Illustrated by Elivia Savadier
"I'm hotter than a hot dog
in a campfire!" I said.
"I'm hotter than a salamander
in the sun!" said Granny. Word play. Hot day. Grandma’s got a great idea to cool things off. Hop on the train — the iron dragon — and see where it takes you.
“I’m hotter than a hot dog
in a campfire!” I said.
“I’m hotter than a salamander
in the sun!” said Granny.
Word play. Hot day. Grandma’s got a great idea to cool things off. Hop on the train — the iron dragon — and see where it takes you.
Awards
An IRA-CBC Children’ Choice
ABA “Pick-of-the-Lists”
Weekly Reader Book Club
Reviews
…lyrical text…The startling contrast between the steamy city and the…beach is wonderful.” — School Library Journal.
“Sweet, funny, and right on the mark…Raising this above other “day at the beach” stories is the humor and natural tone…Readers will want to make this trip more than once.” — Booklist.
“This endearing tale of a steamy day’s romp at the beach radiates with the warmth of summertime…Anyone who’s endured a sticky train- or car-trip to a sandy shore will feel transported by this picture book, which stimulates a longing for those hot and hazy days.” “ —Publishers Weekly.
“…delightful slice of city life is made real by the author’s use of concrete details…story of friendship and understanding between a child and her grandmother will be just right to warm up a reader longing for summer days or cool off a reader unable to get to the shore… “ — Horn Book.
“Stories about children and their grandparents rarely offer the vitality and playful give-and-take with language found in “Hotter Than a Hot Dog!”…Throughout, Granny’s a resourceful, witty soul and granddaughter’s the lucky companion.” — Boston Herald
“There are days at the beach and then there are days at the beach….Busy, bright and funny, [Hotter Than a Hot Dog!] is
the story of a little girl and her grandmother, inner-city dwellers, who dodge the relentless heat by making fast tracks to the beach….One of the book’s strengths is this easygoing intergenerational rapport…Stephanie Calmenson’s style …consistent with the pulse of the inner city…communicate the joyous mood of the story.” — Atlanta Constitution
“…lively description transforms an ordinary trip into a special tale…by book’s end, we are as cool as the cheerful pair who return to the city…” — Cincinnati Enquirer