I'm going to build a snowman by Jashar Awan

An iconic book will inspire spin-offs, spoofs, and read-alikes and I think The Snowy Day definitely falls into that category. However, Awan's version, while clearly playing homage to the original classic, is it's own unique, sweet story.

Deep navy endpapers are scattered with collage-style scraps of white to represent snow. The first, wordless spread shows a child sleeping curled up in bed in a dark room, snowflake crafts and snowmen art taped to the wall. The crack in the curtains shows the softly glowing orange of morning light with big flakes drifting down. Turn the page and the light goes on, a black cat leaps out of bed, and the child, shown to have dark brown skin and tousled black hair, peers out the window, yelling in delight "Mom! It snowed!"

The delighted child is determined to build the "best snowman ever" and eats breakfast, puts on their snow clothes with help from mom, and visualizes the process. They imagine their perfect snowman coming to life, and going on magical adventures with them as they race out the door to get started. The child works hard, creating a snowman with what they have on hand (readers paying attention will notice that there's only a light dusting of snow, with the grass poking through) and finally they finish the perfect snowman... a slumped pile of dirty snow with sticks and rocks poked in at random angles. The child looks sadly at the snowman, examines the pile of slowly melting snow with careful eyes, and admits that it's not quite right... until they draw a smile on it and then it's PERFECT.

Is it the best snowman ever? No. But it's the "best snowman yet!" and definitely picture-worthy! The child drifts back into sleep, the picture of them and their snowman smiling down on them.

Verdict: This is not only a sweetly seasonal book for those places that get snow, it's also a gentle reminder that perfect is in the eye of the beholder, and the joy is in the process not the product. Use this in snow-themed storytimes, in art classes, and as a classroom read-aloud to encourage children to enjoy the journey and their progress along the way. Recommended.

ISBN: 9781665938174; Published September 2023 by Simon & Schuster; Review copy provided by publisher; Donated to the library