Look Where We Live!

February 1, 2015
The five friends from Ritchie's mapping expedition (Follow That Map!, 2009) now explore their community, helping out along the way. A local street fair to raise money for books and computers for the public library is the means by which Ritchie moves the five friends around the town, introducing community topics, helpers and locations. Though this "street fair" is less a street filled with food vendors, art, entertainment and schlock-hockers than a community open house, it will still hold kids' interest and introduce them to some vital members of the neighborhood. In double-page spreads that address topics such as shopping locally (at yard sales), waiting in line, donating time and money, supporting local businesses, cleaning up and beautifying the neighborhood, and appreciating the elderly, the five friends explain, deliver tips and ask readers questions that will get them thinking about their own communities and how they can identify them, participate in them and make them stronger. An activity in the backmatter gives directions for turning a community drawing into a jigsaw puzzle. As a bonus, readers can seek and find each of the five friends in the busy spreads; though they lack the chaos of Waldo's adventures, there are many details to amuse. An excellent addition for the community shelf, this minimizes didacticism while encompassing many aspects of the topic that are missing from other entries. (glossary, table of contents) (Informational picture book. 4-8)

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April 1, 2015

PreS-Gr 1-This cheery picture book emphasizes the importance of community, describing the different facets of one particular suburban neighborhood. A multiethnic group of young friends-Nick, Pedro, Yulee, Sally, and others-take part in activities together as they prepare for a street fair to raise money for the local library. The neighborhood tour includes some familiar picture book community staples, such as the library and a community garden. Each section also highlights important aspects of living in a community and includes a brief comment or conversation prompt ("Working and playing together help make a community strong"). The sunny illustrations are packed with inviting details and friendly characters. Parents and teachers will particularly appreciate that Ritchie also stresses the role of retirees, local businesses, and ordinary citizens. VERDICT A strong selection for preschool collections in any community.-Rachel Anne Mencke, St. Matthew's Parish School, Pacific Palisades, CA

Copyright 2015 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

March 15, 2015
Grades K-2 A tremendous amount of accessible information is packed into this appealing picture book. Little ones follow five friends as they spend all day at a city-wide library fund-raiser, learning about community resources and responsibilities. Each two-page spread addresses one aspect of local activism, ranging from shopping locally to cleaning up trash to working in the communal garden. The friends also visit civic institutions, including the police station and senior center. Descriptions of festival activities mix in with purposes and rationales for each entity, and the text poses questions that help make personal connections ( Do you play in a park near your home? Do you have an older relative who lives near you? ). The cartoonlike illustrations align closely with the text and allow readers to trace the children's progress throughout the day. Readers are also encouraged to create puzzle maps of their own communities. Pair this with titles from Katie Marsico's What's It Like to Live Here? series to help parents, teachers, and librarians introduce young citizens to their local communities.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2015, American Library Association.)