Week 5-Reading Response 1: Beginning/Transitional Books


Willems, Mo. We Are Growing! Hyperion Books for Children, 2016. ISBN: 978-1484726358 

Mo Willems's book We Are Growing! is classified as level one. The text is large and clear, making it easy for early readers to follow. It is also simple and often consists of short, manageable phrases. The sentences are generally short, aiding in comprehension for beginning readers, while the language is simple and accessible. The text is broken up into color-coded dialogue bubbles to show the conversation between the blades of grass, making it easier for the reader to follow along. This book uses a lot of repetition and humor, which helps engage young readers and reinforces learning. 


Pizzoli, Greg. The Book Hog. Disney-Hyperion, 2019. ISBN: 978-1-368-03689-4 

Greg Pizzoli’s The Book Hog is categorized as level two. The text features a wider range of vocabulary while remaining accessible. Some words are multisyllabic, introducing readers to more complex language. The text is presented in manageable chunks, and there is a balance between text and illustration, making it engaging without overwhelming. The book maintains good visual balance, which supports comprehension and interest. The story emphasizes a love of reading and books, which can inspire young readers. 


Hale, Shannon, and Dean Hale. The Princess in Black. Illustrated by LeUyen Pham. Candlewick Press, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-7636-6510-4 

Shannon Hale's The Princess in Black is considered a transitional book because the text is still large enough to be easily readable but smaller than in earlier levels. It is denser, with more lines per page and longer, more complex sentences. The text flows more naturally, resembling standard chapter books. The right-hand justified margins give the book a more formal appearance, aligning with transitional readers' abilities. The book remains visually accessible, with ample margins. The book's structure is not the only thing that supports readers transitioning from picture books to chapter books. The language is approachable, making the transition to more complex texts engaging and accessible. But it's the story that truly shines. It includes elements of adventure and humor, which can captivate and sustain the interest of young readers, instilling confidence in its ability to keep them engaged.


Comments

  1. Jen CJune 11, 2024 at 2:05 PM

    Insightful categorization in these titles. Any could be expanded to a solid formal review.

    ReplyDelete

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