Ready for Summer

These four board books illustrated by collage-artist Marthe Jocelyn are a unique tribute to the colors, textures, and patterns that make clothes a child’s favorite pastime.

Ready for Summer displays a full wardrobe, introducing lovely words like turtleneck and galoshes, and allowing even the very young reader to be an expert on what should be worn next season.

What am I going to wear? The question that diverts us all is first presented in the toddler years when the mastery of getting dressed is a triumph and opinions about clothing are emphatic.

These four board books illustrated by collage-artist Marthe Jocelyn are a unique tribute to the colors, textures, and patterns that make clothes a child’s favorite pastime.

Ready for Summer displays a full wardrobe, introducing lovely words like turtleneck and galoshes, and allowing even the very young reader to be an expert on what should be worn next season.

Children's Literature

Somehow I was not expecting a board book about summer to be filled with pictures of clothing. It starts by telling young listeners to take off their pajamas and select the proper clothing for this time of year. Since it is hot, options include a tank top, T-shirt, shorts, sun hat, sandals, swimsuit, sundress, and sunglasses. After all, summer days can be real scorchers. Now these two kids on the last spread are set for whatever summer might bring, especially running naked through a water sprinkler. Jocelyn has created a simple lesson in learning the various pieces of clothing that kids would normally wear, but the illustrations are the real treat. They consist of fabric and paper to make attractive collages, and the children depicted include a boy and a girl. Other books in the series address the remaining seasons. Reviewer: Marilyn Courtot

Marthe Jocelyn is an award-winning author and illustrator who worked for many years as a toy designer before turning her hand to writing. She has written nine picture books, one of which, Hannah’s Collections, was shortlisted for a Governor General’s Award for Illustration, and six novels, including the critically acclaimed works of historical fiction, Mable Riley and How it Happened in Peach Hill. Jocelyn has also written a nonfiction account of the Foundling Hospital in London, England, entitled, A Home for Foundlings. She is the editor of two short story collections, Secrets and First Times. Marthe Jocelyn divides her time between New York and Stratford, Ontario.