Sometimes (Green Light Readers Level 1) - Softcover

Baker, Keith

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0152020020 ISBN 13: 9780152020026

Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers, 1999

Synopsis

Happy or sad? Hot or cold? Up or down? Sometimes you may feel every which way, and that’s just fine. Keith Baker uses opposites and an irresistible banjo-playing, cake-baking alligator to remind us all of one of life’s simplest--and most important--lessons: Anything is possible if you like who you are and you like what you do.

About this title

About the Author

Keith Baker has written and illustrated many well-loved picture books and early chapter books, including several about the charming and lovable Mr. and Mrs. Green. Two of his best-known picture books, Hide and Snake and Who Is the Beast?, are about animals. He lives in Seattle, Washington.

Reviews

Kindergarten-Grade 2-These three easy-readers combine brightly colored illustrations with short simple stories. Readability is determined using the Reading Recovery model, and each book features a meet-the-author section. In Sometimes, an alligator engages in all sorts of activities, such as cooking, ice fishing, and playing the banjo. The text is repetitive: "Sometimes I am happy. Sometimes I am sad." The reptile has lots of expression, and even nonreaders could recite/read this story after hearing it once or twice. Catch Me features a T-rex that frightens all of the other dinosaurs, except for one, who turns out to be his loving grandchild. The illustrations, done in markers, reflect Most's typical flat style. Written in rhyming couplets, Shoe Town is the best of the bunch. After her children move out, a mother mouse just wants to relax in her shoe home. Various nursery-rhyme characters ask to move in, but she insists they get their own shoes. The cow jumping over the moon keeps a count of the population of "Shoe Town" as it grows. Stevens's illustrations are irresistible, and the tale works well as a read-aloud or read-alone.
Sharon R. Pearce, formerly at San Antonio Public Library, TX
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Emerging readers follow the adventures of a busy crocodile in this Level 1 entry in a promising series (see McPhail, below). Baker uses short, direct sentences to describe the emotional and physical experiences of an amiable crocodile. Gently validating children's feelings, the tale explores an array of mental states, from happy to sad, embarrassed to melancholy. A refrain, ``I like who I am. I like what I do,'' reaffirms the crocodile's self-worth, and gives readers a ready chant; gaily colored illustrations adorn the pages, providing visual clues to the context of the sentences. The engaging pictures and familiar experiences are a gratifying combination. (Picture book. 5-7) -- Copyright ©1999, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

For the newest readers, Baker's poetic book offers a repetitive, meaningful text. Each page carries a full-color illustration and one short sentence: "Sometimes I am happy" or "Sometimes I am sad." The refrain that follows ("I like who I am. I like what I do.") is accompanied by a double-page illustration. In these sprightly scenes, the alligator is lying in bed singing and playing his many musical instruments, or decorating special cakes, or painting a still life. This pattern repeats twice more for a total text of 70 words, 21 of which are different. Baker's lively illustrations capture the personality and moods of an alligator, who reflects the many sides of young children. Kathy Broderick

Edition details

• Publisher: HMH Books for Young Readers
• Publication date: 1999
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0152020020
• ISBN 13: 9780152020026
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 20