Prepare for a pessimist's view of the
sights, sounds, and smells of spring. From a baseball breaking
a window to allergies, weekend rain, a runaway kite, and a
scary thunderstorm, a wild-haired blond girl shares her
less-than-thrilled impressions of the season. There are yuck
moments: "I sniffle snot and blow it out," balanced
by lines of sublime description, such as when a kite line
"sizzles through my hands." Even if children buy into
the narrator's mood, they won't be able to resist a grin thanks
to Kelley's watercolors. The perturbed expressions the girl has
for brilliant birds' too-early serenade and for Dad
inadvertently mowing over toys are especially humorous. The
varied compositions, from landscapes to a white-backed single
portrait, make a most pleasing visual bouquet. For teachers,
this rhyming list of complaints provides an ideal example of
counterpoint when coupled with almost any other book on the
season.
School Library Journal
