Michele Sobel Spirn has written more than seventy books, videos, and filmstrips for children, as well as several award-winning films for adults. She lives in Brooklyn, NY.
Kindergarten-Grade 2 - Two easy-to-read selections. Spirn's book is classic second-grade fare. When Mark gets the part of the turkey in the Thanksgiving play, his older brother teases him, telling him that he will be eaten at the end. The day of the performance, Mark plans to save himself from embarrassment by hiding behind the other children, but ends up saving the day. Colorful artwork captures the action and provides visual clues. There is nothing new to this plot but youngsters always enjoy holiday stories, and stage fright is something everyone can relate to. In Baa-Choo, funny illustrations feature Sam the lamb (there is lots of good rhyming in the text). He has a cold and cannot sneeze. He goes to several barnyard residents for help and each animal offers assistance - tickling him with a feather, sprinkling pepper - until a goat kicks up enough dust to result in a successful outcome. So successful, in fact, that the creatures are blown away with the sneeze. This story will appeal to children who are not quite ready for longer sentences and more difficult vocabulary. - Susan Lissim, Dwight School, New York City
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