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The story begins with soft life creeping through the window, throwing sparkles of light around the room. A Black girl, her hair in beaded braids and springing out from under a hair bonnet, stretches in the morning sun. She looks out the window, seeing the bright sun, green trees, and swooping birds, anticipating the fun of a summer's day. There's berries and fruit for breakfast in the kitchen with her parents, swimming in the pool with friends, double dutch jump roping, and picnics and treats with family and friends. The crowd of children, and our heroine, end the day by blowing delicate, rainbow-hued bubbles in the air and she returns to her room, peacefully enjoying the cool breeze and the light of the moon. She smiles, her dimple showing, as she wishes summer would stay, looking out at the dandelions bathed by the light of the moon.
The illustrations glow and shine with joy and Jackson has created a truly inclusive celebration showing a wide range of skin colors, clothing, and most uniquely, body types. The main character's mother is full-figured and comfortably wears jeans and t-shirt and hangs out at the pool in a bathing suit. Her friends include children who are white and brown, pudgy and skinny, and they all happily share popsicles, swimming, and all the treats of summer. Her family and friends at the picnic show a wide range of Black hair styles, body types and sizes.
Verdict: Read this aloud in storytime to encourage children to think about all the fun of summer and the simple joys of time with friends and family. Unique for its beautiful art and inclusive depiction of body types, a must-have for most library collection.
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