Sneezy the Snowman

Three cartoon children try to warm up shivery Sneezy—whose skinny carrot nose, spindly branch arms, and beady black eyes make him resemble Jack Skellington more than Frosty. Drinking cocoa, sitting in a hot tub, and warming up by a bonfire all result in Sneezy melting, followed by his request to "Make me brand new!" Each time, the children rebuild him, contributing some of their winter wear, until Sneezy—in pink stocking cap and orange jacket—is too hot. But ice cream saves the day: " ‘This is great!' the snowman cried./ ‘I'm not too cold and I'm not too hot,/ and I'm wearing clothes I like a lot.' " Although Wright's verse too often strains for its rhymes ("I need to feel some warmth on me./ There's a campfire by that tree"), Gilpin's illustrations are quirky and fun. Ages 4–8. (Sept.)