June 29, 1999: A Picture Book

I have read this book to my son, who is 4 years old, several times. He loved it. The cover of the book was not very appealing for him at first. But, the story was very interesting and he loved the pictures inside the book. I would definetely recommend it to everyone. It is an imaginative and fun book...

This is a great idea for a story that worked quite well. The pictures are lovely to look at too. I loved the ending. There are so many children's books out there of varying quality, so I was pleased to come across this little gem.

It all started in Ho-Ho-Kus, New Jersey on May 11, 1999. Holly Evans launched her science experiment, flats of vegetable seedlings carried up into the ionosphere by weather balloons, to study "the effects of extra-terrestrial conditions on vegetable growth and development." Fast forward to June 29. All over the country, enormous vegetables are seen floating to earth. "Cucumbers circle Kalamazoo. Lima bearns loom over Levittown. Artichokes advance on Anchorage. Parsnips pass by Providence. And broccoli lands with a big bounce in Holly Evans's backyard." But when "arugula covers Ashtabula" , Holly begins to wonder about this veggie phenomenon. Arugula was not a part of her experiment..... David Wiesner's makes June 29th an unforgettable day in his entertaining classic, and imaginations will soar with each delightful page turn. His minimal text, with its witty, dead-pan delivery, is filled with clever wordplay and alliteration. But it's Mr Wiesner's marvelous illustrations that really make this book stand out and sparkle, and youngsters will enjoy lingering over each outrageously detailed and humorous picture. With an inventive twist at the end to bring the whole story to its logical, though fantastic, conclusion, June 29, 1999 is a masterpiece you and your family don't want to miss.

By April, most of the children in my kindergarten knew that they had learned absolutely everything about David Wiesner's "Tuesday". I surprised them one Tuesday, with this book, and let them know it was by the same author. "Will there be frogs?" the children clamored. We shared the book, and with growing excitement some of the children exclaimed as we turned the page and I read the date, "That's your birthday! Did Mr. David, the author know that? Did he put it there 'cuz he knows you love frogs and his Tuesday book?" I must confess, I do not know how the author chose that date to evaluate plants. This book was a hit in my classroom, a treasured favorite, even though it was a bit beyond K level scientific data collections. We planted seeds, and of course, the children adored the ending, which i shall not give away. We did many extension activities such as veggie trays and a big salad day. Bring this book to your classroom, or your home, and celebrate an oft ignored part of the food pyramid.

A beautiful science fiction story that is a superb springboard for an integrated unit. Teachers have used it from the graduate level courses to elementary school classes. Teachers & students wants to test Holly's science experiment for themselves to see if they can grow giant veggies!