2. Title:PumpkinPumpkin Author: Jeanne Titherington Age group: Kindergarten
Cover: It was ingoodcondition, illustrating a youngboy smiling. It alsoshoweda pumpkin, whichwas a subject the
children were currentlylearningabout in class
Text & Illustrations: The text was simple yet challenging andrelated wellto the illustrations. The book waseasyto
followalong, andeducational onthe science of growing pumpkins. The illustrations were realistic rather than cartoon-
like, which wasage appropriate for kindergartens.
Characters: The book has one character, a young boyaroundthe same age as the children inthe classroom, this makes
the storyeasyto followand more relatable.
Plot: Shows howto grow a pumpkin. The seeds, planting the seeds, wateringthe seeds, a little greenpumpkin, the
pumpkin changing to orange, cuttingthe pumpkinandgettingmore seeds from inside to start the process over again.
Fostered development: Language about plantingand the science behind a pumpkins life. Also, counting:whenthe
children read the book ontheir own theywouldcount howmanypumpkin seeds theycouldfind throughout it.
I chose this book for the kindergartens because the illustrations were realistic, the character was relatable andthey
were learning about pumpkins at the time. Theyenjoyed readingit alone andcountingout the seeds rather thanme
reading it to the entire class. I wouldn’t readit to a large group again;it wasn’t funandexciting enough.
Title:Please Louise! Author: FriedaWishinsky&Marie-LouiseGay Age group: Preschool
Cover: Book was in goodcondition, illustration wasfunandabstract to attract the children’s interests.
Text & Illustrations: Text was funto read;it gave a lot of opportunityto exaggerate excitement and change voice for
the different characters. Illustrations were silly& fun for the children to follow along.
Characters: Theywere relatable to anyone with siblings or younger annoying relatives that you love nomatter what.
Plot: A younger sister annoyinganolder brother but at the end he realizeshe loves his little sister no matter what.
Fostered development: Caring for someone else, compassion, and gainingknowledge of the similarities and
differences amongst people. The brother was soannoyed withhissister but when he thought she disappearedhe
realized he missedher andtriedeverything to get her back.
I chose this book for the preschoolers because it was funto readandI thought theywouldenjoythe illustrations.
Theylaugheda lot throughit andshowedinterest inthe illustrations. Theyasked me to rereadthe booknumerous
times throughout the day andwere tellingme what comesnext bythe endof the day.
Title:Are You My Mother? Author: P.D. Eastman Age Group: Toddlers
Cover: The cover is simple and allows for openquestions. For example: “Do youthinkthat’s his mother?, whyor whynot?”
Text & Illustrations: Both are simple and straightforward which eliminates distractions, included funsound effects to soundout
and a repetitive questionto involve the children.
Characters: There’s one main character that the storyfollows and it introduces other characters one at a time.
Plot: The plot is repetitive whichhelps the childrenconnect it. It has a clear beginning, follows a understandable sequences,
and comes to a happyconclusion.
Fostered development: How families are different thanone another as well as learn to think throughproblems. For instance:
the bird didn’t look the same as the other animalsandthe childrenwere tryingto thinkof how theywouldfind their mother in
that situation.
I chose this book for the toddlers because I thought the repetitiveness wouldhelpthem get involvedandthere were a lot of
opportunitiesfor openquestions to ask them. The toddlers enjoyedthis book;theywere interestedandcurious if the bird was
ever going to find it’s mother and theylovedlaughingat the different things the birdwouldask if it was it’s mother. Theyasked
me to read it so manytimesthat theywantedto readit to me bythe endof the day.
Title:PolarBear, PolarBear,What Do You Hear? Author: Bill MartinJr Age Group: Infants
Cover: The cover is a painted animated polar bear;easy for the infantto focus on.
Text & Illustrations: Text is repetitive which helps the infants understand the story.
Characters: No characters to follow,only pictures of different animals which is appropriatefor the infants.
Plot: The animal is repeated to allowtime for the infants to familiarizethemselves with the animal.
Fostered development: Vocabulary on animals,colorsand differences of animals.
I chose this story for the infants becauseitwas smaller than the average book and had thick hard pages so it would be
easier for the infants to handle. Also, I thought the repetitiveness and illustrationswould help introducenew animal
vocabulary.The infants seemed to enjoy the book; they would point to each animal so I would say the animal and
they would try to repeat it. They flipped from page to page and back to the beginning, over and over. I felt the same
after readingthis book; itwas a great book for the infants to familiarizethemselves with different animals and itheld
up well through the infants’roughness with it.
