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A Summertime Song
One warm summer night, a frog jumped into Lucy's room with an invitation for her to a birthday party and a magic paper party hat. Lucy put it on, and out in the garden, when a moonbeam touched the hat, Lucy was as little as a leaf. So begins Lucy's wonderful adventure. A taxi driven by Baby Bird, who is afraid to fly, picks Lucy up to take her to the party. On the way, they stop for Madame Mouse, wearing a brand new hat she's made; an inch-worm determined to get to the party in time to have some birthday cake; and a tiny tattered old doll whose owner, for whom he still longs, had lost him in the shadows of moonlight long ago. But suddenly, a huge owl blocks their way -- and he wants them all for his supper! Will they escape? Will they get to the party? Will the tiny doll ever be reunited with his beloved owner? In a lovely, lyrical text, the story unfolds to its happy ending. The magical pictures, painted with intricate detail and subtle colors, bring the moonlit garden world to life. This is an extraordinary book of great beauty and vivid imagination that small children and adults will look at again and again, discovering new wonders and surprises as they look. It is a treasure by the widely known and loved author/artist of The Maggie B.
Unknown Binding
First published April 1, 1997
1 person is currently reading
104 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
December 27, 2019
The kids loved it. The illustrations are delightful.
August 16, 2020
Lucy puts on the magic hat that the frog gave her and she's shrunk down to a size not much bigger than an insect. On the way to the party in a air taxi driven by Baby Bird, who's scared to try flying, she meets Madame and Mr. Mouse, Inchworm, a Japanese doll, and Owl, for whom the party's for. She didn't know it but the doll she found is the one her grandmother lost as a child. The book's title comes from a song her grandmother sings at the end. There are a couple words in here no young child, and some adults, would have ever heard of, chapeau and fete, so I don't think they should have been used. Though there's no moral, it's a very cute and innocent story. The illustrations are so beautiful. Some have a 1970s feel, which I love. My favorite is below.
July 23, 2023
I've just read this online at OpenLibrary, and it confirmed my suspicions - I'm going to need to buy a hardcopy of this. :) Illustrations are amazing; story short and sweet, leaving lots of opportunity for imaginative gazing at the detailed and lively imagery.
So there you go, greedy publishers trying to get OpenLibrary and Archive.org annihilated - it helps SELL books, you dolts. Way to ruin the lives of English-speaking families living abroad, too.
Jerks. (Specifically, that's Hachette Book Group (incl. imprints like Little, Brown and Co.), HarperCollins (imprints William Morrow, Ecco, HarperTeen, etc.), Penguin Random House (Crown, Vintage, Bantam, Ballantine, etc.) and John Wiley & Sons. Douchebags.).
So there you go, greedy publishers trying to get OpenLibrary and Archive.org annihilated - it helps SELL books, you dolts. Way to ruin the lives of English-speaking families living abroad, too.
Jerks. (Specifically, that's Hachette Book Group (incl. imprints like Little, Brown and Co.), HarperCollins (imprints William Morrow, Ecco, HarperTeen, etc.), Penguin Random House (Crown, Vintage, Bantam, Ballantine, etc.) and John Wiley & Sons. Douchebags.).
January 5, 2022
If you are a fan of watercolor—real watercolor—with dark darks and saturated brights and luscious gradients, then pick up a copy of this book. While you revel in the dreamy quality of the illustrations, be prepared for dream-like text as well which doesn't really make sense and only barely moves in a straight line. I did like the elements the author chose for tension but the resolution made about as much sense as a dream. In other words, get lost in the pictures and don't worry about if you have a chance to read the words. Cute ending though, in keeping with the plot if not wholly child-centric.
August 7, 2020
A very unique picture book. The illustrations are like art in a museum! We had fun looking through them after we read the story, but they were a little too obscure to look at while actually reading. The pages are too dark...if the pictures were lightened some they would be easier to see.
This is a story with magical realism which was fun. In our summer wrap up, this one did not make the cut of favorites for my 5 and 3 year olds.
This is a story with magical realism which was fun. In our summer wrap up, this one did not make the cut of favorites for my 5 and 3 year olds.
May 22, 2021
I grabbed this book from a discarded library cart at a school I was working at (interning, this past fall -- love the idea that my book reviews really do chronicle my life, so I better keep at it) because I love me some Irene Haas and her pretty little nature illustrations. I'm glad I did even though I could totally get nit-picky about this book. But the reality is, it's just a silly-magic book that I like for its vibes and not its usefulness and that's that.
August 4, 2018
Lucy receives an invitation to a birthday party and a magical hat. She puts on the hat and she shrinks to the size off a big. On the way to the party, Lucy meets many creatures and finds her Grandmas long lost doll.
This was a weird little story that reminded me of a Midsummer night's dream and Alice in Wonderland. Not oin the same level as those two but still nice.
