Frosty the Snowman

September 16, 2013
“Thumpety thump thump,/ Thumpety thump thump,” readers watch the famous snowman come to life and glide over snow-covered hills and through a busy town square in Zahares’s smudgy, folk art–flavored artwork. Children joyfully outfit their frozen friend with the requisite button nose, corncob pipe and magic hat, in scenes whose icy blue snowscapes are punctuated with bright reds, yellows, and greens before Frosty takes his tear-filled leave into a glowing orange sunset. An accompanying CD features musician Kenny Loggins performing the title track as well as two original, non-holiday songs. Ages 4–up.

September 1, 2013
"Thumpety thump thump, look at Frosty go!" He's come back to life again with an edgy, 21st-century vibe in this updated picture-book version of the beloved children's song that has been popular for over half a century and has become indelibly associated with Christmas. Previous illustrated versions of the song featured an old-fashioned, jolly snowman and sweet, 1950s-era children. With this new interpretation, Zahares creates a striking, moody atmosphere in his arresting pastel illustrations. The views of Frosty dancing around the village feature deep, saturated colors, bold shapes and a pervasive blue haze of shadows against the snow. Zahares has invented a completely different Frosty, with huge red buttons, long, wooden arms and diamond-shaped eyes that seem menacing rather than friendly. Although the snowman is described in the lyrics as "alive as he could be," this Frosty seems rather like a robot--quite possibly a scary, 10-foot-tall robot that might whack you with his huge broom. Nevertheless, the multiethnic child characters, extra-large trim size and vibrant illustrations in double-page-spread format make this a natural choice for reading or singing with a stouthearted group. A CD of the song, as recorded by Kenny Loggins, is included with the book. Most will find this newfangled Frosty a fine fellow, but a few sensitive readers may find him more of a nightmare than a fairy tale come to life. (performer's note, artist's note) (Picture book. 3-8)

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August 1, 2013

PreS-Gr 2-Zahares reimagines this classic song with page after page of jewel-toned art done in pastels. The smiling snowman comes to life and plays with the children who created him. Icy winter scenes contrast deep blues with houses of bright red, orange, and green, surrounded by seasonal details-falling snowflakes, boot-kicked snow piles, lighted windows, steaming mugs in gloved hands, and smoke swirls from chimneys. Followed by a performer's note and an artist's note, the book also includes artist Kenny Loggins's recording of the title song with the bonus of two additional tunes. "Frosty" has a warm, rhythmic country lilt with guitar and the voices of a children's choir. Although numbered incorrectly on the CD, it's easy to distinguish between the traditional "Fishin' Blues" with harmonica and narrative verse and the foot-stomping "Cyndi." This is a brightly inviting edition to add to collections of earlier versions as it contains the perfect audio accompaniment.-Mary Elam, Learning Media Services, Plano ISD, TX

Copyright 2013 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

January 1, 2014
The familiar winter song is newly illustrated with showily stylized paintings. Zahares, best known for Window Music, adopts a palette of electric blue and brick red for the snowy scenes; long shadows fall across the blue snow, and the double-page spreads are distorted as if viewed through a fisheye lens. The accompanying CD, performed by Kenny Loggins, also includes two other child-friendly tunes.

(Copyright 2014 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)