Perfect Snow

Reid's (Fox Walks Alone) trademark textured Plasticine art is a natural for this brisk wintertime tale, allowing her to create persuasive footprints and trails where children have tromped through the snow. But with more than a dozen books to her credit in this media, who can blame her for branching out? Reid's lively scenarios are complemented and nicely balanced by comparatively quiet, sepia-toned ink-and-watercolor panels that flesh out the story line and provide humorous diversions. After an overnight snowfall, two friends can't wait until recess. Neither can their classmates%E2%80%94Reid makes it clear that no one's mind is on schoolwork, and when the students head outside, it's a snow-fueled bacchanal, complete with a fantastical "crazy twister of kids, whirling through the schoolyard" and "The World's Greatest Totally Massive Snow-man Fort." The text largely comprises realistic, punchy dialogue, yet it's the two-tiered artwork that drives the story. Reid proves such a natural at sequential art and storytelling, it wouldn't come as a surprise (or be a bad thing) if she had a graphic novel up her sleeve. Ages 6%E2%80%939. (Sept.)