 2–4 days from Toronto
Deadline for Christmas delivery is Wednesday December 9th
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All copies signed by editor Tim Gentle upon request
Contact us for:
Bulk orders
Readings
Custom gifts
A one-of-a-kind holiday keepsake!
Celebrate the holidays with this exclusive Limited Edition Snowball Gift Bundle — only 14 of 20 remain, lovingly prepared in Toronto.
Each bundle is packed with festive surprises and makes the perfect ready-to-gift present for kids, families, classrooms, and anyone who loves Christmas stories.
What’s Inside:
1 of 20 rare author signed copy of Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma
Exclusive 2018 Audiobook
1 fuzzy red Santa hat 🎅
3 5×7″ hand-illustrated art prints by Sarah Cowan
Snowball colouring pages + pencil crayons
Festive wrapping paper & “To/From” gift tag (For DIY wrap)
Additional festive surprises inside!
📦 Shipping from Toronto:
Flat rate $9 Canada / $18 US / $30 Intl
🎄 Order by Dec 9 for delivery before Christmas (Canada only)
✨ Quantities are limited. Don’t miss out!
DOWNLOAD THE AUDIOBOOK
Hear Ian read Snowball in his own voice: 16 minutes of rhyme and mischief, perfect for bedtimes and car rides.
Download at Checkout: $4.99
Peek Inside!
Gather ‘Round and Listen
Take a moment to listen to a short excerpt from the audiobook of Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma.
Hear the rhythm, the rhymes, and the playful mischief that make this holiday tale a delight for children and adults alike. Perfect for cozying up with a blanket, a cup of cocoa, and a little Christmas magic.
Behind the Book
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Author: Ian R. White
Ian White grew up in East London in the 1930s, developing a lifelong love for words, jokes, and storytelling. After immigrating to Canada, he spent more than 40 years at The Globe and Mail. Known for his quick wit, generous spirit, and Santa-like warmth, Ian has delighted children and families for decades with his rhyming tales.
Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma, is the result of more than three decades of careful crafting. For many years, Ian shared it live at Toronto’s Hospital for Sick Children, creating a beloved holiday tradition.
Ian passed away December 11th, 2025, just weeks after having realized his dream of publishing his story.
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Illustrator: Sarah Cowan
An illustrator based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Sarah has been fascinated by children's literature and illustrations since her own childhood. Before she learned to read on her own, she would spend hours looking at the pictures in books, and make up stories that she thought would fit.
Her goal as an artist is to create illustrations that will make children love to read. She hopes that she can help young readers and artists unlock their imaginations in the same way that she was able to, thanks to artists such as Jan Brett, H.E. Stewart, and Michael Martchenko.
Sarah's preferred medium is coloured pencils, which were used exclusively for Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma.
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Editor: Tim Gentle
Ian White was my father’s best friend for more than sixty years. To me, he was larger than life - the fun uncle who always arrived with a new joke, a magic trick, OR the latest version of a rhyming Christmas story he’d been working on.
Over thirty years, Ian crafted every line with care — refining the rhythm, honing the wordplay, and honouring the timeless art of storytelling.
Bringing this story to life on the page has been a profoundly meaningful journey for me, and I am beyond grateful that Ian’s creation, now has a new life — in the hands and hearts of a new generation of families this Christmas, and hopefully, for many Christmases to come.
Get in touch.
Ask a question, leave a review, or arrange a reading, bulk order, or media inquiry? Or just say hello We’d love to hear from you!
Whether you’re a parent, teacher, bookstore, journalist, or just someone who loves a good Christmas mystery, feel free to reach out, the Snowball team are happy to help.
Merry Christmas!
Team Snowball