THE fun fair? In real life I've never encountered one called a "fun fair," let alone THE fun fair.
In this way, right from the book's title, knowledgeaTHE fun fair? In real life I've never encountered one called a "fun fair," let alone THE fun fair.
In this way, right from the book's title, knowledgeable readers are informed that what they read will be very oversimplified.
Funny thing is, kids who read at Level 4 are generally brighter and more curious than most adults. It is possible to write simply for these kids without assuming that . . .
SHORT and YOUNG equal STUPID.
SUMMING UP, REGARDLESS
Anyway, readers learn about fun things to do at THE fun fair.
My least favorite sentence here:
"Shall we get on [the large ferris wheel]?
We must be mature if we go that high in the air.
Mature? Really?
Still, kids may enjoy this book, with the colorful pictures and lighthearted approach (akin to the nutritional content of cotton candy). So FIVE STARS....more
I was flabbergasted (and delighted) by the original, interactive storytelling in this brilliant chapter book.
Familiar tales, like "GoldiFlabbergasted!
I was flabbergasted (and delighted) by the original, interactive storytelling in this brilliant chapter book.
Familiar tales, like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" are adapted, made contemporary, recounted with contagious enthusiasm.
HIGHEST PRAISE for this book. In addition to FIVE STARS.
Reviewing picture books here at Goodreads, I've encountered many a brilliant chapter book. These are hard to write for very young readers. But this one uplifts the whole genre of Picture Book Fiction with Chapters. Astounding!
Merged review:
Flabbergasted!
I was flabbergasted (and delighted) by the original, interactive storytelling in this brilliant chapter book.
Familiar tales, like "Goldilocks and the Three Bears" are adapted, made contemporary, recounted with contagious enthusiasm.
HIGHEST PRAISE for this book. In addition to FIVE STARS.
Reviewing picture books here at Goodreads, I've encountered many a brilliant chapter book. These are hard to write for very young readers. But this one uplifts the whole genre of Picture Book Fiction with Chapters. Astounding!...more
The author and her family learned a great deal from becoming gardeners.
All they started with was one small potted plant. Things did not go as planned.The author and her family learned a great deal from becoming gardeners.
All they started with was one small potted plant. Things did not go as planned.
Overall, the very motherly-and-wise author makes this point: Trying something new isn't always easy. Sometimes, though, the hardest work can lead to a huge reward.
I'd like to single out the illustrator as well. Julianna Swaney creates a world of order and beauty, a gentle world that is welcoming to children and gardeners, to sensitive people of any age.
FIVE STARS for a lovely, lovely keeper of a book....more
The topic is thrilling. Or could be. Planting a garden in spring? Let's learn what we can from this easy reader.
Spring brings a change in weather. UltThe topic is thrilling. Or could be. Planting a garden in spring? Let's learn what we can from this easy reader.
Spring brings a change in weather. Ultimately, spring is the best season for growing a garden to provide edible crops. For example: Growing corn, beans, and tomatoes.
Photographs are well integrated into the text. Even the act of naming the models who pose for the big, shiny pictures makes quite a difference, in the opinion of this Goodreader. Which of these two version of the text on Page 13 appeals most to you?
CHOICE 1. A boy puts VEGETABLE seeds in the ground. He will cover them with soil.
CHOICE 2. Dan puts VEGETABLE seeds in the ground. He will cover them with soil.
FIVE STARS for a simple book that is reader friendly, as it really needs to be in order to appeal to such young readers....more
At least the author and publisher make a bit of an effort with this book about farmers. Unlike the atrocious ONE-STAR BOOK I just reviewed, "Farm."
ReaAt least the author and publisher make a bit of an effort with this book about farmers. Unlike the atrocious ONE-STAR BOOK I just reviewed, "Farm."
Readers here are invited to "Take a tour of the farm as you learn all about plows."
All?? about plows?
Children who are first learning to read do not have to be promised that they will learn "all about" anything. Is the publisher trying to teach them a lifelong contempt for learning?
