Summer Stinks [Hardcover]

Marty Kelley (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 3 and up

Summer stinks. What more do you need to say about a hot, sweaty, bug-riddled season? Well, Marty Kelley, author of Fall Is Not Easy has a few things to say (and draw) about summer--26 of them, in fact. Summer Stinks, Kelley's paen to the "estivally dispirited," takes a comic look at both the alphabet and summer. From "A is for ants" to "Z is for [bug] zapper," Summer Stinks is a seasonal treat that you can enjoy all year long.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

reS-Gr 1-This is a rhyming litany of summertime woes for pessimistic readers or, according to the title page, "An alphabetical lexicon for the estivally dispirited." The text ranges from "Ants that ate my whole snack" and the "Bug that crawled down my back" to the "Yacht that just sank in the lake" and the "Zapper I touched by mistake." The last spread depicts a boy looking through the window of an empty classroom, with text that reads, "Twenty-six reasons this season's a bummer;/At least I can say there's no school in the summer." Each letter appears in upper- and lowercase with a single sentence beneath a framed watercolor illustration. The entire frame overlays a black-and-white background with a miniature pattern that picks up the theme of the painting. For example, tiny outline drawings of pails and shovels are the background for "C is for Castles the tide washed away." The bold, cartoonlike illustrations are reminiscent of Tedd Arnold's work. An additional purchase.

DeAnn Tabuchi, San Anselmo Public Library, CA

Copyright 2001 Cahners Business Information, Inc.

Review

The bold, cartoon-like illustrations are reminiscent of Tedd Arnold's work. -- School Library Journal

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 3 and up
  
• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Zino Pr Childrens Books (August 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559332913
• ISBN-13: 978-1559332910
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 9.2 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,192,182 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars 26 Reasons why Summer Stinks, July 24, 2008

By 

Barbara Bell (San Carlos, CA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Summer Stinks (Hardcover)

This is one of the funniest books I have ever read! I buy it for children who are complain of being bored during summer vacation. With each letter of the alphabet, Marty Kelley outlines why summer stinks.

You're thinking, "What's so bad about summer?" Well, melting ice cream cones for one and mosquitoes for another. By the end of the book, you will also be convinced why summer stinks and school is not such a bad idea after all!

5.0 out of 5 stars Summer Stinks, November 12, 2002

By 

Seth's Mom (Orlando, FL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Summer Stinks (Hardcover)

Marty Kelley went to college with my husband and we always loved the cartoons and columns that he wrote for Impact while he was here(far more R-rated, but how I miss Mad Dog!). I was so excited when I learned about the children's books he had written! I love all three of his books, and read them to all our little visitors! I can't wait to pass his silliness along to my own children! I highly endorse this book! What a great way to get children interested in reading, with silly rhymes and colorful pictures! 5 STARS for Marty!

5.0 out of 5 stars Another Winner by Marty Kelley, May 21, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Summer Stinks (Hardcover)

Marty Kelley's books are just great. So far I have Summer Stinks and Fall is not easy, I am hoping he comes out with the other seasons soon. My daughter loved this book, and the pictures are so cute.

We heard about Mr Kelley originally when he visited my child's school in NH to do an "author visit". He read some of his stories, told the children about being an author, and even had the children participate while he made some funny drawings with the kids. My daughter and her friends loved the visit, and the teachers I spoke with thought it was really fun too.

I highly recommend all of Marty Kelley's books -