Cool Time Song

by Carole Lexa Schaefer, Pierr Morgan (Illustrator)

On the sunbaked earth of the savannah, kudus and zebras, giraffes and lions move slowly through the hot African day, looking for shade, leaves to nibble, a resting place. Everything is quiet. But when the sun sets, a cool time settles on the savannah and the song begins. Puh-tuh. Puh-tuh. Puh-tuh, drum the zebras with their hooves. Vroo-oot. Vroo-oot. Vroo-eet! trumpet the elephants. And the lions roar Grr-mrow-ool! Like heat, their cool time song rises and spreads, sifting down to people's ears in words. With beauty, respect, and a dose of imagination, Cool Time Song shares an anthem that everyone should hear-love and protect our earth.

Genres: Picture Books, Animals, Childrens, Africa, Storytime

32 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

When Carole Lexa Schaefer was growing up, she wanted to be both a poet and a journalist. In an unexpected way, she feels she achieved her ambition. While studying for a master's degree in early childhood education, she once put together a picture book made of photo essays. "The lyrical, every-word-counts genre captivated the poet and journalist in me," Carole Lexa Schaefer recalls--and she's been writing stories for children ever since. Her first book with Candlewick, THE COPPER TIN CUP, traces the origin of a family keepsake that's been handed down for generations. "It was inspired by my connections with my immigrant relatives through stories and songs--invisible heirlooms--to keep handing on," she says.

The longtime director of a Seattle preschool that she founded in 1980, Carole Lexa Schaefer often draws on her experience with young children when writing stories. In DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, not one of the baby animals in the woods is ready to go to bed, until Grandma Owl finally finds a way to settle everyone down. The author says she was inspired "by all my friends at Little Friends Preschool who like to play just a little bit longer--even at sleepytime." Luckily, preschool teachers now have some help at nap time: DOWN IN THE WOODS AT SLEEPYTIME, says PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, is a book in which "author and artist make bedtime about as appealing as it gets."


With her next books, Carole Lexa Schaefer switches gears from sleepytime to partytime. FULL MOON BARNYARD DANCE is a rousing read-aloud that showcases farm animals dancing as they learn to appreciate their differences. ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, a zany counting book, follows one fun-loving family on Family Parade Day as they roll along on an ever-increasing number of wheels--Gramma on a motorcycle, Sister on a trike, and Grampa on some snazzy skates. Of ONE WHEEL WOBBLES, Carole Lexa Schaefer explains, "I wanted to create a counting book for children with which they could have a rollicking good time."


Carole Lexa Schaefer, who has a master's degree in early childhood education from the University of Washington, taught school for ten years in places as varied as Taiwan, Switzerland, and Micronesia, as well as Missouri and Washington. Born in St. Louis, Missouri, the author now lives in Seattle.

Reviews

[J · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one of those books that I was actually really interested in but didn't reach the expectations that I would have thought for a book like this. The book does a wonderful job in introducing the reader to the African savannah and some of the various animals that struggle to survive there, especially on some of the hottest days.

What bothered me about the book was the beginning. I can't really place my finger on why the beginning was so long although I think it was since of the long run-on sentences when something more simple could have worked. Or it could have been the fact that perhaps it seems like the telling is a retelling of an oral story although no credit is given. And it could have also been due to the fact that at places it looks like it should be a rhyming story but it really isn't. Maybe it is a combination of all of those facts or something altogether different.

Meanwhile the second half of the book was actually a lot better for the reader is given a chance to enjoy the animals together in their peace when the day has cooled off. Unlike the silence and heaviness of the first half the second part of the story lets loose with animal and other nature sounds. For those who are able to get musical instruments this could be a fun and very interactive part of story if they should choose to do a musical refrain.

Otherwise I did enjoy the illustrations for the animals for the most part are realistic looking even though they still contain cartoonish elements. Instead of doing common type animals mostly there are a few thrown in that aren't quite as common and the colors capture the right background for both parts of the story. But what I find out of the illustrations the most beautiful part is how the sun is portrayed in numerous color bands that give the reader an understanding of just the height of the heat.