Otherwise the book is well organized. Some of the best chapters explor:
* Parts of a Planter * What Seeds Need * Seed Drills
Introducing very young readers to a farm in their community.
It's not an ambitious book, in terms of the content. The publisher couldn't even be botherIntroducing very young readers to a farm in their community.
It's not an ambitious book, in terms of the content. The publisher couldn't even be bothered to write anything in particular about this book for the back cover. Instead there's just boilerplate about the lackluster series.
Nor was there an English-language edition listed here on Goodreads. I think it's safe to say that for the publisher, this wasn't a labor of love. Merely a way to get some cash from the market for books of this kind.
Huge photos. Stingy prose. For instance, on the double page spread at Pages 4 and 5, the text reads:
"The cows give milk." Mostly photos here.
I wouldn't be surprised if the big takeaway for readers was, "Books are stupid. All I like are the pictures."
Usually I rate books in terms of the intended readers. Only I doubt that the publisher gave a hoot or a moo . . . about this book. ONE STAR is all it deserves. For shame!
I'm all for a book that teaches young readers about Michelle Obama's garden. But this book doesn't jibe with what I learned about that project during I'm all for a book that teaches young readers about Michelle Obama's garden. But this book doesn't jibe with what I learned about that project during the Obama presidency.
As I recall, the goal was educating school-age children about the values of healthy eating.
By contrast, this narrative held all the charm -- for me -- of overcooked canned green beans. Maybe the better simile would be pablum.
Lavishly illustrated, the pictures of vegetables and plants were cute. But the pictures with First Lady Michelle Obama and the children? Ouch. They struck me as saccharine.
In the author's note, Sharee Miller admitted that, "I took some creative license to tell this story, but it was inspired by true events."
Because the author meant well, and also because it's better to have THIS book at my public library . . . rather than NO books about First Lady Obama's kitchen garden, okay. FIVE STARS it is....more
Children who are barely able to read may get whiplash from reading this overly ambitious book. Makes me wonder -- not for the first time -- about the Children who are barely able to read may get whiplash from reading this overly ambitious book. Makes me wonder -- not for the first time -- about the editors at DK, now owned by Penguin Random House.
Seems to me, this imprint is a cash cow. Though not a kind of cow that could survive on a real farm.
DK books don't bother with little details, like putting the author's name on the cover of a book. As an author myself, I can only imagine the stingy payment received for this book, and the harsh working conditions.
Maybe no surprise . . . .
SOME PUBLISHING GENIUS DECIDED TO MAKE THIS BOOK ABOUT A YEAR ON A FARM
And this for emerging reasons who barely know what seasons are in the first place!
Apparently it would have required too much imagination for this book to name the fictional farmers being visited, so they're all just called "the Farmer."
* Most exciting in this book? The pictures.
* Most exciting in the text of this book? Perhaps it's the "busy Red Tractor who's helping out."
I'll rate this book at FIVE STARS in the hope that some children would be overwhelmed by a book with any imaginative leaps, which might distract those hardworking kids from laboriously sounding out one word at a time....more
Plodding but persistent. That, to me, is Sophie Geister-Jones doing her job as the author of this book.
The plodding tone is established right on the fPlodding but persistent. That, to me, is Sophie Geister-Jones doing her job as the author of this book.
The plodding tone is established right on the first page:
At the Farm
We go on a field trip to the farm. We see a tractor in a field. The tractor can pull heavy things.
However, readers never see what those "heavy things" might be.
Teaching kids about what happens on a farm, that just-quoted sample can give you an idea of the super-surfacey approach. Would it have cost the publisher extra to add a bit of human interest? Maybe some charm?
I wonder how many cute details Sophie put in, only to have them edited out by somebody who produces these "little blue readers." (When a series name is all lower case, readers are in story for a very dull ride. What, no enthusiasm allowed, not even over the name of the series???)
Sigh! I'll give this book FIVE STARS. It's not bad, so much as insipid....more
Educational fiction, in the spirit of Dr. Seuss. How much fun is that?
What is it like, running a family farm?
Readers find out, with the Cat in the HatEducational fiction, in the spirit of Dr. Seuss. How much fun is that?
