Synopsis
Clackity-clack, clackity-clack.A skateboard flies over sidewalk squares.
Whoosh pumf, whoosh pumf.Water balloons tossed through the air.
Bizzle-bzzz, bizzle-bzzz. A bumblebee comes zipping by.
Tzooooooooooo bang. Tzooooooooooo bang.Fireworks start for the Fourth of July!
The sounds of summer sizzle and pop in this bouncing,swinging tribute to the best beats of every child's favorite season.
School Library Journal
PreS - Gr 2 - Extolling the season's pleasures, this book is packed with sensory details, perhaps too many. The rhythmic text at the top of each page accompanies the story line at the bottom. Such sounds as "bizzle-bzzz," "tha-thump," and "whoosh pumf" sound authentic, but these words dominate each page and can interfere with readers' ability to focus on the simple story of a little girl luxuriating in the many joys of summer-blowing bubbles, skateboarding, racing through the sprinkler, eating sizzling food hot off the grill, seeing July 4th fireworks, and sleeping in a tree house. Middleton's charming depiction of children and pets amid bursts of vibrant color adds to the seasonal celebration, but, despite the summer mood, Franco's plot is thin and the text too busy for traditional storytimes. As a choral reading with one group reciting all the sound words in the background, children might perform this as a summer symphony. If books with performance opportunities are needed, this one would be a worthwhile selection. Otherwise, purchase only if additional seasonal offerings are needed.-Gloria Koster, West School, New Canaan, CT
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