First Snow, Magic Snow

Though this latest work from the creators of My Grandmother's Journey offers moments of moving sweetness, it ultimately proves unsatisfying. When the first snow falls, a childless woodsman crafts a baby girl out of the downy white flakes. The child, Snowflake, comes to life and delights her new parents with her joyous nature. But at the first thaw, she disappears, leaving her grief-stricken father and mother to search for her. Cech's account of their journey to reclaim their daughter from Grandfather Frost is rendered in the easy prose style of traditional oral narrative. But this tale, based on a Russian legend, is wordy and overlong for the picture book format, and its abrupt ending-Snowflake's parents calmly accept the fact that their daughter must return each spring to the icy north-strikes a slightly awkward (and possibly confusing) note. MeGinley-Nally's stylized, jewel-like illustrations, in luminous hues of red, blue and violet, seem somewhat static-figures occasionally appear frozen in awkward poses. Still, with its rusticaled artwork and rambling prose, this new take on the familiar theme of a childless couple may please folktale devotees. Ages 47. (Sept.)