The joys of summer
Luci Hand July 13, 2012 4:52PM
Article Extras
Updated: August 16, 2012 6:04AM
‘Summertime, and the livin’ is easy” to quote Mr. Gershwin.
What are some of the joys of summer?
Bob Raczka tells us in “Summer Wonders” for the little ones. This charming look at vacation starts at the pool and moves quickly to the beach.
We are so fortunate to have one of the best beaches in the world right here. Don’t miss it.
In “Summer Wonders” we watch people enjoy the outside and celebrate with a parade and fireworks. Picnics and books, jump rope and marbles, and a tree house tempt us. Gardening and melons (seed-spitting contest anyone?) join ice cream and more as we enjoy summer in all its glory.
I lived in Kansas for several years and there were no fireflies. Kids here are lucky to have that fun thing to do each summer.
The book has a recipe for homemade popsicles for those of you who like the kitchen, even in the summer.
‘Tree Party’
One of the best things about summer is sitting in the shade of a wonderful tree. Grandpa Crow announces “Let’s Have A Tree Party!” in this story by David Martin.
He invites all his friends and, of course, the kids come first. For the nonclimbing friends, there is a unique “elevator” available. We watch as they play hide and seek and some counting games.
Baby Bear climbs way up, and then the pizza is delivered. We do not see the delivery person, it just arrives. Why not? It’s a story.
Then, ice cream magically appears and Baby Bear really gets into that. A band is formed and the bunny hop dances through the tree. Then as nightfall comes, the friends sit on the branches and say hi to the man in the moon.
Everyone is sound asleep after their lovely day when, out of nowhere comes Owl asking if the party is over. Grandpa Crow says absolutely not and with the bats and other night people the party rocks on.
A tree house
Although my mother always said that I climbed every tree in the neighborhood, I did not have a tree house.
“House Held Up by Trees” by Ted Kooser tells a lovely tale about a house that “grows” with the trees.
We begin with a lonely little house sitting in an open field. All the trees, including their stumps, had been removed. There were lots of trees on either side of the little house.
The children who lived in the house loved to play in the trees. The trees and wildflowers and bushes wanted to share but the father wanted his perfect lawn, and he meticulously picked out all the shoots.
The children grew up and reluctantly left the trees where they had played and their father joined them as they moved away. The house was left alone. No one wanted the house and slowly the generous trees, flowers and bushes began to grow in the lawn.
Years pass, and the trees grow and the house deteriorates. The wind tried to blow it down but the trees raised it up. It became a tree house.
