One Hot Summer Day

A steamy afternoon in the city and the resultant thundershower form the framework for Crews's promising debut. In an engagingly matter-of-fact narration, an African American girl voices colorful observations-``Dogs pant. Hydrants are open''; ``I eat two grape Popsicles in a row.'' Her comments will be familiar to any child who has experienced the season's swelter. As visual accompaniment, arresting multi-perspective photographic collages depict the ebullient girl drawing chalk pictures on the pavement, playing on a swing; with this novel format Crews skillfully captures the childlike wonder at and appreciation of small delights. Spreads of the girl making shadows against the sidewalk and cavorting through the rain are particularly striking. Ages 2-up. (May)