Beginning Readers
By Staff -- Curriculum Connections, 4/1/2006
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K-Gr 3 –These three stories featuring the amusing adventures of a vole and his groundhog best buddy are bound to have youngsters asking for more. Comically charming watercolors tickle the funny bone while the pitch-perfect text is a pure pleasure to read. B
GUEST, Elissa Haden. Iris and Walter and the Field Trip. illus. by Christine Davenier. 44p. (Iris and Walter Series). CIP. Harcourt/Gulliver. 2005. RTE $15. ISBN 0-15-205014-0. LC 2003027022.
K-Gr 2 –In this satisfying introduction to the excitement and routines of class trips (in this case an aquarium), Walter inadvertently gets separated from the group. Iris's range of emotions upon losing and then finding her best friend are reflected in expressive watercolor drawings. B
MCNAMARA, Margaret. The First Day of School. illus. by Mike Gordon. 32p. (Ready-to-Read, Robin Hill School Series). CIP. S & S/Aladdin. 2005. PLB $11.89. ISBN 0-689-86915-0; pap. $3.99. ISBN 0-689-86914-2. LC 2004016672.
K-Gr 2 –One or two simple sentences per page are paired with animated cartoon illustrations to tell the story of a boy named Michael and his disappointment when he realizes that his dog, Cookie, won't be joining him in school. B
ROBERTS, Bethany. Ogre Eats Everything. illus. by Marsha Winborn. 48p. Dutton. 2005. RTE $14.99. ISBN 0-525-47291-6. LC number unavailable.
K-Gr 2 –First appearing in May Belle and the Ogre (Dutton, 2003), this unlikely duo features a plucky little girl and her hairy blue friend. In this title, May Belle teaches Ogre to garden, read, and paint as alternatives to his favorite activity–eating! Humorously detailed illustrations capture the fun. B
RYLANT, Cynthia. Henry and Mudge and the Great Grandpas. illus. by Suçie Stevenson. 40p. (Henry and Mudge Series). CIP. S & S. 2005. RTE $14.95. ISBN 0-689-81170-5. LC 98-18317.
K-Gr 3 –When Henry's family visits his Great-Grandpa Bill, who happens to share a house with several other great-grandpas, all the “boys” go for a swim in their “skivvies” while Mom stays behind to cook a spaghetti dinner. Still fresh and original. Winner of the 2006 Theodor Seuss Geisel Medal. B
The Case of the Fidgety Fox (Readalongs for Beginning Readers Series). cassette. 21:03 min. Live Oak Media (liveoakmedia.com). 2005. 1 cassette or 1 CD with paperback book, ISBN 1-50519-404-5: $16.95; cassette with hardcover book, ISBN 1-50519-405-3: $25.95; cassette with 4 paperback books, ISBN 1-59519-408-8: $18.95; CD with paperback book, ISBN 1-59519-408-8: $18.95; CD with hardcover book, ISBN 1-59519-409-6: $28.95; CD with 4 paperback books, ISBN 1-59519-410-X: $31.95.
PreS-Gr 3 –In the sixth entry in Cynthia Rylant's “The High-Rise Private Eyes” series (HarperCollins, 2003), Bunny Brown and Jack Jones–a rabbit and a raccoon–must discover who took bus driver Melvin's lucky fluffy dice. William DuFris gives each character a distinctive voice against a background of well-chosen music. A
Our Teacher's Having a Baby. (Carry Along Book and Cassette Favorite Series). 1 cassette. 11:32 min. with paperback book. Prod. by Charlesberry Prods. Dist. by Houghton Mifflin (houghtonmifflinbooks.com/audio/). 2005. ISBN 0-618-56931-6. $9.95.
K-Gr 2 –Eve Bunting's picture book (Clarion, 1992) receives excellent treatment in this read-along version. Mrs. Neal's first-grade class is excited, anxious, and bewildered at the prospect of their teacher having a baby. The dramatization features both adult and child actors, with distinctive voices for each of the characters. An engaging, well-paced version. A
Read-Along Fun with Curious George (Series). 4 CDs. range: 17:49-26:31 min. with paperback book. Houghton Mifflin (houghtonmifflinbooks.com/audio/). 2005. $9.95 ea. Includes: Curious George (ISBN 0-618-60922-9); Curious George Goes to a Movie (ISBN 0-618-60386-7); Curious George's First Day of School (ISBN 0-618-60565-7); Curious George Feeds the Animals (ISBN 0-618-60387-5).
PreS-Gr 3 –The timeless antics of Margret and H. A. Rey's Curious George are given new life in these read-along series titles, which faithfully follow the text of each story. Accompanied by minimal musical interludes, the stories are read once with page-turn signals and once without. Sound effects occasionally offer pertinent information about unspoken parts of the story, such as the splash of water when George takes a dive into the ocean. Engaging tales sure to be in demand. A
Chateau Meddybemps. www.meddybemps.com. Jerry Jindrich. (Accessed 1/24/06).
K-Gr 3 –One of the best sites on the Internet for young readers, Chateau Meddybemps provides a beautifully crafted, interactive way to practice reading. A variety of cartoon characters is showcased, including humans and animals, and even a few fruit. Some stories are available in both English and Spanish versions and the site features tales in short and long forms. Games and parent and teacher guides are available. W
