Ethan Out and About: Brand New Readers » (SLIPCASE)

Four simple stories about playing outside that will make new readers eager to keep going!

Sharon Oliver - Children's Literature

This charming "Brand New Readers" issue follows Ethan through four adventures. He plays with his cat, learns to ride a bike with Dad's help, feeds the birds and inadvertently shares his lunch with his fellow park creatures. The use of a controlled vocabulary and illustrations that exactly match the text make this an excellent choice for the novice reader. "Ethan holds a cat. The cat runs away. Ethan chases the cat." The stories are short, amusing (Dad falls off his bike, too) and contain enough of everyday life for children to see themselves in Ethan's shoes. Instructions for parents are included as well as short story introductions meant to be read aloud by the adult, which are excellent additions. The watercolor and ink illustrations are lively and colorful without being overwhelming. The book is ideal for Kindergarten and first grade classrooms and elementary school libraries. 2002, Candlewick Press,