Finding Joy in the Pages of Summer Vacation, Here I Come!
As summer rolled in, I found myself overwhelmed with excitement (and a hint of anxiety) at the thought of having my little ones home for those long, lazy months. One night, while wrestling with bedtime stories and a wriggly toddler who just wouldn’t stay still, I stumbled upon Summer Vacation, Here I Come! by D.J. Steinberg. The thought of celebrating summer’s joys through poetry seemed too perfect to resist.
From the moment I opened the pages, I knew this book would resonate with my kids. This delightful collection of sweet and funny poems encapsulates all the charm and chaos of summer vacation. Steinberg’s playful verses whisk us away on adventures—think splashing in pools, road trips filled with “Are we there yet?” and catching fireflies at dusk. It’s like a cozy flashback to my own childhood summers, all wrapped in delightful rhyme.
As I read aloud the first poem, my three-year-old, Ellie, perked up with wide eyes. “Mommy! Look at the kids in the pictures!” The illustrations are vibrant, bursting with color and capturing every silly moment of summer they describe. Each page turned sparked giggles and joy, and I found myself getting lost in the playful energy radiating from my children as they connected with the characters’ experiences.
One of my favorite moments was the poem about going on a family road trip. It perfectly mirrored our own recent experience—shouting out infinite snack requests and “I need to go potty!” just a few miles down the road. My five-year-old, Jake, laughed at the funny words Steinberg chose, particularly when it came to that delightful chaos of travel. “Mommy! They forgot the snacks and the toys!” he exclaimed, his giggles echoing through the room. This definitely captured the spirit of summer misadventures that we all know too well.
What truly brought this book to life, though, was the surprise of stickers tucked at the end. After each little adventure in the poems, we’d pause, flipping to that glossy page, where Jake and Ellie excitedly picked out stickers to decorate their summer drawing. It encouraged a lovely interactive moment, one where they could share their own summer plans, enriching our reading experience into a full-on summer celebration.
I’d recommend Summer Vacation, Here I Come! for children aged 4-6, especially those who relish a bit of imagination and humor. Whether your child is a fan of poems or not, they’ll find something to connect with in these cheerful verses. It’s a perfect way to usher in summer, encouraging kids to get excited for the adventures that await them—whether it’s splashing in the pool or chasing butterflies.
In our hectic world of parenting, this book felt like a sweet invitation to slow down and enjoy a shared laugh. For my family, it’s not just a one-time read; it’s become a staple of our bedtime routine, a comforting reminder of the simple joys of summer and the bond we share over these shared stories. If you’re on the lookout for a delightful addition to your children’s bookshelf, I cannot recommend this charming collection enough. Grab a copy, cozy up together, and let the summer magic in!
