PreS-Gr 2 -In a book that echoes not only Gertrude Stein's "A rose is a rose is a rose" (quoted on the dedication page) but also the languorous feeling of summer, four friends spend their time enjoying outdoor activities. From cloud watching and exploring to a carnival and a baseball game to sneezing during a walk through a field, the youngsters engage in a celebration of the season. The rhyming text is bouncy and brief and captures the exhilaration of this time of year with its seemingly endless days and opportunities for fun. ("A rose is a rose/And everything grows-/When summer is summer is summer./A bee is a bee is a bee./A tree is a tree is a tree./Cool in the shade,/Pink lemonade-/Summer is summer is summer"). Whimsical watercolor illustrations feature a dreamy world of fantasy and reality, with layered perspectives and strong patterns that undulate across the spreads. The pages are saturated with color, as vivid hues evoke the lush greenery, the dazzling blue skies, and the warm shades of the children's clothing. The youngsters, who are from different ethnic backgrounds, have round, animated faces that shine with contentment. This offering is perfect for one-on-one sharing and for early readers, who will delight in the scenes of summer.-Marge Loch-Wouters, Menasha's Public Library, WI