John, Jory. Bad Seed Goes to the Library, The Pete Oswald, Illus. Easy Read. I Can Read, Level 1 Series. Harper, 03/2022. 32pp. $16.99, 978-0-06-295456-5. PB $4.99, 978-0-06-295455-8. ADDITIONAL. GRADES PRE-2.
The Bad Seed visits the library and finds the perfect book to check out and take home. When an overdue notice arrives, the Bad Seed must decide whether to return the book or keep it “forever and ever and ever.” Based on a best-selling picture book series The Food Group, this I Can Read rendition will find a ready audience drawn in by a funny and relatable character who turns out to be not such a bad seed after all. Described as a Beginning Reader (Level 1), the story’s expressive watercolor illustrations provide visual clues, but beginning readers may be challenged by the text that includes multi-syllabic words, as well as interesting but unusual word choices like “classic,” “fellow,” and “sheesh.” Certain to be checked out frequently, consider recommending it as a “read-together” rather than as a book specifically for newly independent readers.
Jenny Andrus, Independent