My Big Barefoot Book of Wonderful Words

PreS-Gr 2--Fashioned in word-book style, this loosely constructed "story" follows a busy Palabra family, including their pets Crunchy the crocodile and Zanzibar the cat. On colorful spreads, readers view the family members' various interactions from sunrise to sunset. For example, the book opens with "It's morning time at our house. The birds are chirping. Wake up, everyone!" The illustration is a cross-section of the house, introducing the characters and showing everyone waking up, getting dressed, and getting ready for the day. Vocabulary words are incorporated into the art and provide details of their house--kitchen, back door, porch light. Trips to the garden, market, library, and more are included along with more open-ended, direct address spreads that ask readers to decide, "What would you like to wear today?" and choose from clothing options such as salwar kameez, dashiki, kimono, or pink party dress. Another spread states, "Sam wants to be a baker. What do you want to do when you grow up?" Although inclusive of many cultures, this diverse word book lacks a glossary or back matter to assist readers with items they might not be familiar with, like a dream catcher, sari, or solar panels. An additional purchase.--Melissa Smith, Royal Oak Public Library, MI

Inviting acrylic-and-pencil cartoons introduce more than 700 words within the context of such familiar environments as a park, library, and market. A spread featuring the people and businesses on a busy street precedes one devoted to various professions: "Sam wants to be a chef. What do you want to be when you grow up?" Tiny portraits of dozens of workers include a bus driver, artist, reporter, and arborist. Later, the park scene leads to an overview of emotions: "Everyone in the park looks happy and relaxed. How do you think these children feel?" A friendly and diverse cast of characters helps create a book with broad appeal, as well as plentiful whimsical details to examine. Ages 2-6. (Sept.)