Jumping Day - Hardcover

Barbara Juster Esbensen was the 1994 recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children. Her books include Who Shrank My Grandmother's House? and Words with Wrinkled Knees.

Maryann Cocca-Leffler is the author and illustrator of Bus Route to Boston and Clams All Year. She lives in Amherst, New Hampshire.

PreSchool-Grade 1-Resplendent in her purple leotards with pink flowers and red rubber boots, a little girl jumps all the way to school, up the stairs, under the spray of the water fountain, over chairs, and down a mountain of pillows. Esbensen captures the energy and delight of a child at play with clear, rhythmic verses. Lovely images such as "Lightning/jumps over the land/and lights up/the fort in my tree" reflect how youngsters relate to the natural world. The text encourages participation: "Raindrops/jump into my hand./SPLASH!/How many drops do we see?" Equally inviting are Cocca-Leffler's brilliant acrylic, pastel, and colored-pencil paintings that vibrate with color and also reflect a child's perspective. An excellent addition to storytime collections that will leave listeners jumping for joy.
Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canada
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