Read Anything Good Lately? (Single Titles)

An alphabetical look at some different places and things to read, from an atlas at the airport to a zodiac at the zoo.

Grade 1-3-From "an atlas at the airport" to "a yoga book in the yard" and "the zodiac at the zoo," a little girl moves playfully along through biography, comics, dictionary, encyclopedia, magazine, poetry, quotations, recipes, and a variety of genres. Reading the "gossip in the grocery line," "updates under an umbrella," and "whatever in the waiting room" are somewhat looser variations on the theme but still acceptable. While relevant, choosing "literature at the library" might perpetuate a stuffy stereotype were it not for the pleasant cartoon illustration of a bean-bag chair, colorful shelves of books, and two little girls-one reading, the other enjoying an active pet rodent. The bespectacled, voracious young reader is supported by a loving family, complete with little brother, cat, and dog, as well as ethnically diverse friends. The pages have white margins for text; balloon inserts are included in the art that gives glimpses of characters reading in the featured settings. The final page offers 11 more "kinds of reading" in search of a place. This book has more value as a catalyst than as an alphabet book or enjoyable story. Though the text lends itself to reading aloud, the illustrations deserve more time. A pleasant addition but not an essential purchase.
Jody McCoy, The Bush School, Seattle, WA
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

K-Gr. 2. Young bibliophiles will increase their literacy with this creative take on alphabet books: from A to Z, different types of reading material are linked to places where they can be enjoyed: "an atlas at the airport," "a biography in bed," and so on. As is often the case in alphabet books, the most challenging letters are a bit of a stretch ("whatever in the waiting room"; "x rays in the examination room,"), but not inappropriate. The range of reading material mentioned is impressive ("gossip in the grocery line"), but even perusing the tabloids is reading, after all. The illustrations are cheerful, colorful, and busy with lots to look at, and the letter in question is colored red in the text and helpfully included in a frame in the upper-left corner of the page. Suggestions for more pairings close the book, giving it some curricular value. Diane Foote
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