This was a weird little story that reminded me of a Midsummer night's dream and Alice in Wonderland. Not oin the same level as those two but still nice.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2017
Beautiful illustrations!
January 7, 2022
One of the most beautifully illustrated picture books I’ve ever read, with a magical story to match!
January 17, 2024
I wanted to like this book more. It was very creative, and fun to read aloud. However, the illustrations are so dark in hue that you can barely, if at all, see all the gorgeous details!
October 17, 2016
“One warm summer night
Lucy opened her window
And in jumped a frog.
The frog gave Lucy an invitation to a birthday party
And a magic paper party hat to wear.
Then he jumped out again
Into the garden.”
This poetic story takes you on an adventure to dreamland, where your creativity and imagination may truly thrive as you experience a magical and mysterious world. Lucy’s journey to the garden entails talking animals such as Baby Bird, Madame Mouse, Inchworm and even a living doll… Lucy is suddenly their size and can see the world around them from their perspective. The creatures of the garden throw a birthday party full of dancing and instrument-playing frogs and beautiful flowers all around.
“Now the moon was high.
The party was over.
Owl, asleep in a flower pot,
Snored like faraway thunder.
Lucy bowed to the doll and told him,
‘It’s time for a happy ending!’”
Evident in this snippet alone, the text in this story is written with a enchanting tone. I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary, grades 3-5. As children age and near the end of elementary school, I fear that some of their imaginations slowly begin to fade as they become more in touch with reality… This book is a perfect way to capture your students’ attention and truly expand their creative and imaginative instincts. It takes me back to the days when I believed my stuffed animals and barbies could talk and play while I was asleep!! It almost bombards you with a sense of nostalgia as you travel to the unknown world of the garden with Lucy.
The illustrations are captivating and beautiful- they almost seem magical and could tell the story without any words! In fact, I want these pictures hung around my apartment! Not only does this story contain poetic writing, but there is art to be appreciated here, too. I think this story could be best utilized as an example/mentor text for writing with literary elements, such as similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, and more. It also goes to show how illustrations can enhance one’s writing. Although I believe the illustrations and the text could function wonderfully on their own, together they make “A Summertime Song” one of the most fascinating and amazing books I have ever read.
“...and down in the garden
All night long
Crickets sang
A summertime song.”
Lucy opened her window
And in jumped a frog.
The frog gave Lucy an invitation to a birthday party
And a magic paper party hat to wear.
Then he jumped out again
Into the garden.”
This poetic story takes you on an adventure to dreamland, where your creativity and imagination may truly thrive as you experience a magical and mysterious world. Lucy’s journey to the garden entails talking animals such as Baby Bird, Madame Mouse, Inchworm and even a living doll… Lucy is suddenly their size and can see the world around them from their perspective. The creatures of the garden throw a birthday party full of dancing and instrument-playing frogs and beautiful flowers all around.
“Now the moon was high.
The party was over.
Owl, asleep in a flower pot,
Snored like faraway thunder.
Lucy bowed to the doll and told him,
‘It’s time for a happy ending!’”
Evident in this snippet alone, the text in this story is written with a enchanting tone. I would highly recommend this book for upper elementary, grades 3-5. As children age and near the end of elementary school, I fear that some of their imaginations slowly begin to fade as they become more in touch with reality… This book is a perfect way to capture your students’ attention and truly expand their creative and imaginative instincts. It takes me back to the days when I believed my stuffed animals and barbies could talk and play while I was asleep!! It almost bombards you with a sense of nostalgia as you travel to the unknown world of the garden with Lucy.
The illustrations are captivating and beautiful- they almost seem magical and could tell the story without any words! In fact, I want these pictures hung around my apartment! Not only does this story contain poetic writing, but there is art to be appreciated here, too. I think this story could be best utilized as an example/mentor text for writing with literary elements, such as similes, metaphors, personification, imagery, and more. It also goes to show how illustrations can enhance one’s writing. Although I believe the illustrations and the text could function wonderfully on their own, together they make “A Summertime Song” one of the most fascinating and amazing books I have ever read.
“...and down in the garden
All night long
Crickets sang
A summertime song.”
February 27, 2015
A Summertime Song by Irene Haas is about a little named Lucy who embarks on an imaginary journey to attend a party. The journey begins as Lucy's greeted by a frog that jumps in her window. She frog gives Lucy an invitation and a birthday hat. Lucy puts on the hat shrinks down to bug size and is in the garden. She meets numerous friend on her journey to the party, including a China doll that once had belonged to her grandmother, a beetle and a baby bird driving a taxi. Facing many obstacles along the way, they make it to the party and celebrate with an owl for his birthday. Lucy then decides it is time for a happy ending, returning the China doll to her grandmother.