What is it like, running a family farm?
Readers find out, with the Cat in the Hat as their tour guide.
He's spending a day on the farm with Mr. and Mrs. Greenbean. Their three human children aren't called "children" but "little Greenbeans."
Fortunately, they have more normal names too: Jean, Dean, and Baby Irene!
Readers encounter vicariously:
* Cows being milked * Chickens being fed * Sheep being sheared -- as though that happens on a daily basis? Hello! * Crops growing. * Fertilizing the fields. * Then having to mow them.
All this happening in just one day? Maybe it strains credulity, but the rhymes may help to lull all but the most skeptical young reader into credulity.
Does it really help kids who can barely read, asking them to call themselves "nerds"? Whether or not they are thoughtful children who have the patiencDoes it really help kids who can barely read, asking them to call themselves "nerds"? Whether or not they are thoughtful children who have the patience and curiosity to earn the name "nerd"? Seems to me it's a little premature, asking these kids to join any social group or clique.
THAT SAID, THIS BOOK IS FUN
Readers are gently introduced to:
* The moon * The sun * Every single planet in our solar system. * Gravity * And what it means to orbit a planet.
The artwork aims for cuteness. So do little dialog exchanges, set off with pale blue cartoon "blurby things." (The official name for these escapes me right now.) For instance:
Nerdy Baby 1: "I can see my house!" Nerdy Baby 2: "No, you can't."
FIVE STARS, due to all those cuteness points....more
This Goodreader considers it quite an achievement. Author Deborah Lock provides a Level 1 Reader, imbuing with education and action. Weaving all the dThis Goodreader considers it quite an achievement. Author Deborah Lock provides a Level 1 Reader, imbuing with education and action. Weaving all the details into a story that can bring compelling interest to those elementary school readers.
Awesome? I think so.
MEGA MACHINES ARE BUILDING A BRAND NEW SCHOOL
What is involved? Young readers find out how much it really takes, building a new school.
Vivid details, cleverly illustrated, take to a busy construction site. Hey, it's noisy. And so much goes on, between the bulldozers, the diggers, and all cement mixers.
THERE'S FAR MORE TO BUILDING A SCHOOL THAN READERS MIGHT EVER HAVE THOUGHT
* First, the site itself must be prepared. * Next, so much work must be done, thanks in part to the Mega Machines. * Until they read this book -- or live as adults for another 30 years -- kids may never consider all the finishing touches required. * And once upon a time, something similar happened in order to make the school where the readers are students now!
Finally, very appealing to kids at the Level 1 Reading stage of life, it's so exciting, that the school is inaugurated. Readers may be able to smell the brand new furniture being carried into the building.
Educational fiction.Young readers are invited to feel as if they're grownups, getting the inside story about a truck driver and his problems.
Such a clEducational fiction.Young readers are invited to feel as if they're grownups, getting the inside story about a truck driver and his problems.
Such a clever angle into this story!
Readers learn how a trucker named John prepares to do his work. If this book were really creative nonfiction, as it pretends to be, certain details would not be allowed in the narrative. Such as:
Today was no day to get lost!
But hello! This story is 100% fictional, yet it's written so cleverly that I am shelving this book under both FIVE STAR rating and WRITING.
truck driver's rig and some of the problems he encounters as he picks up and delivers his cargo....more
Science diluted to the point where it's more like a pretty story. Nonetheless, that's appropriate for the intended readers here. Since these are emergScience diluted to the point where it's more like a pretty story. Nonetheless, that's appropriate for the intended readers here. Since these are emerging readers in the process of learning how to sound out words and sentences.
This first-person narrative tells the story of a child who is being introduced to being a pilot. Supposedly this fictionalized, sanitized, and simplified story gives readers a "behind-the-scenes" perspective on working as an airplane pilot.
I'd call it a "scratch the surface" look. But hey, I'm in favor of doing whatever it takes to help open up the world to curious, brilliant young humans!
