My Dream Playground (Kaboom!) - Hardcover

Becker, Kate

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0763655317 ISBN 13: 9780763655310

Publisher: Candlewick, 2013

Synopsis

A resourceful little girl with big ideas becomes a key part of the team when a community of family, friends, and neighbors builds a playground.

Right now there is just an empty lot down the street, but this little girl dreams that one day there will be a playground — a real playground, a fun playground — right in her own neighborhood. When she sees a man measuring the empty lot, she’s sure that he’s there to help make her playground dream come true. And he is! Inspired by the real story of the first-ever playground built by KaBOOM!, a national nonprofit that has helped build more than two thousand play spaces across the country, here is the tale of how a determined young girl, with the help of her family, friends, and community, makes her dreams of a playground in her own neighborhood a reality.

About this title

About the Author

KaBOOM! is a national nonprofit dedicated to bringing play to kids who need it most. Their mission is to create great playspaces through the participation and leadership of communities. Founded in 1996 by Darell Hammond, KaBOOM! envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child. Learn more at kaboom.org.

Kate Becker is the vice president for program management at KaBOOM!. She lives in Washington, D.C.

Jed Henry has illustrated several children’s books. This is his first with Candlewick Press. He lives in Utah.

From School Library Journal

PreS-Gr 2–From her apartment window, a young girl gazes out at an empty lot and wishes it could be transformed. In her sketchbook she draws her vision, complete with slides, swings, monkey bars, and trampolines. When a man with measuring tape and a clipboard arrives, she enthuses, “You're here to build the playground, aren't you? ...I just knew you would come.” The character is inspired by the real-life example of the driving force behind the first playground built by the nonprofit organization KaBOOM!. As project manager, the narrator works side by side with Darrell Hammond, KaBOOM!'s founder, and a crew of volunteers. The digital illustrations show the evolution of the project, from childlike stick drawings to workers digging holes and cutting wood, and, finally, the completed playground. The story is thin on details, but it captures the child's excitement and could spark discussions on community engagement and teamwork.–Linda Ludke, London Public Library, Ontario, Canadaα(c) Copyright 2013. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

About this edition

• Publisher: Candlewick
• Publication date: 2013
• ISBN 10: 0763655317
• ISBN 13: 9780763655310
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 32
• Illustrator: Henry Jed