SUMMERTIME WITH SNOWMAN PAUL

In this picture book, a snowman and his human friend pursue a creative summertime project.

Dan, a White child, explains that his pal Paul, a large snowman, is a “happy-go-lucky guy” who “always knows how to get by.” Yet Paul suffers during the summer. He experiences unwanted attention at the pool and the beach, and the heat makes him melt. Paul laments: “I don’t fit in!” But Dan has an idea that “will take people by surprise.” The friends build and set up an ice cream cart at the pool. Paul sits in the cart under an awning while assisting Dan, who makes ice cream cones for a long line of customers. Paul appreciates Dan’s thoughtful (and cool) solution: “Now I can see / That Summer can be fun for me!” The story has excellent kid appeal, presenting endearing characters and a cheerful summer setting. Utilizing playful, engaging rhymes (“I just don’t care for all that sun, / It tends to spoil all my fun”), Lapid deftly depicts the importance of friendship and collaboration, especially under uniquely challenging circumstances. Pasek’s charming illustrations feature lovely watercolor spreads portraying the passing seasons, as when Paul and diverse kids trick-or-treat on Halloween. Summery scenes include vivid details like multicolored skies and waters. The images show a sprightly brown dog who appears throughout the story and a scene where Paul reads a newspaper with the headline “Global Warming…Hotter Than Average Summer Ahead!”

An enjoyable, delightfully illustrated tale of inventiveness and teamwork.