Bibliographic Citation:
Walters, Catherine. When Will it be Spring? New York, NY: Dutton Children's Books, 1997. 32 p. ISBN 978-0525458814.
Awards/Selection Lists:
None
Format Examined:
Hard cover
Annotation:
Alfie is a bear cub who doesn't want to go to sleep for the winter until he knows when spring will come.
Personal Reaction:
Alfie's story is one that resonates with parents of children who do not want to go to bed at night. Changes in weather from fall, to winter, to spring, are taught through Alfie's experiences as he waits for spring to come. Children also learn about hibernation as Alfie's mother attempts to get Alfie to hibernate with her through the winter months. Alfie learns to be patient just in time for spring, and then falls asleep.
Age Recommendation:
I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.
Themes/Issues:
Seasons, hibernation, bears, patience/waiting
Early Literacy Skill Value:
Letter Knowledge:
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.
Narrative Skills:
Children are encouraged to help tell the story through recognition of illustrations of familiar seasonal settings.
Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.
Print Awareness:
The text of the things that Alfie thinks he sees is printed in all capital letters in order to connect to the illustrations on the page. This draws a child's attention to the print on the page.
Print Motivation:
This book offers an enjoyable story that children will enjoy hearing every year as they wait for spring to arrive. The illustrations are soft and subtle, and Alfie's confusion provides the opportunity for children to arrive at the correct answers before Alfie does.
Vocabulary:
Children are encouraged through the text to learn about hibernation, as well as to identify what animals and climate changes are a part of the seasons.
Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official website
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.
Narrative Skills:
Children are encouraged to help tell the story through recognition of illustrations of familiar seasonal settings.
Phonological Awareness:
Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.
Print Awareness:
The text of the things that Alfie thinks he sees is printed in all capital letters in order to connect to the illustrations on the page. This draws a child's attention to the print on the page.
Print Motivation:
This book offers an enjoyable story that children will enjoy hearing every year as they wait for spring to arrive. The illustrations are soft and subtle, and Alfie's confusion provides the opportunity for children to arrive at the correct answers before Alfie does.
Vocabulary:
Children are encouraged through the text to learn about hibernation, as well as to identify what animals and climate changes are a part of the seasons.
Author/ Illustrator Website:
No official website
No comments:
Post a Comment