We are pleased to participate in Eco-Libris’ Green Books Campaign with this review of Mama, Is It Summer Yet? by Nikki McClure.  Last year, we reviewed Let Me Out! How to enjoy the school run, as part of the campaign.  This year, the number of bloggers participating has risen to 200, twice as many as last year, and we are honored to be reviewing this delightful book!

Mama, Is It Summer Yet? is beautifully illustrated using amazing paper cuts. I am in love with book just for the images; however, the text is equally as pleasing.  The basic premise involves a child asking his mother if it is summer yet.  She responds by making observations about nature to help her child learn about the seasons.

Mama, is it summer yet?

Not yet, my little one.

But the earth is soft.

Soon the seeds will sprout and root.

Mama, is it summer yet?

Not yet, my little one.

But the swallows are singing.

Soon warmer winds will blow.

The repetitive line by the child not provides a central framework for the plot, but offers a great opportunity for pre- and early readers to participate in the read aloud of this beautiful book.

Repetition of this book’s title question ties together responses and scenes of a child and his mother as they wait for warmer weather. It’s a long winter, but small signs of the coming seasons are there each day. The days pass with a graceful swirl as the most delicate of paper-cuts detail budding trees, squirrels nesting, soft earth for seedlings, young ducklings following their mother, swallows circling overhead, and blossoming trees, culminating in the anticipated delight of summer berries.

When I first reached the conclusion of the book (when it is finally summer), I questioned the author’s choice of choosing berries ripening as a sign of the season.  I usually think of berries as a fall fruit, as that is when the wild blackberries are in abundance around my home; however, the illustrations depict strawberries.  Strawberries ripen in our garden in June, so this is a very appropriate way to end the story.

Eco-Libris Green Books Campaign features reviews of books printed on environmental paper.

On Nov 10, at 1 p.m., 200 bloggers will simultaneously publish reviews of 200 books printed on eco-friendly paper to raise consumer awareness about considering the environment when making book purchases. Participation this year has doubled from 2009.

By turning a spotlight on books printed using greener methods, Eco-Libris aims to raise consumer awareness about considering the environment when making book purchases. This year’s participation of both bloggers and books has doubled from the event’s inception last year.

The 200 books to be reviewed are in a variety of subjects including cooking, poetry, travel, green living, and history, and come from 56 publishers from the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. that are participating in the Green Books Campaign.

Mama, Is It Summer Yet? is printed on recycled paper and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers. I highly recommend this book for all ages to enjoy, including adults.

Disclosure:  I was sent a free review copy of this book in order to participate in the campaign.  Prior assurances as to the nature of the review, whether positive or negative, were not given.  No financial payments were accepted in exchange for the review.  The review reflects my honest, authentic opinions.