Day: April 22, 2009

A Garden of Opposites

| Tasha

A Garden of Opposites by Nancy Davis

This bright, graphically-interesting and fun book offers pairs of opposites in a garden setting.  The opposites are very basic such as open/closed, long/short, and asleep/awake.  Davis’ illustrations are big and bold, filled with bright colors that will shout out to a group easily.  Equally likeable is the font and text size which will work well for reading aloud but also for new readers just figuring things out.

Recommended as a cheery spring opposite book, this one is perfect for toddlers ages 1-3.

Sir Ryan’s Quest

| Tasha

Sir Ryan’s Quest by Jason Deeble

Inspired by his toy knights and castle, Ryan creates armor out of a pot and heads out on his quest which leads him up the mountain, through a jungle, into the castle and down to a deep, dark cave.  On his way, he finds different creatures who give him items to help him.  All of this takes place in Ryan’s imagination as he moves through his house.  Young readers will immediately understand that he is playing pretend and will eagerly wait to see what he pretends about next.

I love books where children are using their imagination and this one is straight-forward in its approach but allows children to see what is happening in a young boy’s mind.  It made me want to pull on a cloak and find a sword to swing, and I am sure young listeners will feel the same.  Deeble’s text is filled with wonderful medieval phrases and yet remains child-friendly.  His illustrations are much the same way with their simple style that offers hints as to the imaginary world that lives within them.

This book will work well as a read aloud, but I would have plans for playing pretend afterwards and be ready with a shield to deflect sword swings.  Appropriate for ages 3-5.