Day: February 6, 2008

What Will Fat Cat Sit On?

| Tasha

What Will Fat Cat Sit On?  by Jan Thomas.

Fat Cat doesn’t know what he will sit on.  Will he sit on the cow?  On the dog?  On the mouse?  No!  He will sit on the… chair!  Yes!  All of the animals are greatly relieved to find they won’t be used as a seat.  But them comes the final twist of the book, what will Fat Cat have for lunch?  All of the animals run off in terror, especially the mouse.

Thomas’ Fat Cat is a delightful very easy reader that parents and children alike
will enjoy reading.  This is a great beginning reader for a few reasons.  First, the words are simple.  Second, the words are easily figured out from the illustrations.  Third, it has a huge humor factor as well as a repetitive structure that will get kids going and keep them reading.  The illustrations are equally successful with their thick lines and goggle-eyed critters. 

One of the best and easiest readers out there.  Pick this up for your preschooler or kindergartener who is starting to read. 

The Pen that Pa Built

| Tasha

The Pen that Pa Built by David Edwards, illustrated by Ashley Wolff.

This traditional cumulative story tells the process of making a woolen blanket from sheep to the final product.  The wording is wonderfully clear and concise, making reading it aloud a pleasure even to the end.  The illustrations echo back to traditional woodcuts but are enlivened by bright colors.  This is a pleasant glimpse into prairie life and the process of welcoming a new baby into the family. 

Unlike many more cut and dry books on the process of making something, the illustrations and language here add real life to the book.  Recommended for reading aloud to ages 4-6.