CALENDAR

Livingston’s brief, through-the-months poem gets a vibrant treatment in this appealing picture book. There's one short line for each double spread, providing the accomplished Hillenbrand with plenty of possibilities for the bright, mixed-media, full-bleed pictures full of references to the work of Ezra Jack Keats. A busy girl festoons the ex-Christmas tree with treats for the birds in January, proudly shows a Valentine paper chain in February and flies a rainbow-striped box kite in March. At “Picnics are July,” she and her family sit silhouetted against a sky lit with fireworks. For “September whistles by,” a school bus’s headlights cut through the early morning fog, as the backpacking, lunchbox-clutching girl clings to a grown up’s hand. December garners three wintry double spreads plus a glimpse of Santa on the final page. A short, sweet treat for storytimes, and a nice impetus for families to discuss their own activities through the year. (Picture book/poetry. 3-6)