Kid Konnection: The Summer Fairy

Every Saturday, I host a feature called Kid Konnection -- a regular weekend feature about anything related to children's books. This week, I'm going to share with you a delightful picture book that explains a fun new tradition for families with school age children.

Summary: Each year on the last day of school, the Summer Fairy bestows her seasonal gifts and poetic wisdom to families everywhere! This magical story tells the tale of the Summer Fairy and reminds children how to have fun while being safe during the summer season. A reusable flower vase that is stored in the back pocket of the book inspires this new family tradition. Children will relish the magic of summer as they pick a flower in anticipation that the Summer Fairy will soon find her way to their home. -- Cherished Reflections

When I was at BEA, I was lucky enough to meet Elizabeth Kelly Gillihan, the author of THE SUMMER FAIRY. Her gorgeous picture book introduces a new family tradition and makes the last day of school and first day of summer exciting -- or should I say even more exciting?

As the school year is coming to an end, the Summer Fairy awakes from her slumber inside a beautiful flower in an enchanted garden. On summer's first day, she flies to children's homes and brings them summer "essentials" like candy, popsicles, books, sunscreen, and toys! But kids have to prepare first for her visit! On the last day of school, before they go to bed, they have to put a special flower out for the Summer Fairy in the special reusable vase that's included in the back of the book (isn't that handy?)

THE SUMMER FAIRY not only explains the tradition of the Summer Fairy, but it also has some sweet and valuable messages. It instructs that kids need to "follow her wise ways" all summer long. Her advice includes paying attention to parents, having good manners and completing chores. She also provides some summer safety tips like watching cars, not talking to strangers, and (my personal favorite) not getting mud on your mom's clean floors!

Ms. Gillihan decided to write THE SUMMER FAIRY after learning about this tradition from her husband's family. They have celebrated this tradition for over 30 years, and the author decided that it was so much fun for her children that it was time to share it with others!

THE SUMMER FAIRY is illustrated by Jennifer Zivoin, and I thought her illustrations were delightful! I loved the Summer Fairy with her flowery body and hat; however, it was her cameo appearances in the summer fun pages that really made me giggle. On the swimming pool page, the fairy is in a little inner tube riding a wave with a silly expression on her face. Too cute!

I loved the idea of THE SUMMER FAIRY and think it's a great way to kick-off the summer!

Thanks to the author for providing a review copy of this book.

If you'd like to participate in Kid Konnection and share a post about anything related to children's books (picture, middle grade, or young adult) from the past week, please leave a comment as well as a link below with your name/blog name and the title of the book! Feel free to grab the little button too!