Review by Publisher's Weekly Review
Frosty isn't the only snowman with the ability to animate himself; after a boy named George carefully builds a snowman, it magically comes to life, too. George and the snowman run and play in the plush snow, but the following morning sees warmer temperatures; by Monday, the snowman is a horribly misshapen lump. Tegen doesn't dwell on such unpleasantness, though (the very next morning, snow is falling again), and Dorman's paintings offer quintessentially wintry delights on every page-one can almost hear George's bright green boots squeaking in the snow. Ages 4-8. (Oct.) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved
Review by School Library Journal Review
PreS-Gr 2-Tegen's story recalls Raymond Briggs's wordless classic, The Snowman (Random, 1978). In this version, George is, at first, bored watching the blizzard outside. But the next morning, he bundles up and plunges into the deep, fluffy world of white. He proceeds to build a snowman and dress it up with button eyes, a carrot nose, twigs for arms and mouth, a hat, and a scarf. Is it smiling at him? After a snack of cookies and hot chocolate (which the snowman can't drink), George builds a snow cave. He and the animated snowman have a grand time throwing snowballs at each other and racing around the yard until dark. The next day, it is warmer. They play some more, although George notices the snowman is not as peppy. The following day is Monday and George goes to school. By the time he returns home, most of the snow, including his winter friend, has melted. But the next day, it is snowing again, and George is ready to build another snowman. The descriptive story and Dorman's realistic illustrations convincingly capture the boy's wonder and joy of celebrating winter days with a magical friend. George's understanding that his creation will eventually melt but can be built again gives the story an upbeat ending. Although no new ground is broken here, this is a pleasant addition to storytime shelves.-Martha Simpson, Stratford Library Association, CT (c) Copyright 2012. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
(c) Copyright Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
Review by Kirkus Book Review
This tale of a constructed friend charms with its magic and imagination. A Friday snow day keeps George home from school, trapped inside and bored as the snow continues to fall. But Saturday is a great play-outside day, so George dons his warm winter clothes. The next few pages are an expository-writing teacher's dream, as the text and realistic-looking illustrations team up to create a guide to building a snowman. A few household items, some sticks and George's hard work, and the snowman is complete. Through some unknown magic, George's snowman comes to life and responds when George offers him a snack. The two spend the day chasing each other and flinging snowballs. On Sunday, a warmer day, George's snowman doesn't have as much energy. Monday, a school day, is even hotter. When George gets off the school bus, he finds a small heap of snow decorated with some buttons, a scarf and a carrot (in the illustration, it looks like a jumbled pile of white fleece fabric). But Tuesday brings more snow, and George cannot wait"to build his snowman again." Readers will have no doubt that George's lively snowman will return. Though this doesn't quite match the allure of Michael Garland's Christmas Magic (2001) or the pure fun of Caralyn and Mark Buehner's Snowmen at Night (2002), it is a nice cross between the two that will have kids rolling snowman pieces with dedicated purpose. (Picture book. 4-8)]] Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