This is definitely going to be a trial-and-error type of book on whether young readers may enjoy it or not. Otherwise if you want to teach them a starter about the savannah or even some green messages than it could fulfil a purpose but otherwise best left to its own reading.

[DivaDiane SM · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly, my 3 year old son really likes this one. Well, it might not be so surprising. He loves the animals and he loves making the elements of sing they're responsible for (Shah-ticka!) and every so often we look for the peace dove on each page.

[Alex Kartak · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about what kudus, elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, and hyenas do during a scorching hot day when the sun is beaming for a long time. The sun weakens all these animals and when it's that time that the sun goes down, the animals walk together down to the pond. At this pond, it is known that they create a "Cool Time Song." The animals all have a natural instrument sound or noise that they make to add to the song, and there is also words to this song, so humans can sing as well.
This is a lovely book about how animals act in the wild during a hot day. I even learned a new animal family, Kudus. I am still not sure what Kudus are, so I think that kids will also be clueless and may call this animal a gazelle or moose looking animal. I like this book because I learned more about animals and they illustrations are on point.
I would use this book either on my bookshelf or as a class read. I would definitely read this to the class because the language is easy for young kids and I am sure that kids like to learn about animals that they usually don't see unless they go to a zoo or another country. I could also use the song they create in the end of the book as a class activity, like have girls sing one line and the boys sing the next, so on and so on.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice little book about the animals of Africa. The illustrations become very vibrant and colorful during the "cool time song" but are still very nice throughout the book. Would make a great over-sized edition.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

The illustrations and message were good. Care for the water, tend the land, laugh together, Hear the animals peaceful cool time song and people sing along-(with a dove).

[Lisa Delaine Youngblood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Africa
African animals
meter
heat

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personal response- This book was a beautiful book to read for its colorful illustrations and creative writing by the author. I enjoyed how different animals that live in the Savannah were introduced throughout the story with a short description of what they do during the hot day into the cool night. I found it fun that the writing turns animal sounds into a song of the Savannah at the end of the story. I love animals and that is one of the main reasons I chose the book.

Purpose- A curriculum lesson for first through second graders about animals that live in the Savannah would be the best way to use the picture book in the classroom. The best time of the year to do the lesson would be on Earth Day because the overall theme of the story is to protect and love the earth. The teacher could play a CD of "earth sounds" animals make in the Savannah as they do in the story.

[June · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't go over as well this year. I had more babies than toddlers. 2/6/13

Used this for my small group of 2's for story time since the first girl was really into lions. 2/7/14

This was the one the boy wanted because of the lion picture on the front, he was disappointed with the beginning, but they all liked making the animal sounds.

This didn't go over that well in Family Story Time, I should have looked at it again - I think I will replace it with Rain by Stojic.

[Alice Gold · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book is about the sun that beats down on the creatures of the African Safari and how they all take a break at sundown. Didn't really care for it, but it does teach about the power of the sun and the lives of animals.

[Kelly Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is very creative and colorful with the words and illustrations. This book is great for students ages 3 and up! This book will allow children to learn about animals and their roles on earth. It will allow them to respect the earth as a whole!

[Christina Camp · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite books for illustrations. The pictures in this book are absolutely gorgeous. It is also a great book to use when teaching students about animals in the Savannah. It does not have too many words so it would be great for a student who is learning how to read.

[Ina Silverness]

Cool Time Song is about animals in the desert and the sounds they make.
The book can teach students about similes, rhythm, and which type of animals live in the desert. It could be used in the primary grades of students.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple, good for a young group.

[Joann White · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was not a book for young children, Although the illustrations were fabulous. I love this authors' style. This book is more for 2nd and third graders. Loved it.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

(International Book) I really liked this book. It was well-written, and the pictures were beautiful.

[Audrey Harlan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cool book. It allows students to see animals in a certain habitat. I would use this book to also talk about the environment.

[Gail · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure who this book is meant to appeal to. It's kind of hippy dippy. My three year old did not really like it.

[Kansas]

AFG

[Bridgid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great pictures of African animals with an Earth conscious ending.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a good read for younger school age children to get an idea of what the desert is like for animals. It has some good picture as well of these animals as well.

[Kristi Bumpus]

4

[MJ]

not availabe would like to have if comes back in print