Community Snowman

Kindness and communal collaboration are on full display in Kerbel and Modeweg-Hansen’s ebullient picture book, which wordlessly unfolds through loosely inked sketches and comics-style panels. Gleeful scenes open as a brown-skinned child awakens to a window view of a snow-covered city. Having donned warm layers, the youth and a pink-skinned caregiver rush outside to frolic. Attempting to build a snowperson, the child gets swift support from an increasing number of passersby, who readily assist in rolling and lifting the components as well as comedically ornamenting the figure with a dill pickle nose, bagel ears, and a flower arrangement coif. After the crowd, depicted with varying skin tones, cheerfully congratulate one another on successful teamwork, the story shifts focus as the main characters dismantle parts of the snow sculpture for the benefit of a pale-skinned figure who appears underdressed for cold weather, making for an idyllic vision of community care. Ages 3–7. (Oct.)