Borgert-Spaniol, Megan. Amana at School. Rob Parkinson, Illus. My World (Pull Ahead Readers – Fiction) Series. Lerner, 01/2023. 16pp. Reader. GRADES Preschool – 1. $25.32. 978-1-7284-7592-9. Paper $7.99. 978-1-7284-7884-5. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
SERIES REVIEW: Familiar settings and diverse children make this series for the earliest developing readers stand out in the field. Each spread has one simple sentence and bright, cartoon illustrations that match the text very closely, supporting young readers. Short, repetitive sentence structures are well suited for very early readers; e.g., “Amana makes a tree at school.” Amana has a rich brown skin tone and wears a headscarf. Familiar settings will engage children and provide jumping off points for conversations with teachers and caregivers. “Linh sees trees from the train,” as she sits with an older man (perhaps her grandfather) and points out the window. The focus of these books is on familiar situations instead of controlled vocabulary. Illustrations feature children that will appeal to a range of readers, and do not look too young. Each title can be paired with a nonfiction title in the accompanying nonfiction series with the same title. An important contribution to the field of books for developing readers, centering on underrepresented cultures in joyful, recognizable situations.
Mary Ann Scheuer—Independent