Super summer

Goldstone completes his cycle of seasonal books in this companion to Awesome Autumn (2012), Wonderful Winter (2016), and Spectacular Spring (2018). While each double-page spread introduces a new topic, they often follow a logical sequence, presenting summer's lengthy days followed by the sun's heat, why summer clothes are lightweight and light-colored, how to cool your body, and estivation (a hibernation-like state that helps some animals survive in hot weather). Other sections feature summer crops, flowers, pollination, and biting and stinging insects. A few spreads are devoted to the senses, with headings such as How does summer feel? These pages will elicit plenty of comments from children with their own experiences to share. The book's large format offers plenty of space to display multiple photos or to make one picture more effective. While the pages often look crowded, the individual photos are good, and the overall effect is energetic and colorful. This book presents a smattering of information on summer-related topics along with many reasons for kids to look forward to the season.--Carolyn Phelan Copyright 2019 Booklist

Goldstone's final installment in his seasonal celebrations (Wonderful Winter, 2016, etc.) serves up all things summer."Summer is aseason of plenty" is the centering theme, and readers may tire of the word "plenty" by the end. Fittingly, a large number of page spreads are devoted to the heatthe length of days, how to protect yourself from the sun and keep cool, the role of sweat, how animals adapt to the weather. Goldstone also highlights flowers, devoting one spread to sunflowers and their heliotropism and another to the power of blooms to attract pollinators. Summer insects get a couple of spreadsone about harmless ones (at least to people) and another to stingers. The book concludes with a variety of types of vacation destinations (an amusement park, the woods, etc.) and ways to enjoy the months "in the water, on land, and in the air," a look at summer celebrations, and the looming start of school. Backmatter includes six activities to fill summer days. As in the previous volumes, the photos (some stock, some by Goldstone) are a particular highlight. Bright colors, up-close pictures, photos cropped in fun, summery shapes, and a diverse array of kids who don't seem overly posed fill the pages.A solid ending to an excellent seasonal series. (Nonfiction. 5-10) Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.