National Geographic Readers

August 1, 2019
Preschool-G The National Geographic Readers series (2 new titles) offers beginning readers nonfiction options that focus on science and nature. These Pre-reader volumes are aimed at kids who are ready to read but not yet reading. Both feature an introductory vocabulary tree, listing five simple words to watch out for; vivid, nearly full-page photographs with identifying labels, allowing for strong visual connections; and a simple sentence in a color bar running along the top or bottom of each page. Odd Animals opens with the caveat that being odd can be good! From there, it highlights a few animals with unusual physical features (large-eyed tarsiers, hairy alpacas, unusually shaped leafy sea dragons) and strange behaviors (crested geckos licking their own eyes, Moroccan goats standing in trees). The books' topical spreads are enhanced by eye-catching photos and level-appropriate text made exciting through kid-friendly onomatopoeias. A concluding exercise prompt?in these cases, a drawing challenge and an animal vocab quiz, respectively?adds an interactive element to further engage emerging readers.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2019, American Library Association.)