Out and About at the Theater

March 1, 2007
Gr 2-4-Each book opens with a series of basic questions a class will answer during the field trip that follows. For example, "Baseball" focuses on the size and capacity of the stadium and includes a tour of the clubhouse, training room, and press box. The students meet various workers, such as trainers and groundskeepers and a bat boy and bat girl. In the press box, they see "the microphone where the radio announcer describes the game and tells people at home what's happening." Each book adheres closely to its formula, including a simple activity and a few "fun facts" in the back matter. The language is carefully limited to the simplest vocabulary, and it borders on oversimplification. The generic introductions fail to add context or perspective to the subjects. The design is clear, but the digitally rendered, color cartoon illustrations are awkward and add little. These titles have been crafted to the needs of primary-grade readers, but there are many better choices on these topics."Marilyn Taniguchi, Beverly Hills Public Library, CA"

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