________________ CM . . . . Volume XX Number 13 . . . . November 29, 2013

cover

Spark.

Kallie George. Illustrated by Geneviève Côté.
Vancouver, BC: Simply Read Books, 2013.
44 pp., hardcover, $12.95.
ISBN 978-1-927018-24-8.

Kindergarten-Grade 3 / Ages 5-8.

Review by Jane Whittingham.

*** /4

   

excerpt:

Spark went into the kitchen.

The clean dishes were piled in the sink.

He stood by them.

He breathed in.

He breathed out.

WHOOSH!

Out came a big flame.


Whatever is a little dragon to do when he can't control his fire? That's the dilemma facing Spark, the charming star of Kallie George's early reader, Spark.

internal art      Poor Spark just can't seem to get his fire-breathing right. His attempt to toast marshmallows ends with a WHOOSH and a CRACKLE CRACKLE, and drying the dishes results in a WHOOSH and a CRACK CRACK. Even Spark's dreams of fire turn into a POOF of smoke and flame. Spark begins to fear that he might never get the hang of being a fire-breathing dragon like his Mama and his Papa. But as Spark, and young readers, will discover, sometimes getting it right just takes time.

      George's short, simple sentences will engage emerging readers, and the sound effects (WHOOSH, CRACK, POOF) make Spark a delight to read aloud. Spark's boundless enthusiasm and determination will enchant readers, and the story's gentle encouragement will reassure young children facing their own challenges.

      Geneviève Côté's playful, childlike illustrations are filled with warmth, and bring Spark and his loveable family and friends to life.

Recommended.

Jane Whittingham is a student in the Masters of Library and Information Sciences program at the University of British Columbia.

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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