I love the book a Summertime song; it was my favorite book as a child. The book would be an entertaining way to introduce poetry to a first or second-grade class. In my first lesson plan incorporating poetry, I could use this book to introduce different elements of poetry. The book is a narrative story but integrates poetry through dialog in the story. The dialog has wonderful rhyme and sound, such as this alliteration in the poem "I Inch while I sleep, I inch while I wake, I inch until my little feet ache". The story is also full of onomatopoeias such as Foof, zut, boom and crash. The book also incorporates figurative language using similes such as Lucy was as little as a leaf and grandmas lighted window seemed as high up as the sky. Finally, the story has multiple examples of personification ranging from talking beetle, talking China doll and talking baby bird that is driving a taxi.
The illustrations are also amazing throughout the book and help the author understand what the little girl is imaging. The illustrations are soft, but the darkness enhances the white presented throughout the illustrations. The illustrations are busy and capture the reader's attention, and this helps them grasp what the little girl is imaging on her journey to the party. The illustrations are also very intricate and abstract, which is new and refreshing.
I love the book a Summertime song; it was my favorite book as a child. The book would be an entertaining way to introduce poetry to a first or second-grade class. In my first lesson plan incorporating poetry, I could use this book to introduce different elements of poetry. The book is a narrative story but integrates poetry through dialog in the story. The dialog has wonderful rhyme and sound, such as this alliteration in the poem "I Inch while I sleep, I inch while I wake, I inch until my little feet ache". The story is also full of onomatopoeias such as Foof, zut, boom and crash. The book also incorporates figurative language using similes such as Lucy was as little as a leaf and grandmas lighted window seemed as high up as the sky. Finally, the story has multiple examples of personification ranging from talking beetle, talking China doll and talking baby bird that is driving a taxi.
The illustrations are also amazing throughout the book and help the author understand what the little girl is imaging. The illustrations are soft, but the darkness enhances the white presented throughout the illustrations. The illustrations are busy and capture the reader's attention, and this helps them grasp what the little girl is imaging on her journey to the party. The illustrations are also very intricate and abstract, which is new and refreshing.
January 21, 2015
If you can't say anything nice...type it instead? Okay?! This book long, weird and boring. Picture are odd, but odd isn't the right word...come on thesaurus a bizarre, abstract, peculiar art that is suppose to look realistic and then it looks like water has been spilled on it (Water wasn't it just looks like it)? They are dark (not sinister just lost of blacks and not very pleasing) obscure color combos the story was weak, long and BORING! Racked over the coals...and I am sorry..but I don't have a positive on this one.
April 14, 2015
This charming book turned up in my Little Free Library yesterday, on the first truly warm day after a particularly fierce winter, just when I began to see the summer light at the end of the tunnel of school and spring. And what a perfect reminder of warm nights filled with cricket songs, bare feet, and fairy houses, not to mention birthday parties! The story is sweet, and while some of the illustrations verge on chaos, there is much to encourage extended time spent investigating all of the details and imagining more stories for all of the creatures in attendance.
August 6, 2010
I was searching the library for another Irene Haas book that I remember reading to my children 30 years ago - The Maggie B (alas either lost or discontinued; it's not tucked away on the shelves or in the computer files)- when I came across A Summertime Song. Beautifully illustrated, charming, a sweet ending. Maggie B is still my favorite, but A Summertime Song is equally as beautiful.
June 22, 2022
Self-indulgently oversize, to no good effect as the pictures still have too much chaos and detail to be able to appreciate. Chaotic and vague text, too. The theme of connecting grandma and grandchild over a lost doll seemed trite & cliched. I think there's something good in there, but danged if I can find it.
September 10, 2013
A truly happy fantasy/fairy tale about a young girl joining the bugs in a garden for a birthday party. The illustrations definitely make this book a magical fairy-tale, as so does the story. Recommneded for children in second grade +.
April 8, 2014
A fabulously illustrated story by the wonderful Irene Haas. This book has always been one of my all-time favorites. I highly recommend it to picture-book fans young and old seeking a charming escape.
September 19, 2015
Very odd. A little reminiscent of The Butterfly Ball And The Grasshopper's Feast.
November 18, 2007
This is fun fantasy book that offers poetry and a look into the author's imagination. I love the pictures and story line.
I would use this book to show ideas in writing in grades 2nd through 5th.
I would use this book to show ideas in writing in grades 2nd through 5th.
January 4, 2008
Lovely drawings and a charming, magical story but a bit too long to tell at story times. I would recommend as a one on one - that she finds the grandmother's doll was a nice bit.
April 3, 2008
What a beautiful book, the story and the illustrations. I wish my dreams looked like this.
July 19, 2008
Such a beautiful book! The illustrations are magical. A sweet story filled with wonder. Renny loves it!
July 20, 2011
I thought this book was whimsical and magical. Lovely.
April 18, 2013
I liked this very much, another gentle read full of magic. The illustrations are wonderful too.
April 1, 2016
Gorgeous detailed pictures with some really cool party hats. The story was simple enough for preschool.
Want to read
November 2, 2010library
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews