My Toys Have Shapes. (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9457-8 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9413-4 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Shapes-Juvenile literature. Geometry-Juvenile literature. Toys-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	Baby Animal Names. (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9465-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9421-9 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Animals-Infancy-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	The Clothes I Wear. (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9468-4 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9424-0 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Clothing and dress-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	I Am Growing and Changing. (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9466-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9422-6 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Children-Growth-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	I Can Do It! (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9467-7 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9423-3 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Ability-Juvenile literature. Self-actualization (Psychology)-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	Where Am I? (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9481-3 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9437-0 (RLB.). Subject Headings: Geography-Juvenile literature. Geography-Terminology-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	Rodent Rap. (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9482-0 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9438-7 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Rodents-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	What Do I Need? (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9480-6 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9436-3 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Basic needs-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4
	These Are My Friends. (My World). Bobbie Kalman. St. Catharines, ON: Crabtree, 2010. 16 pp., pbk. & hc., $6.95 (pbk.), $15.16 (RLB.). ISBN 978-0-7787-9483-7 (pbk.), ISBN 978-0-7787-9439-4 (RLB.). Subject Heading: Friendship-Juvenile literature. Grades 1-2 / Ages 6-7. Review by Robert Groberman. *** /4

excerpt:

Land has different shapes.
In some places, the land is flat.
In other places, the land I high.
The different shapes of land
Are called landforms.

High, rocky landforms are all around me.
They are called mountains.
I am sitting on a mountain with my friend.
We climbed all the way up here! (From Where am I?.)

In each of these eight books, four from level C and four from level F of the "My World" series, author Bobbie Kalman leads the beginning reader on a colourful photographic and word journey where vocabulary words are introduced and reinforced with images.

      The first page is titled "Words to know" and contains 6 to 10 key vocabulary words for this book, each with a photo. For example, "The Clothes I Wear" introduces us to "hat," "spring or fall clothes," "raincoat," "jacket," "rubber boots," "summer clothes," and "winter clothes." Equally simple but more season specific vocabulary is introduced in the body of the book as author Kalman ties the ideas together with a photograph of children dressed in each type of clothing in the appropriate environment.

      The final page of each book is a "Notes for adults" page which includes extension ideas for children to take their new knowledge and skill to read a recommended book, help others, or play a game to reinforce skills.

      All eight books are attractive to the readers and engaging with colourful pictures and interesting vocabulary which aid the making of meaning.

      The C level guided reading books contain limited vocabulary for the early reader. The F level books contain more variety of sentences, such as questions in Where Am I? and rap rhymes in Rodent Rap.

      Kalman's use of sentence variety, clear vocabulary and excellent supporting photos makes the books in this series a valuable resource in the teaching of beginning reading.

Recommended.

Robert Groberman is a grade three teacher at Kirkbride Elementary School in Surrey, BC.

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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