Reviewed by Christy Moore
Science Teacher 7th-8th
Be forewarned! Reading Seasons: Summer might leave you hot, thirsty, and ready to go swimming. Tanya Thayer uses strong photographs and short, simple sentences to describe changing seasons in the First Step series. Each short book incorporates the seasonal changes in nature with a child’s view of the world. Because seasonal changes are a common theme in primary programs (as well as a content area recommended by the National Science Education Standards), these books will be valuable to early elementary teachers.
Summer uses many familiar scenes to help young children conceptualize time and climate changes. Thayer depicts events that children will easily relate to , alternating nature happenings with subsequent human involvement. The author also includes a fun fact section dealing with different issues in each season.
Highlighted words in the text link are defined in a glossary, and each book ends with a graphic depiction and explanation of the science behind the seasons. This series would work well in a pre-K through first grade program. The author does a nice job presenting the nuances of fall, winter, spring, and summer in an attractive, readable way.
Review posted on 5/21/2002
|