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Summer (Beginner Books(R)) by Alice Low

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A classic is given a colorful new look in the delightful Summer from Alice Low. Originally published in 1963, this story recalls the the small treats of this warm season, like watching fireworks and fishing. Two friends and a dog wile away the days as they play, laugh, and discover the wonders of the summer together. This reissue features vibrant, new colors sure to bring a smile to any child's face.

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1963

26 people are currently reading
262 people want to read

About the author

Alice Low

43 books11 followers

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5 stars
289 (46%)
4 stars
174 (28%)
3 stars
122 (19%)
2 stars
29 (4%)
1 star
6 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for Luisa Knight.
3,219 reviews1,196 followers
August 26, 2025
It's not too surprising that I absolutely adore this book - summer is my favorite season! And this book wonderfully embodies everything I love so much about it. The many iconic scenes of summer have been woven together so nicely with rhyming prose and delightful illustrations, perfectly capturing the lively and humorous moments we so cherish.

Penny and Cal love it too.

Take a sneak peek inside the book: watch my Summertime Medley reel!

Ages: 2 - 6

Content Considerations: kids (one might be a girl) have their shirts off in a couple pictures - not detailed.

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Profile Image for Stacy.
1,003 reviews90 followers
April 14, 2018
A celebration of all things summer. My edition is from 1963, to my surprise there is a much more recent edition. As we were reading, my granddaughter noted how the rhymes were very much like Dr. Seuss's, and they are-- not nonsensical, but the style. And to my shock is WAS originally created Dr. Seuss, so I am a bit confused as to why Alice Low is listed as author.
Profile Image for Deb (Readerbuzz) Nance.
6,418 reviews335 followers
June 2, 2023
Today is the beginning of my summer. What better way to celebrate than to read this little book?! Every delight of summer---swimming, swinging, fireworks, fireflies---is in this little charming story. All with a bit of rhyme, of course.
49 reviews
October 6, 2016
1. Summer is about all of the great things that come with summer. Like the sun, heat, and all the yummy foods to eat. This book just goes into detail about all the things these kids enjoy about summer!
2. 2nd grade
3. This would be a good book for reading. Its a simple book but has quite a few pages and it will start to introduce larger books to students.
4. Any student will benefit from reading this because its enjoyable.
5. For small groups the students could read this together and make lists of what they enjoy during the summer. It will be a good interactive activity for them.
6. As a whole class the teacher could use this book as a read aloud at the end of the school year since summer is coming!
7. Alice Low has written several books!!
8. You can listen to this audio online (i suggest reading it because its catchy).
Profile Image for Jenny.
352 reviews
Want to read
May 30, 2008
Cute illustrations. It reminds me of all the things I love about summer!
Profile Image for Eric Keegan.
Author 11 books23 followers
November 29, 2021
Adorable little book that encapsulates the best feelings, memories, and emotions of summertime.
Profile Image for Pam.
1,432 reviews
May 25, 2014
This book kind of annoys me. The text has facile rhymes that don't engage, and it's much to long. Also, I don't like the illustrations,not my kind of artwork. The kids do like it, though, so I gave it 2 stars instead of 1. Definitely wouldn't read it if it weren't for the reading every kids book project.
2,263 reviews5 followers
June 24, 2010
I thought for sure this was written by P.D. Eastman, but it is actually by Alice Low. It is a nice go-along with "Snow" and is actually better than "Snow" in my opinion. My son didn't know what croquet was, and so learned a new word from this book!
Profile Image for Madkropotkin.
246 reviews
November 17, 2010
My son read this book to us tonight. I really liked this book, I am a Summer baby after all. My son was pointing out somethings we do during the summer time and we all laughed. This is a good little book that is well written and excellently illustrated that brings joy to all of the family.
Profile Image for Summer.
515 reviews35 followers
May 30, 2014
I LOVE the illustrations in this book, and the story just makes me happy. It brings back fond memories of magical childhood summers. I'm so glad to be able to now witness the joy that summer brings through the eyes of my son. I love reading this book to him.
Profile Image for René.
229 reviews2 followers
June 3, 2014
We have the 1963 edition from my childhood that my grandmother read to my sister and I. My six year old really liked it, it was an easy read aloud (probably a level 2, for length). The pictures and the rhyme scheme are engaging, but the dog, of course, wins the prize :)

Profile Image for Tara Carpenter.
1,141 reviews12 followers
February 24, 2011
One of my favorites from childhood. A few years ago I started reading it to my kids, and last year my oldest started reading it to his brothers without me!
76 reviews
April 3, 2013
Good book for learning words that rhyme and for Word recognition as some of the words are repeated over again.
1,393 reviews14 followers
Read
December 24, 2013
AR Quiz No. 130133 EN Fiction
Accelerated Reader Quiz Information IL: LG - BL: 2.0 - AR Pts: 0.5
Accelerated Reader Quiz Type Information AR Quiz Types: RP, RV
162 reviews1 follower
Read
May 1, 2017
Mommy and Daddy started reading this book to me recently, and it gave us an idea to go on a family picnic yesterday.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Hannah McGee.
30 reviews
November 2, 2017
An absolutely adorable book about the fun you can have in the summer, this book provides a fun way to learn about poetry. For me, I would use this book in my classroom as a fun introduction to poetry. I could use it as a fun way to introduce poetry to my students. It would allow my students to have a fun way of learning about poetry. Poetry is a hard topic to talk about to get some students to understand or even to get them interested in it. Summer is a fun way for teachers to introduce the topic of poetry.
Profile Image for Lindsey Greer.
285 reviews71 followers
May 29, 2019
A very cute beginning book. Summer makes you miss you the season a little bit when you read it! It tells the reader all the fun possibilities of summer! It has a good rhythm to it & has a lot of expression in it. It is easy to relate to for kids & in diverse ways. An enjoyable quick read for the classroom.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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