A REALLY GOOD SNOWMAN

Mahoney again extols the benefits of cooperation, bringing back the animal cast from The Saturday Escape (2002) for a snowman-building contest in the park. Jack’s pesky little sister Nancy wants to help, but since the rules say only three per team—and Jack already has two friends—she’s on her own. When Nancy’s solo project is attacked by bullies, though, Jack does some soul searching and leaves his buddies to lend her a paw. Nicely reflecting the tale’s intimacy and light tone, the author creates a snowy, spacious landscape in which snowmen of diverse, often humorous design, and their small, furry, well-bundled-up creators mingle. In the end, Nancy’s snow bear doesn’t win the prize—but Jack discovers that he’s had such a good time helping her that it really doesn’t matter, and home they go, hand in hand. A well-crafted, low-key tale, more warming than a cup of steaming cider. (Picture book. 6-8)