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I'm Going to Build a Snowman

By Jashar Awan
Illustrated by Jashar Awan

About The Book
In this sparkling picture book celebration of winter and creativity, a boy’s snow day efforts show that perfection is relative and what’s important is taking pride in what you do!

When a little boy wakes up to see a blanket of snow covering the world outside, there’s only one thing to do: make a snowman, and not just any snowman—he wants the best snowman ever. But when his perfectly packed and powdery dreams clash with cold, slushy reality, he realizes the best snowman ever may be out of reach…but he can make his best snowman yet.

About The Author
Photograph by Jashar Awan
Jashar Awan

Growing up outside of Washington, DC, Jashar Awan loved drawing and reading. In fact, he still does. For many years, he drew illustrations for publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, American Medical News, and Columbia Journalism Review. Jashar made his debut as an author-illustrator with What a Lucky Day!. Publishers Weekly spotlighted him as one of the most promising children’s debut authors of fall 2020. His book Only Ants for Andy was selected for the 2023 and 2024 Choose to Read Ohio booklist. Jashar is also the creator of Strum & Drum: A Merry Little Quest, I’m Going to Build a Snowman, and Every Monday Mabel. He lives in Ohio with his wife, Emily, and their son, Maxwell, who loves drawing and reading, too.

About The Illustrator
Photograph by Jashar Awan
Jashar Awan

Growing up outside of Washington, DC, Jashar Awan loved drawing and reading. In fact, he still does. For many years, he drew illustrations for publications such as The New Yorker, The New York Times, American Medical News, and Columbia Journalism Review. Jashar made his debut as an author-illustrator with What a Lucky Day!. Publishers Weekly spotlighted him as one of the most promising children’s debut authors of fall 2020. His book Only Ants for Andy was selected for the 2023 and 2024 Choose to Read Ohio booklist. Jashar is also the creator of Strum & Drum: A Merry Little Quest, I’m Going to Build a Snowman, and Every Monday Mabel. He lives in Ohio with his wife, Emily, and their son, Maxwell, who loves drawing and reading, too.

Why We Love It

“No matter how many times I read this book, I laugh and smile through it every time. Jashar Awan’s sense of humor and attention to detail is perfectly executed here, and he’s able to exactly capture the feelings involved in making your first snowman. With art and a story reminiscent of The Snow Day and a lovely growth mindset message, I’m Going to Build a Snowman feels like a classic in the making.”

—Celia L., Executive Editor, on I’m Going to Build a Snowman

Product Details
  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (September 19, 2023)
  • Length: 48 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781665938181
  • Ages: 4 - 8

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Raves and Reviews

*An ALA 2024 Notable Book*

*A Bank Street Best Book of 2024*

*A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection*

★ "Overall, this is a fun and meaningful read for little ones, though its message about the potential joy that can be found in imperfection is one that will resonate with readers of all ages."

– Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

★ "Large readable text is limited to a few words per page, making the vibrantly colored digital illustrations effectively carry the story line forward. Kids will delight in fun onomatopoeia such as “pullll, pushhh, ziiiip, fwump” as the boy gets dressed, and “sssslump” as the snowman starts to tilt over."

– School Library Journal, STARRED REVIEW

“The sunny protagonist accepts their creation in all its reality, and readers can, too, in this exploration of a maker who gleefully accepts their own work.”

– Publishers Weekly

Awards and Honors
  • Ohioana Book Award Finalist
  • Virginia Literary Award Nominee

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

I'm Going to Build a Snowman

By Jashar Awan
Illustrated by Jashar Awan