This sweet and gentle picture book celebrates summer in Japan, as one little girl shares her love for bugs with her cousin who is visiting from America.

Two young cousins who are separated by language, continent and culture meet for the first time when Jill's family travels from America to Japan to stay with Natsumi's family during the summer holidays. Natsumi's nervousness about meeting her cousin from across the sea quickly disappears when she discovers that her cousin is a lot like her: they both love summertime's hot sandy beaches, cool refreshing watermelon, festivals and fireworks. Then Jill asks Natsumi about the strange buzzing sound that comes from the nearby trees, and Natsumi is nervous once again. What if Jill is frightened of Natsumi's cherished cicadas, the insects that sing the music of summertime?

This is a tender, evocative story that celebrates the special pleasures of summertime and of reunions with faraway family and friends. Named one of Kirkus Reviews’ hottest summer reads
One of CCBC’s Best Books for Kids and Teens Fall 2020
A 2021 Bank Street Book of the Year

PRAISE FOR Natsumi's Song of Summer:

"Immersive illustrations and rich poetry urge young readers to slow down and appreciate nature." --STARRED REVIEW, Kirkus Reviews

“The vitality of Jill and Natsumi bubbles through on every page.” --CM Reviews

"A pleasant choice for a summer or insect-themed storytime." --Booklist

“Natsumi’s cross-cultural friendship with Jill centers on a shared love of natural life and models openness to new experiences.” --Publisher's Weekly