Summer Beat (review)

This onomatopoeic tribute to summertime follows a day in the life of best friends Em and Joe. From the opening, wherein Em's skateboard goes "Clackity-clack" on the sidewalk, to the closing notes of crickets singing "Treet-treet, treet-treet" high in a tree, each spread offers abundant sound effects and summer adventures for the two friends. Franco presents a wide assortment of seasonal activities—jumping in the sprinkler, tossing water balloons, lighting sparklers—and young listeners are sure to relate to the abundant options for summer fun. While the rhymed verse is occasionally stretched to fit the required cadence ("Whoosh pumf, Whoosh pumf./Tossing water balloons around./ I throw to Joe. Pop! Spltt!/ Our yellow balloon smacks the ground!"), a practice read will easily fortify readers-aloud against scansion traps. Middleton's mixed-media artwork incorporates drawing, collage, and computer media to depict the wholesome neighborhood setting. Illustrations beam with summer energy as Em's golden braids constantly flap about and bicycle handlebar streamers blow in the breeze. The playful language and opportunities to make sounds like the subject matter make this a great candidate for summertime reading programs, and little listeners will likely have an activity or two to add to Em and Joe's list.