In for Winter, Out for Spring - Hardcover

Adoff, Arnold

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0152386378 ISBN 13: 9780152386375

Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books, 1991

Synopsis

The glories of the change of seasons are seen afresh from a young girl s perspective. As the youngest member of a multigenerational family, Rebecca observes and celebrates the changes in both nature and her own family s activities as the year passes. What a celebration indeed. -Booklist

About this title

About the Author

Arnold Adoff is the recipient of the NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children for the body of his work. He lives in Yellow Springs, Ohio. To learn more, please visit www.arnoldadoff.com.

Reviews

PreSchool-Grade 3-- These 28 poems celebrate family life and the cycle of the seasons. Rebecca, the young black narrator, lives in a rural area with her parents and older brother, Aaron; her joy in her family and in the world around her permeates the pages. Poems are about gardening, finding a stray puppy, the weather, the pleasure of walking barefoot in freshly mown grass, and other seasonal events. Activities described are consciously nonsexist: Mom mows and Dad bakes. Adoff begins and ends with the family settling in for winter. Words and letters within words spread and compress across the generously sized pages; a few of the groupings seem contrived. All words are capitalized, which makes for a staccato reading. While the meanings are readily accessible, it will take sophisticated readers to read these poems alone. Pinkney's realistic watercolors stick closely to the text, fleshing out the words with carefully observed natural scenes. A double-page spread that contrasts fireflies with the end-of-summer tomatoes is particularly striking. Page design is nicely varied. These poems would be best read aloud and discussed. --Leda Schubert, Vermont Department of Education, Montpelier
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

This warm, rich picture book about the changing seasons celebrates the comforts of home and family. "This House," says narrator Rebecca, "Is The Center." In the course of the year, the African-American girl enjoys the first snowfall, helps her father plant trees, takes cover from a spring storm and, throughout, receives loving support from her family. One caveat: unlike e.e. cummings's work, in which the typography and unconventional capitalization directly relate to the sound or sense of each poem, there seems to be little reason for the elaborate form Adoff uses here. Odd spacing between words, text set in vertical columns (composed frequently of single words), and all words capitalized--these seem to be somewhat pretentious devices, almost certain to confuse readers. Pinkney's ( The Talking Eggs ; Pretend You're a Cat ) exceptional watercolors--from a plate of cookies to a spider's dewy web--are characteristically vibrant and appealing. Ages 4-8.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Harcourt Children's Books
• Publication date: 1991
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152386378
• ISBN 13: 9780152386375
• Binding: Hardcover
• Illustrator: Pinkney Jerry
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 48