Get the Ball, Slim

June 1, 1998
PreS-Gr 1-Two beginning readers illustrated with clear, full-color photographs of people and props dramatically placed on all-white backgrounds. The books feature twins Tim and Jim playing with their dog (Get the Ball, Slim) and Tess cleaning her room only to begin her messy cycle again (I Like Mess). The characters' exaggerated expressions give the stories the feeling of a staged drama but provide readers with obvious picture clues. The controlled vocabulary, sight words, and use of rhyme and context clues (only a few of the words used are not pictured) make these phonics-based stories appropriate for just-beginning-to-read students. Each book includes practical suggestions for reading with children and helpful phonics guidelines. Parents and teachers who are always looking for more books at this level will be delighted with these titles, but kids especially will enjoy the simple antics of these characters and have successful reading experiences.-Gale W. Sherman, Pocatello Public Library, ID

May 1, 1998
%% This is a multi-book review. SEE the title "I Like Mess" for next imprint and review text. %% ((Reviewed May 1, 1998))(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 1998, American Library Association.)

July 1, 1998
These simple, contrived, "phonic-based" stories are written for three different reading levels: preschool through third grade. The books have clean, open designs with overly posed photographs that feature kids often looking directly at the camera rather than at each other. Phonic guidelines are included to help parents read with their children. There are twelve titles in the series, four books for each reading level.

(Copyright 1998 by The Horn Book, Incorporated, Boston. All rights reserved.)