Summer Beat

by Betsy Franco

Clackity-clack, clackity-clack. A skateboard flies over sidewalk squares.

Whoosh pumf, whoosh pumf. Water balloons tossed through the air.

Bizzle-bzzz, bizzle-bzzz. A bumblebee comes zipping by.

Tzooooooooooo bang. Tzooooooooooo bang. Fireworks start for the Fourth of July!

The sounds of summer sizzle and pop in this bouncing, swinging tribute to the best beats of every child's favorite season.

Genres: Picture Books, Storytime, Summer, Childrens

32 pages, Hardcover

First published April 24, 2007

About the author

Betsy Franco is an accomplished and versatile author whose body of work spans over 80 published titles, including fiction, young adult novels, picture books, and poetry collections. Known for her creative, collage-like approach to storytelling, Franco has also written a screenplay for each of her novels, with Naked optioned for film and The Art of Love currently in post-production.
Franco has a strong background in film and theater, having served as the screenwriting mentor for Metamorphosis, Junior Year, a film adaptation of her novel and play. The project was a family collaboration involving her sons James and Tom Franco, and it was well received at major festivals including Cinequest and Mill Valley, earning recognition as a top ten film by the San Jose Mercury News.
Her creative partnerships with her sons continue across various mediums: she appeared in James Franco’s film The Broken Tower and on General Hospital, while Tom Franco has illustrated her books and co-produced films with her. She also works closely with her son Dave Franco, who assists with her writing projects and participated in the audiobook of Metamorphosis, Junior Year alongside James.

Reviews

[DeA · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun book to read during storytime, the children got into it and started to make the sounds with me after the first few pages. It's also one of the few books that really works for July storytimes in the US as it also ends with the 4th of July fireworks. Recommend to anyone who wants a fun book to read with small children.

[Mely · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of different sounds... onamonapia. Cute book. Celebrates the festivities of 4th of July.

[Tiffany S · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun, interactive, and downright musical way to enjoy summer with yourself or with friends :)

[Jacqueline Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book because it was about two friends and how they spend their summer days. There was some excellant illustrations as well. This book is fun to read because it describes what kind of noises are heard during the summer and the kids would enjoy making the noises, as well as the teacher! Very cute.

[Kate Hastings · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great opportunities for participation and sound effects in a movement program.
1. pretend to ride skateboard
2. be a sprinkler on the lawn.
3. make a hammock with a friend and swing arms
4. be a tree in the breeze
5. bumble bee
6. raindrops
7. eating corn on the cob/watermelon
etc...

[Kelli · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Shhh Shhh, Shhh, shhh, sprinkler spritzing on the lawn. Skip-jump in! Shhh shhh. Water tingles, cold and strong."

A sound-oriented romp through summer.

"Juicy burgers sssss sizzle. Find a plate. Grab a bun. Licking fingers, slup, slup. Being messy's half the fun!"

[Alia · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bright illustrations and alliteration make this one good for a Summer themed story-time.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ahhhh- the sounds of summer!

[Breanna · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the rhythm of this one and so does my son! It would be an awesome book for a lesson on onamonapia (words that sound like a noise i.e. bang, slurp, etc.)

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

The sounds of summer perfectly captured in a picture book.

[Olson Family Matters · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yay! A word sound book that Madelyn enjoyed!!

[June · Rating 4 out of 5]

A young girl enjoys all the sounds of summer. 6/26/13

Used again 2014.

Went over real well again.