Summer: Animals Share in a Poetic Tale of Kindness by Cao Wenxuan, illustrated by Yu Rong. PICTURE BOOK. Imprint. $19. 9781250310064
BUYING ADVISORY: Pre-K. EL
(K-3)- ADVISABLE
AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH
"In summer, the grasslands are parched. the animals seek shelter from the sun, their trampling feet stirring up a thick cloud of dust. Tree! the sharp-eyed jackal shrieks." All animals dash off to be the first to arrive at the tree and enjoy some shade. After fighting for the shade the animals see a father and son walking across the dry grassland together. The father's shadow completely covers the little boy and offers him relief from the head. Touched by the scene before them, one by one the animals invite a smaller animal to enjoy the shade created by their size. Just as the elephant joins the group with no one to offer shade for his size a cloud appears and stays to give the animals relief from the summer heat. "In summer, all the friends cool off in the shade. TOGETHER.
Summer: Animals Share in a Poetic Tale of Kindness is an insightful tale of love and kindness. The illustrations are soft and inviting. The text is emotional and heartwarming. Summer animals go from one extreme to the other when they begin their day fighting and arguing for the relief of shade to sharing their shade with their friends in a unique way. We enjoyed the final pages as they grow shorter and then longer as the animals become selfless and show acts of kindness. Summer: Animals Share in a Poetic Tale of Kindness would be a great addition to a unit on seasons or for teaching about emotions and manners.
Reviewer: SL
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