Synopsis
Easy rhyming text describes a parade celebrating each month of the year, followed by information about different calendars, the months, and how to make one's own calendar.
Publishers Weekly
The parade certainly doesn't pass by Barner (Fish Wish; Dem Bones), whose arresting collages depict 12 festive processions, ranging in theme from civic tradition (Labor Day, Thanksgiving) to ethnic celebrations (St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo) to more spontaneous themes (a June pet parade, a circus come to town in August). The text is standard-issue, with one couplet per spread to cue a (presumably) very young audience: "On July 4 we wave flags and say hurray./ Wear red, white, and blue on Independence Day." Barner holds to a street-level spectator perspective, guaranteeing readers a choice seat while they review wave after wave of marchers. But there's enough variation to spotlight the visual impact of different parades-he pulls back to show ticker tape fluttering around a city skyline, and zooms in and tilts upward to underscore the size of two huge Thanksgiving Day balloons as they float beyond the confines of the page. Just as in a real parade, some details stand out: the jewels on a circus elephant's costume, the flowers on a Rose Bowl float. The book concludes with a basic, month-by-month overview of parade-inspiring festivals and tips for making a wall calendar. All ages. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.
Editorials
Publishers Weekly
The parade certainly doesn't pass by Barner (Fish Wish; Dem Bones), whose arresting collages depict 12 festive processions, ranging in theme from civic tradition (Labor Day, Thanksgiving) to ethnic celebrations (St. Patrick's Day, Cinco de Mayo) to more spontaneous themes (a June pet parade, a circus come to town in August). The text is standard-issue, with one couplet per spread to cue a (presumably) very young audience: "On July 4 we wave flags and say hurray./ Wear red, white, and blue on Independence Day." Barner holds to a street-level spectator perspective, guaranteeing readers a choice seat while they review wave after wave of marchers. But there's enough variation to spotlight the visual impact of different parades-he pulls back to show ticker tape fluttering around a city skyline, and zooms in and tilts upward to underscore the size of two huge Thanksgiving Day balloons as they float beyond the confines of the page. Just as in a real parade, some details stand out: the jewels on a circus elephant's costume, the flowers on a Rose Bowl float. The book concludes with a basic, month-by-month overview of parade-inspiring festivals and tips for making a wall calendar. All ages. (Mar.) Copyright 2003 Cahners Business Information.Children's Literature
As demonstrated in Parade Day, every month of the year contains a holiday that can be celebrated with a parade. Each of the twelve parades contained in the book is displayed in a two-page spread. While the rhyming text can be a bit strained, the illustrations are colorful and lively and capture well the excitement that a parade can inspire. Additionally, fascinating information relating to calendars is included, although relegated to the final few pages. There you can find a double-page spread detailing celebrated days for each month, including some multi-cultural choices, such as Rosh Hashanah and Cinco de Mayo, as well as easy-to-follow detailed instructions for kids to make and decorate their own calendar. The final page contains intriguing facts comparing the basis upon which various cultures calculate their calendars. For example, our own Gregorian calendar has 365 days, with an additional day added every fourth year, or leap year. The Islamic calendar, however, has only 354 days, while Jewish calendars use the sun as the basis for calculating days, but the moon for calculating months. 2003, Holiday House,— Linda Ruble