Playtime for Restless Rascals

PreS-Gr 1--Grimes phenomenally describes the daily play of a young energetic girl whose activities move throughout her world and the seasons. Readers understand play through the eyes of a young child exploring her surroundings and making work fun in multiple indoor and outdoor activities. Baking cakes and serving tea, creating and dressing a snowwoman, and building trains and trucks exemplify the wonders of early childhood's creative play. Grimes frames this story in the loving home of a mother and father who genuinely care for their daughter; her parents sacrifice their time to encourage the playfulness of their daughter, knowing that her work allows her expertise to shine and grow. Zunon's illustrations are outstanding, adding to the brilliant world of the restless little one. These images allow readers to glimpse the texture of the sun's radiance and the beauty of nature's background in the park. The patterns of the items and animals align with the colorful backgrounds enhancing the storytelling; even the vibrant words and font size lift this story to new heights. VERDICT Grimes crafts an outstanding story igniting a passion for play while mirroring its relationship to authentic work and the fundamental elements of true productivity: lunch, naptime, and winning.--Tanya Haynes