ZACK'S ALLIGATOR AND THE FIRST SNOW

Zack and his alligator, Bridget, have a wintry adventure in this early reader.

When grown-ups aren’t around, Zack’s alligator key chain comes alive, à la Calvin and Hobbes, and grows to life size whenever she gets wet. In this latest imaginative romp, Bridget experiences snow for the first time. She and Zack make a new friend in a little girl they meet, and the trio makes snow angels (and gators), goes sledding and—hysterically—manages to escape being spotted by Zack’s parents. Hungry, Bridget lets her nose lead her to the ice, where she gobbles down every fish she sees—it’s no wonder that Zack’s ice-fishing parents come up empty-handed at the end of the day. Watts’ softly-colored illustrations reflect the joy and exuberance that snow brings, while Bridget’s innocence is charming: She seems a mix of Frosty the Snowman and Amelia Bedelia in what she doesn’t know. Her comparisons to what she is familiar with from her native Florida will provoke giggles (each snowflake is different, “[l]ike the snails and slugs in the Glades”). Simple sentences and vocabulary and a lively story make this just right for developing readers.

Fans will be looking for Zack’s parting words to Bridget to come true: “We’ll have more fun soon.” (Early reader. 4-8)