What's Opposite?

October 1, 2000
PreS-K-Swinburne explains opposites while depicting them in his vivid, full-color photographs. "Cars and trucks on the highway go in opposite directions" is accompanied by a picture of a divided road with a truck heading one way and a car going the other. The page format varies. Sometimes a two-page spread is devoted to a set of opposites; sometimes two pictures on one page show the contrast. The second half of the book invites participation. The picture on the right side of the spread asks a question, and the answer appears after the page is turned. The photos of children demonstrating the concepts appear to be posed rather than spontaneous, but the youngsters look natural and appealing. The concept of opposites is explained well and the book design fights boredom.-Lucinda Snyder Whitehurst, St. Christopher's School, Richmond, VA

Copyright 2000 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.

September 1, 2000
Ages 3-6. From the author and illustrator of " Lots and Lots of Zebra Stripes" (1998) and " Guess Whose Shadow?" (1999), this handsome book of photographs explores the concept of opposites. A few of the pictures focus on objects, but the vast majority feature individuals and small groups from a multiracial crew of children who look as though they're having a good time showing the differences between dry and wet, sour and sweet, and so on. The simple, pleasing layout and clear, colorful photos give this book its great visual appeal, while the brief text invites responses from children. A good choice for preschool and primary-grade units on opposites.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2000, American Library Association.)