Cool Time Song - Hardcover

Carole Lexa Schaeffer and Pierr Morgan have collaborated on many books together, including Someone Says, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.

Kindergarten-Grade 3–As the sun comes up on the African savanna, the animals seek shelter from the rising swelter. The Earth rotates, the sun goes down, and the creatures' movements create what Schaefer calls a "cool time song." "Kudus and zebras drum with their hooves–Puh-tuh. Puh-tuh. Puh-tah"; "And hyenas howl–Haroo-hee-hee. Haroo-hee-hee-hee." This song rises from the cooled planet and sifts back down as a message for the people of the world: " 'Care for the water.' 'Tend the land.' 'Laugh together.'" The text is particularly strong in the first three quarters of the book, with vivid descriptions of how some of the animals cope with the heat ("elephants must crust themselves with layer upon layer of dust to protect their tough, thick skins"). The final message, however, seems jarring, interrupting the smooth charm and rhythm of the earlier text with a point that would have been better shown than told. Morgan's rich illustrations are full of texture, color, movement, and, most of all, atmosphere. They radiate the growing heat of the day, and are awash in layers of evening cool. This is a terrific book for art teachers to use to introduce lessons in color and line. Purples change from hot to cool depending on adjacent colors. Pair this title with Graeme Base's The Water Hole (Abrams, 2001) for a mini-lesson on protecting Africa's natural resources, or use it to generate discussions of day and night.–Mary Hazelton, Elementary Schools in Warren & Waldoboro, ME
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