13. Lemons are not Red by Laura Vaccaro Seeger

Bibliographic Citation:

Seeger, Laura Vaccaro. Lemons Are Not Red. Brookfield, Connecticut: Roaring Brook Press, 2004. 32p. ISBN 1-59643-008-7 

Awards/Selection Lists:

Starred Reviews: Kirkus, School Library Journal

ALA Notable Book, 2005

Child Magazine Best Book of the Year

Kirkus Editor's Choice

Format Examined:

Hard cover

Annotation:

Colorful paintings with shaped cut-out windows represent the color that the shaped item is not, and what color it truly is when the page is turned.

Personal Reaction:

Each page of this book reveals a familiar object with an incorrect color showing through the object's cut-out shaped window. When the reader turns the page, the object's correct color is shown. The first object used is a lemon-- which is not red, but yellow, which is revealed when the page is turned. New objects then appear on the following pages, with new cut-out windows and colors behind each of them. This concept book provides a humorous and fun way to match  objects with their colors.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 3-5 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Colors, shapes, humor

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge: 

Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills: 

The humorous mismatching colors and shapes invite children to actively participate in this book. The simplicity of the book also lends itself to children retelling the story on their own.

Phonological Awareness: 

Phonological awareness is not a direct focus of this book.

Print Awareness:

Print awareness is addressed by this book through large, black lettering, which is printed on each page, along with color names in bold uppercase letters. 

Print Motivation: 

The format with cut out windows and colorful artwork along with the humor used in providing "incorrect information" that children are able to correct makes this a book that children will want to read on their own.

Vocabulary:

The objects that are provided through illustrations are mismatched and then matched with correct colors to help teach color concept words. Colors are identified through the illustrations and by the use of large, bold, black letters. 

Author/ Illustrator Website:

http://www.studiolvs.com/website_root/StudioLVS_Home/Home.html

10. I'm as Quick as a Cricket by Audrey Wood

Bibliographic Citation:

Wood, Audrey. Quick as a Cricket. Swindol, England: Child's Play (International), 1998. 24p. ISBN 0-85953-664-5

Awards/Selection Lists:

N/A

Format Examined:

Board book

Annotation:

A young boy compares all the things he can do best to different animals in the wild.

Personal Reaction:
The boy in this book shows young children that they have many different qualities that make up who they are. Through describing himself in ways such as "quick as a cricket" and "slow as a snail", as well as "loud as a lion" and "gentle as a lamb", the character in this story also teaches the concept of opposites. The illustrations are vivid and the rhyming text is fun, making children want to join in on the reading of the book.

Age Recommendation:

I would recommend this book for children 12 months-4 years of age.

Themes/Issues:

Self-esteem, personality, opposites

Early Literacy Skill Value:

Letter Knowledge:
Letter knowledge is not a direct focus of this book.

Narrative Skills:
The rhyming text, detailed illustrations, and use of opposite concepts on side by side pages encourages children to get involved in the telling of the story.

Phonological Awareness:
The text emphasizes the sounds of words through rhyming text.

Print Awareness:
Simple, one-line sentences are printed on the bottom of each page, under the illustrations, and blocked off by a white strip. This highlights the printed text, encouraging children to take note of the words that match the illustrations above.

Print Motivation:
This is a happy book that connects to children because it is about them. The text is simple and fun to read together.

Vocabulary:

The text uses rhyming text to teach opposite concept words throughout the book.

Author/ Illustrator Website:
Author website: http://www.audreywood.com/ 
Illustrator website: http://www.audreywood.com/audrey-wood,-don-wood,-and-bruce-wood/childrens-book-illustrator-don-woods-biography