THIS STORY IS SIMPLE
Aunt Ro and the narrator visit an Air Fair. They meet pilots who fly all sorts of air-worthy vehicles, including:
* Seaplanes * Hot air balloons * Cargo planes
FIVE STARS for this book, because every learner of every subject . . . has to start somewhere....more
Here on Goodreads I just read, for the first time, that the author has publicly admitted to fabricating this story. Therefore, this moneymaker of a puHere on Goodreads I just read, for the first time, that the author has publicly admitted to fabricating this story. Therefore, this moneymaker of a publication has been withdrawn from print.
Which comes as a relief to me, since I strongly disliked this book! To me, it had the ring of falsehood. I read in horrified fascination, as in, "Who would dare to lie about Heaven?"
In addition, what else did I notice about a book that seemed to try way too hard?
Heavy religious beliefs were overlaid onto the boy's experience. As if a great deal of moist bacon grease had been poured over the manuscript, and allowed to set: Picture a few thin pages, covered with a foot of lard in every direction.
I suppose it's always a temptation, when an Evangelical -- or other person with a strong religious agenda -- writes about a Near Death Experience. So tempting to add as much religious teaching as possible! Perhaps this is meant to prevent the "ignorant" readers from making The Big Mistake and landing in Hell for all eternity.
Funny, I never heard of Jesus teaching people to lie . . . for their own good.
Like the excellent rhyme in the title of "Zachary Zormer: Shape Transformer," this is a fine work of fiction, scaled to young readers. And educationalLike the excellent rhyme in the title of "Zachary Zormer: Shape Transformer," this is a fine work of fiction, scaled to young readers. And educational, to boot.
At the start of this story, our hero Zachary finds out that he made a mistake. He didn't come prepared to class on Friday. All he brought was a piece of paper, that happened to be in his pocket.
"Oh rats, I forgot! I was supposed to bring in something fun to measure."
But when he is called on, inspiration dawns. Zachary makes a mobius strip, and explains it.
Later in the book, this clever boy makes a paper frame large enough to step through. He also improvises a light show. This demonstrates how the sun heats the earth.
FIVE STARS for a brilliant book that is also well illustrated . . . and tremendously entertaining....more
Here's an approach to learning math that is sooooo kid friendly!
"Subtraction is simple when big bears count, sort, and take away tiny teddies."
PsycholHere's an approach to learning math that is sooooo kid friendly!
"Subtraction is simple when big bears count, sort, and take away tiny teddies."
Psychologist Jean Piaget discovered the cognitive stage of "Concrete Operations." That's a stage all young learners must go through. In this book, it's done by means of colorful bears being counted.
For instance, here are some very concrete instructions to readers:
Spread out the bears. Sort them so thatr you have six groups of different colors. Each group is called a set.
Excellent! Definitely, I consider this to be a FIVE STAR BOOK.
Wow! Problem solving at its finest, if you're a puppy.
Actually that problem solving would also be excellent if you were a human reader, and five yearsWow! Problem solving at its finest, if you're a puppy.
Actually that problem solving would also be excellent if you were a human reader, and five years old.
Puppy loves to build and loves to snooze. Hmmm . . . Could he build a bed for a snooze?
But all he had available were blocks: - Rectangles - Squares - And triangles. - NOW WHAT?
Readers witness determined problem solving. Since Puppy tries again and again and again. Until he feels "dog tired."
Yet Puppy won't give up. Eventually he finds a way to fit together blocks of different shapes and sizes. It works! Puppy arranges those blocks so they fit together to build a bed that's just the right size for a nap.
FIVE STARS. I just love this book. All the illustrations are great too, not only the text.
My favorite drawing shows Puppy, terribly frustrated. A screaming caption says, NOW WHAT?
And poor little Puppy is crying.
Fabulous picture. To me, he looks just like a baby.
As for that happy ending? Even more fabulousness!...more
How delightful! Kids receive a sweet education in how to measure. It's as though, through this book, they make a new set of friends. And not just the How delightful! Kids receive a sweet education in how to measure. It's as though, through this book, they make a new set of friends. And not just the adorable teddy bear on the cover of this book.