That is Not My Hat!

August 1, 1998
K-Gr 3-These books will add a breath of fresh air to beginning-reader collections. The stories center on a group of friends who live near a small park in an urban neighborhood. The events and dialogue reinforce the "Real Kids" in the series title and will strike a chord with children who are experiencing the same dilemmas and delights as the characters. Being the last one to lose a tooth, running a lemonade stand, and looking for a lost hat are not plots that cover new ground but in these titles they are made interesting and appealing by fresh voices and crisp, full-color photographs. The print stands out clearly when boxed on top of the photographs and against the white background of the page. A strong selling point of this phonics-based series is the vocabulary that can be mastered by many first graders but will interest older children as well. A section for parents at the back of each book includes tips on encouraging beginning readers and phonetic guidelines. Solid alternatives to the usual fare.-Maura Bresnahan, Topsfield Town Library, MA