MARTIN MACGREGOR’S SNOWMAN

Martin MacGregor, obsessed with making a snowman, is having a rough snowless winter. Lack of the white stuff forces him to think of other inventive, if not preposterous, ways of building his wintry creation. Martin tries everything from using marshmallows in his hot chocolate, spilling a bag of flour over his baby sister, gluing cotton balls on the dog’s fur, and even coming down to greet his mom’s book-club ladies in the buff, but completely covered with bubble-bath soap suds. Each attempt only succeeds in earning Martin another punishment from his exasperated parents. April brings a surprise snowstorm, allowing Martin to jubilantly create an entire snow family. Martin’s disregard for the results of his outlandish snow substitutions will have kids groaning and giggling simultaneously with each ridiculous scenario. Mixed-media on watercolor paper add to the absurdity, with cartoon-style drawings stressing Martin’s fiendish and somewhat devilish mood. Complementary first and last double-page spreads illustrate Martin’s contemplative thoughts. What will Martin substitute for sand castles as he waits for the spring rains to stop? (Picture book. 3-5)