Ages 4-8.

In Around Our Way on Neighbors’ Day, a little girl plays games with her friends on a hot summer afternoon. As she makes her way home, she greets her diverse neighbors along the way. Her family then goes out again to celebrate Neighbor’s Day with dancing and family recipe dishes to pass.

Brown’s text is rich with lilting rhymes reminiscent of jump rope songs heard on sidewalks and playgrounds. The catch phrase, “Blue sky, no clouds” repeats throughout the book and starts many rhyming segments. Reading the rhythm of the words aloud brings the excitement and energy of Neighbor’s Day to life.

Riley-Webb wields her acrylics for captivating illustrations. On every page, bold, swirling brush strokes denote busy neighbors’ movement and the haze of summer. Readers see one bird’s eye view of the park through a cloud of bubbles floating up to the sky. Another page captures the blurred motion of uplifted arms as drummers play and a joyous crowd salsa dances.

This picture book celebrates the importance and fun of community events where neighbors come together and spend time with one another. Reading this book will encourage children to think about their own neighborhoods and the special events that they take part in. Recommended. ( )

The rhyming text has a pleasant, bouncy rhythm. Bright, vibrant illustrations. ( )

This picture follows around a little girl going to different places in her community. She knows everyone there and all are gathered to celebrate a day she calls neighbors' day. The story follows in a poetic rhythm that moves like blurs across the page. Illustrations perfectly compliment this style are they show more movement than realistic environments.
Can start a dialogue with students about how well they know their community. ( )

Swirling, vivid paintings full of life, movement and color, celebrate a block party and the warmth and excitement of friends and family. I found the rhythm of Brown's text hard to follow - if you're going to use this in a community or party storytime, be sure to rehearse it first to get the lines to flow smoothly