SNOW PARTY

“[W]hen the first snow of the year falls on the first day of winter, [the snowpeople] have a snow party!” A pedestrian text describes the snowpeople’s gathering and preparation for the event; it’s a novel enough idea, but what makes this book succeed are newcomer Jones’s illustrations, which take the premise and go all-out. Traditional three-ball-high snowpeople, wearing the simplest accessories—a top hat, a babushka scarf, earmuffs, a red riding-hood—are given enormous personality and vigor as they celebrate. Varied perspectives offer long-shots and close-ups, deep purples and blues in the background allowing the coal-eyed, carrot-nosed folk to fairly glow at their gala. (Picture book. 4-8)