Reading Fun with Curious George Early Reader Boxed Set - ADVISABLE

Reading Fun with Curious George Early Reader Boxed Set.  Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2011. $9.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  As we know, Curious George was created by Margret and H.A. Rey.  But these books only give credit to the pair for having created the character in the books, not actually written them.  What is even more interesting is that the titles are adaptations from the Curious George show on PBS.  The titles included in this boxed set are all Early Reader Level 1, and they are entitled The Dog Show, The Kite, Roller Coaster, The Boat Show, Plays Mini Golf, and Pinata Party.  Also included in this boxed set are stickers, a poster, and a reading certificate.  The truth is that I am happy to have this boxed set.  Since my son is still an emergent reader, he needs all the books he can get his hands on.  Getting six books for $10 is a good price, even if they are not the highest quality books in the world.  The Poster and the certificate are junk in my opinion, but the stickers are fun (kids love stickers).  If you know someone who is a level 1 early reader, then this would be a good gift for him/her.  Pre-K, EL (K-3) - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Mr. Putter & Tabby Ring the Bell by Cynthia Rylant- ADVISABLE

Rylant, Cynthia.  Howard, Arthur.  Mr. Putter & Tabby Ring the Bell, 44 pgs.  Harcourt Children’s Books, 2011.  $14.99. Inside cover: “Dong! Dong! Dong! The school bell is ringing.  The crispy fall wind is blowing.  Mr. Putter wishes he could go back to school- even for just one day.  Then he has an idea: How about a visit during show-and-tell with Mrs. Teaberry, Tabby and Zeke? The teacher agrees, but there’s one problem.  She and the students expect pet tricks.  Will Tabby and Zeke be able to deliver?”  I liked the illustrations in this book.  The story was very funny.  This was as fun and easy book to read.  Pre-K.  EL (K-3). ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewed: JL- age 9.

The L.A. Dodger by David Kelly - OPTIONAL

Kelly, David A.  Ballpark Mysteries 3: The L.A. Dodger  105 pages  Random House, 2011. $4.99  Content: PG.  EARLY READER.  Mike and Kate fly to Los Angeles to see Kate’s father who scouts for the L.A. Dodgers.  While there Kate’s father is threatened that if he doesn’t quit his job that bad things will happen.  Kate and Mike keep their eyes open and see someone who is following Kate’s father as they are going to the different tourist sites.  Eventually Kate and Mike help catch the man and Kate’s father’s stolen possessions are returned and he is able to keep his job.   

This was a fun fast paced transitional reader and there are fun facts about baseball at the end of the story.  EL (3-6)-OPTIONAL.  Reviewer, C. Peterson.

Carl and the Kitten by Alexandra Day - ADVISABLE

Day, Alexandra.  Carl and the Kitten.  Square Fish (MacMillan's Children Publishing Group), 2011. $15.99.  PICTURE BOOK.  This is a book in the My Readers early reader book series.  My review is based on my experience as a father of a five-year-old boy just learning to read.  In the book, Carl the dog must save a kitten that is stuck in a tree.  I like this book.  It is a good story.  Some of the early reader books contain names that kids don't recognize, but they are in the book because a child might be able to sound them out.  I am of the opinion that it's better if the child recognizes the name than be able to sound it out because pulling from prior knowledge is more important than being able to sound out easily but still be confused about what the word is saying.  Carl in this book is a great choice of name.  I know that repetition is good, but sometimes early reader books are too repetitive; in fact, my son sometimes says, "It just said that," because it is too repetitive.  This book uses repetition, but does it in a creative and less obvious way.  This is a good choice for a LEVEL 1 early reader.   Pre-K, EL(K-3) - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher