The Curlytops Snowed In

In Short

First published in 1918, Howard R. Garis’s episodic juvenile novel follows the enthusiastic Martin siblings—curly-haired Theodore and Janet—as they embrace the arrival of an unseasonably early winter. Anticipating a predicted blizzard, the children spend their days coasting down local hills, constructing ambitious snow structures, and attempting to train their pet goat for icy terrain. The narrative builds to the arrival of visiting relatives and a massive snowstorm that buries their home, forcing the family to tunnel through massive drifts. The book endures for its warm depiction of childhood resourcefulness and domestic comfort.

The Story

The story opens as Theodore and Janet Martin—affectionately called Ted and Jan, or the Curlytops—notice the season's first snow falling outside their window. Excited by the forecast of a severe winter predicted by a local hermit, the children immediately prepare their sleds. Their mother, Mrs. Martin, encourages them to enjoy the outdoors while keeping an eye on their younger brother, William, nicknamed Trouble for his knack for getting into small mishaps. Ted and Jan spend their initial days clearing coasting tracks on nearby hills, though Ted briefly loses control of his sled and steers into a bank to avoid an accident.

When cold weather freezes the nearby pond, the children attempt to adapt their pet goat, Nicknack, to the conditions. Ted crafts improvised rubber footwear out of an old boot to keep the goat from slipping. Upon reaching the pond, Nicknack catches sight of his own reflection in the clear ice and startles, charging blindly into a snow house built by their friends Tom and Lola.

Undeterred by minor setbacks, the children continue their outdoor play by building a giant snow man, complete with coal features. The neighborhood activities are briefly interrupted by domestic incidents, such as Trouble sneaking a miniature snow man into Jan's bed, and the arrival of a hungry one-legged tramp whom the boys feed with bread and jam. Meanwhile, a local mystery unfolds when a pocketbook is stolen at Mr. Martin's store, and a frightened, unidentified lame boy rings the family's doorbell before fleeing into the cold.

As Thanksgiving approaches, the family receives a sudden night visit from Aunt Jo and Uncle Frank, who arrive just as a heavy blizzard sets in. Uncle Frank entertains the household with stories of western life and assists the children in constructing an elaborate snow bungalow. The storm quickly escalates into a fierce, multi-day blizzard, leaving the Martin household entirely snowed in. Deep drifts cover the first-floor windows, blocking access to the barn where the horse, cow, and goat are kept.

Realizing they cannot shovel an open path against the driving wind, Mr. Martin and Uncle Frank initiate a plan to dig a covered snow tunnel from the front of the house to the outbuildings, hauling out basketfuls of packed snow. During the digging, Nicknack temporarily goes missing, causing concern among the children. However, the goat manages to navigate the snowdrifts on his own and arrives at the back door carrying a tied note around his neck, revealing a message from someone trapped in the nearby snow bungalow. The family works together to clear the remaining drifts, restore full access to their property, and celebrate their safety inside their warm home.

How It Unfolds

The first snowfall arrives Ted and Jan watch big flakes fall outside their window and eagerly prepare their rusty sleds for the coasting hill. Mrs. Martin cautions them to stay on the smaller slope and take their toddler brother along for a short ride.

Nicknack braves the ice Determined to pull their sled across the frozen pond, Ted ties squares of boot rubber to Nicknack's hoofs. The goat catches sight of his reflection in a clear pane of ice and charges forward, crashing through the wall of a nearby snow house.

Building the giant snow man The boys roll massive snowballs across the yard to fashion a tall snow figure with carved legs. Ted retrieves coal from the cellar to create eyes and two rows of coat buttons, while Trouble causes a mix-up at bedtime.

A tramp and a missing purse Ted and Tom share their snack with a hungry one-legged man, who carves wooden toys to thank them. Meanwhile, Mr. Martin reports a stolen pocketbook at his shop, and a mysterious lame boy runs away after ringing the Martin family's doorbell.

Holiday guests arrive in a storm Aunt Jo and Uncle Frank arrive unannounced on the eve of Thanksgiving just as a severe blizzard begins. Uncle Frank keeps the children entertained with western stories and helps them plan a large snow bungalow.

