Mama, Is It Summer Yet?

This and [b:All in a Day|4888051|All in a Day|Cynthia Rylant|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1328813071s/4888051.jpg|4953449] both came home with us thanks to Nikki McClure's instantly recognizable artwork -- I have been in love with her style for a long time and was excited to share these books with Peaches.

I'm just going to review them both together because every time we read one of them, we read the other one, too. The prose is simple and pretty: Summer is full of a boy asking if it's summer and his mom answering him, teaching him signs of the seasons. It's charming, although Peaches gets a little confused because there are so many "no" answers and she can't figure out the cue for "yes."

The other book, All in a Day, is an show more illustrated poem, although I didn't realize that until we were finished because the first part's stretched out over too many pages. It's a reflection on the potential each day has, and I love the last bit:

"The past is sailing off to sea, the future's fast asleep.
A day is all you have to be, it's all you get to keep."

We have a lot of fun looking through the illustrations in both books, finding hidden squirrels and giggling about silly chicken antics. Peaches told me the other night that she "had great reading with these books," and I think part of it is that she picks up on how much I enjoy them, but also they're just right for reading before bed: quiet and lovely without being dull. show less

Mama, Is It Summer Yet? is a book about a child's curiosity about summer. It is winter I'm the beginning and he asks his mom when is summer coming. She told him not yet, not until the leaves start to bloom. He kept asking her and every time she gave him something else that happens during spring. Such as animals coming out, seeds starting to grow, the air becoming warmer, and the animals growing. She finally tells him summer is here and how warm the sun is. The illustrations were really neat. The illustrator uses very little color and mostly black and white but certain objects were in color. Like, a scarf or a bucket. This would be a cool book to read toward the end of the year.

In this charming book, one little boy can’t wait for summer to arrive. He keeps asking, “Mama, is it summer yet?” Mama responds saying, ”Not yet,” but there are plenty of signs that indicate spring is changing into summer: The earth is soft and there are seeds to plant, birds singing, ducklings in the pond, and pink blossoms blooming. The young boy even wears his bathing suit and carries a beach pail in preparation, but will it ever be summer?

I'm a big fan of Nikki McClure's work and this book impressed me even more. Transitioning the story between the changing of two seasons McClure uses her simple lines to unfold the subtle changes between each day as the summer approaches.

This is my favorite read of the whole term! I love the simplicity and the art captures the attention of young children. After reading it to children, they have been inspired t look outside and look for clues of summer.

This story shows the seasons turning from winter to spring as a child asks, "Mama is it summer yet?". The woodblock artwork of Nicki McClure makes the story shine as every page reveals another sign of the season. The repetitive nature of the questioning gives the story a real flow. The celebration of summer at the end is gleeful.
This book could be used in classrooms as a study of the seasons in a primary classroom. Students could also take this idea with the repeated questions to write a report on an aspect of nature that changes over time such as a caterpillar turning to a butterfly.

The talented cut paper artist Nikki McClure adds a short story to her work where every page questions, "is it summer yet?" Beautiful color composition and art. Perfect for spring lessons about seasons. A walk through neighborhoods to witness the changing season and for older kids, to write in an observation journal would be great.