________________ CM . . . . Volume XI Number 3 . . . . October 1, 2004

cover

This is Me and Where I Am.

Joanne Fitzgerald.
Markham, ON: Fitzhenry & Whiteside, 2004.
32 pp, cloth, $19.95.
ISBN 1-55041-819-X.

Subject Headings:
Home-Juvenile literature.
Street addresses-Juvenile literature.

Preschool-grade 1 / Ages 3-6.

Review by Reesa Cohen.

*** /4

 

The title says it all. A young child finding his place in the wide world is at the heart of this early years concept book.

In the world
there is a country
In that country there is a city.
In that city there is a neighborhood.
In that neighborhood there is a street.

     Simplicity is the key here, with one phrase per page. But the economy of the text suits the theme when seen through the eyes of a young person. That country, city or neighborhood is not specified, and so that the reader can personalize what s/he is reading. This offering by internal artGovernor-General award winner Joanne Fitzgerald features a warm, softly coloured palette, with characters and scenes that seem almost old fashioned. These charming illustrations are appealing, with interesting vantage points and perspectives. Each page brings the reader closer, narrowing in to the "ME under the blanket." The series of scenes reverses to draw the reader back from the bed in the bedroom, to the house, to the yard, etc. The effect of both story and illustration is to telescope us to more intimate surroundings and then back out again to the wider world.

     This book will also have a place in community units for early years.

Recommended.

Reesa Cohen is an Instructor of Children's Literature and Information Literacy at the Faculty of Education, the University of Manitoba in Winnipeg, MB.

To comment on this title or this review, send mail to cm@umanitoba.ca.

Copyright © the Manitoba Library Association. Reproduction for personal use is permitted only if this copyright notice is maintained. Any other reproduction is prohibited without permission.
Published by
The Manitoba Library Association
ISSN 1201-9364
Hosted by the University of Manitoba.
 

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