Trapped by the blizzard The storm buries the lower level of the house, preventing Mr. Martin and Uncle Frank from reaching the livestock in the barn. The wind rapidly refills every open path they attempt to shovel through the deep drifts.

Digging the snow tunnel To reach the outbuildings, the men dig a structured tunnel straight through the largest snowbank, hauling out load after load in laundry baskets while the children watch from the cleared windows.

Nicknack returns with news After disappearing into the storm, Nicknack scrambles back to the kitchen door covered in snow. Tied to the goat's neck is a handwritten note from someone trapped inside the snow bungalow, leading to a successful resolution of the freeze.

The People

• Theodore "Ted" Martin wants to maximize every moment of winter play, whether coasting, skating, or building structures. He is hindered by rusty sled runners, icy surfaces, and the responsibilities of watching his younger brother, but he remains energetic and inventive throughout the severe weather.
• Janet "Jan" Martin seeks the same outdoor thrills as her brother, wanting high rubber boots to wade through deep drifts and fast skates for the pond. She often balances her desire for adventure with a protective care for her family and their animals.
• William "Trouble" Martin wants to be included in every activity despite his small size. His inquisitive nature leads him to wander off, place snow in beds, and crawl into empty suitcases, frequently requiring the family to pause their plans to search for him.
• Mr. Dick Martin aims to keep his household secure and supplied as the harsh winter closes in. Faced with impassable drifts that threaten his livestock, he shifts from routine shopkeeping to leading the effort to tunnel through the snow.
• Uncle Frank arrives offering practical experience from his life on a Montana ranch. He assists the family by providing storytelling, guidance on building snow structures, and physical labor during the blizzard.
• Nicknack is the family's patient pet goat who pulls sleds and navigates snowbanks, though his aversion to slippery ice and confusion over his own reflection occasionally create chaos.

In Its Own Voice

"You can't skate when there's snow on the pond," objected Jan. "Anyhow it hasn't frozen ice yet. Has it, Mother?"

Jan questions whether the weather is cold enough for winter sports after observing the initial snowfall from the house window.

"He stamped his feet, shook his head and bleated. He did not quite understand what was going on, but he made no special trouble and started off well when he had been hitched to the sled."

Nicknack reacts with confusion as the children tie rubber squares over his hoofs to give him traction on the ice.

"We dug a path part way to the barn, but the wind blew the snow in it, filling it up as fast as we could dig it out. I guess we can't get to the barn. We surely are snowed in!"

Mr. Martin returns to the entry exhausted after realizing that normal shoveling cannot keep up with the drifting blizzard.

What It's Really About

Beneath its sequence of winter pastimes, the narrative centers on how domestic warmth and family cooperation buffer against the isolation of harsh weather. The book contrasts the cozy security of the home—filled with hot meals, fireside stories, and shared labor—with the unpredictable forces of an extreme winter storm. It explores childhood independence within safe boundaries, illustrating how young children process minor hazards, learn responsibility toward pets and siblings, and find wonder in environmental disruptions. The plot emphasizes resourcefulness over panic, treating the prospect of being snowed in not as a disaster, but as a challenge to be met with creative problem-solving and collective work.

Why Read It Today

This volume appeals to readers interested in vintage children's literature, early twentieth-century domestic fiction, or nostalgic winter tales. The narrative carries a gentle, unhurried rhythm that highlights simple outdoor pleasures—coasting, building snow forts, and caring for farm animals—free from modern technology. Reading it feels like stepping into a peaceful, snowbound world where small neighborhood events carry real excitement.

Modern readers should note that the text reflects the straightforward, highly repetitive phrasing characteristic of early series fiction designed for young learners. The dialogue contains mild period mannerisms and phonetic baby talk used for the youngest child, which may feel slightly dated today. Additionally, the plot relies on episodic coincidences rather than a tightly wound central conflict. Nevertheless, its portrayal of sibling camaraderie, cheerful resilience during an emergency, and the cozy atmosphere of a traditional winter storm gives the story an enduring, wholesome charm.