{"id":120268,"date":"2025-12-12T16:39:40","date_gmt":"2025-12-12T21:39:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=120268"},"modified":"2025-12-15T07:00:07","modified_gmt":"2025-12-15T12:00:07","slug":"interview-tim-gentle-talks-about-ian-whites-childrens-book-snowball-a-christmas-dilemma","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2025\/12\/12\/interview-tim-gentle-talks-about-ian-whites-childrens-book-snowball-a-christmas-dilemma\/","title":{"rendered":"INTERVIEW | Tim Gentle Talks About Ian White\u2019s Children\u2019s Book Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"The
The late Ian R. White with his book Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma (Photo courtesy of editor Tim Gentle)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Decades ago, the late Ian White developed a Christmas story for family and friends. Eventually, he began to perform it as part of a holiday story time event at Toronto\u2019s Sick Kids Hospital.<\/p>\n

The book, titled Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma, lived on via White for many years. As he reached the end of his life, he wanted to make it available for anyone to enjoy. He was helped along the way by actor and musician Timothy Gentle<\/a>, who has always called him \u2018uncle\u2019.<\/p>\n

Ian passed away a couple of days ago. Before that, however, he lived to see his story take shape as a published work, and become the official children’s book of the 2025 Toronto Santa Claus Parade. Gentle, who served as editor of the book, has also presented it during interviews on Global TV and in a country music radio station in Bracebridge.<\/p>\n

\"Author
Author Ian R. White and editor Tim Gentle (Photo courtesy of Tim Gentle)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma<\/h3>\n

The story takes place on Christmas Eve. Santa is ready to get into his sleigh to deliver toys around the world \u2014 but he can\u2019t find his iconic red hat! It sets off a mystery in rhyme. The 100% Canadian produced book includes 40 pages of pencil crayon illustrations by BC artist Sarah Cowan.<\/p>\n

The book developed over many years, beginning about 30 years ago, as Gentle explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat was in the early 90s, or the late 80s. He just had little pieces of it that he was tinkering with,\u201d Gentle says. White had his mind set on creating a Christmas story. \u201cIt just kind of grew from there.\u201d<\/p>\n

New passages were added, and revisions made, over the years. \u201cHe\u2019s like a scientist working on a theory with this book, and it\u2019s been a lifelong project,\u201d Tim adds.<\/p>\n

The result is a story that strikes a chord with many people. \u201cPeople have really responded when they hear about the story behind the story, and then look at the book and beautiful illustrations. They\u2019ve been really enthusiastic about it.\u201d<\/p>\n

The illustrations of the final version by Sarah Cowan of part of the book\u2019s appeal. \u201cWe were super lucky to get her,\u201d Gentle says. \u201cShe\u2019s responsible for the illustrations. They\u2019re based on the ones that he drew originally.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"The
The cover of Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma by Ian R. White (centre) and other illustrations from the book by Sarah Cowan (Photo courtesy of editor Tim Gentle)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Story Time And Beyond<\/h3>\n

White used an older version of the story for his Sick Kids Hospital performances, even constructing a faux hearth as a set. \u201cHe had a version of the book that he would flip through to keep in pace.\u201d<\/p>\n

How did White end up performing at Sick Kids?<\/p>\n

\u201cI think he just called them up,\u201d Gentle says. The Hospital already had a Story Time area and regular facilitator dressed up as a clown. \u201cIt\u2019s a beautiful program.\u201d<\/p>\n

While he wasn\u2019t a professional writer, Gentle says that White always loved the English language. \u201cHe was a word guy.\u201d He loved to rhyme, and looked at it as a kind of puzzle he\u2019d put together.<\/p>\n

Tim was introduced to Ian by his father, who was White\u2019s co-worker when both were in their 20s. He became a treasured family friend. \u201cThey worked at the Toronto Star together.\u201d White worked in circulation and other aspects of the newspaper business for The Star and other outlets \u2014 but not as a writer.<\/p>\n

White grew up in England during the Second World War, and came to appreciate books and literature. Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma wasn\u2019t the first or only story that he shared with friends. \u201cHe went to a Weight Watchers group,\u201d Time recalls. White wrote a poem for them called Too Heavy For Heaven. \u201cHe just loved these little puzzles,\u201d he adds.<\/p>\n

White and Tim\u2019s father shared an ongoing golf rivalry. \u201cHe would send my dad kind of taunting golf rhymes,\u201d he says. \u201cHe just loved to throw rhymes around.\u201d<\/p>\n

He came upon the idea for Snowball: A Christmas Dilemma after he made the decision to attempt a longer, full-length story. His idea for combining a mystery with a Christmas theme in a children\u2019s story was unique.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn my mind, his storytelling is worthy of that level of being [included] in the traditional Christmas canon,\u201d Tim says. \u201cIt\u2019s been a private thing that our family and his friends and a few people have enjoyed over 30 years.\u201d<\/p>\n

Making it public was the culmination of his dream. \u201cIt\u2019s a special thing for him. It\u2019s always been a legacy project,\u201d he adds. \u201cIt\u2019s a way to share his life, and one of his great life works. He\u2019s admitted this is one of the best things [he\u2019d] ever done.\u201d<\/p>\n

His recent passing makes his wish to publish it particularly poignant, ensuring the story will live on after him.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a great story to read and to hear,\u201d Gentle adds. He points out that White wrote it as much for the adults who read it as for the children who\u2019ll hear it.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe was just a fun dude to hang around with.\u201d<\/p>\n